Baxter
Hound Mix | 4 Years Old | Male | 43.4 lbs
QUICK FACTS: ✔️ Good with other dogs! ✔️ Good with cats! ✔️ Crate trained! ✔️ Potty training in progress! ✔️ Walks well on leash! ✔️Good in the car! ✔️Good running partner! ❌ No apartments
Check out videos of Baxter here and here!
Baxter is a hound mix that is listed at 4 years old but I think he’s more of an adolescent around 2 years old because he gets distracted easily and his teeth look young. If I had to guess which breeds he most resembles I would say he’s potentially a plot walker hound which is a Treeing Walker Coonhound x Plott Hound mix, possibly greyhound or pointer. He came up from our rescue partner in Alabama and they said he was getting used to regular meals so he was probably dumped or found on the street. Baxter was fostered with Faylene (Blue tick coonhound mix) who found her forever home. When Fayleye was here most of the they were playing with each other and at the end of the day they would cuddle.
Because Baxter was most likely a street dog that didn’t live in the human world everything is new to him and he’ll need a little encouragement and a little more training. He’s extremely smart and is learning fast and getting used to life in a home. Baxter is doing great on his own and would also do great with a non-dominant dog. I say non-dominant because when he plays he’ll jump over the other dog’s back which can be a sign of dominance and a dominant dog may not like that.
Energy Level:
He has a medium to medium high energy level and currently enjoys a daily 1.3 mile walk either on his own or we will go hiking 3-5 miles on the weekend at a state park or just around the neighborhood. His leash manner are improving quite a bit. He’s a petite 43.4 pounds and easy to handle but he’s underweight and probably needs to gain 10 pounds. Most of the time he likes to keep moving so he could potentially make a good running partner. When walked with his foster sister they were pretty good at going in the same direction but hound noses have them stop to smell once in a while and sometimes in the opposite directions.
I’ve started run walking with the Baxter on our outings and Baxter would make an excellent running partner, you may just need to build up his endurance since I’m just starting. He likes to just go and can easily trot along next to you.
Training:
Baxter isn’t extremely food motivated but he loves fresh pet and his dog food and has started picking up commands. Currently he knows the commands: sit, come, leave it, wait. We will continue working on other commands. Peanut butter isn’t his favorite but he will eat it once in a while. He loves his dog food in snuffle mats, and he’ll eat a bully stick after a few minutes of knowing it’s ok to take it. He is not an aggressive chewer and treats last him quite a bit of time (9-12” bully sticks last 1-2 hours!). He’s not huge on dog toys but will carry around his lamb chop toy after a good walk or hike. He has not destroyed a single toy! Baxter will get excited or get into mischief if you aren’t watching so it’s best to pick up your shoes/slippers, power chargers, remotes and the dog harness.
Crate Training/ Potty training:
Baxter is crate trained and is quiet in his crate while I’m away at work during the day but will vocalize once in a great while. I do let Baxter free roam when I’m in the shower and he usually just goes and lays on the bed. He was a street dog and is learning what it’s like to live in a home so every once in a while he’ll get into trouble. At night he can either sleep in his crate or your bed. He’s a great sleeper and doesn’t move much at night! We are working on potty training and he can hold it through the night. Right now he is sleeping until just before 7am and then we get up and start our day.
Dogs:
As for dogs, Baxter loved his foster sister and would play with her all day. When we see other dogs out on a walk he just wants to stop and stare and he’ll just walk by or he’ll whine to meet them. Every dog he’s met out on a walk has been great. When he sees dogs or neighbors through the backyard fence he can bark a lot but can be re-directed with a high value treat like fresh pet or his dog food. Sometimes I’ll toss the treats on the ground to make him search for them and that typically does the trick.
Cats:
At his foster home there are two young cats. He will go up and sniff them and then pace and whine. He will leave them alone most of the time. If the cat runs (I have a cat that likes to be chased) he will chase after the cat but not hurt them. I think it’s just a game of chase. One of my cats has claws and doesn’t like to play with the him as much. The cat will hiss at Baxter and Baxter knows to just walk away. My cats freely roam the house and aren’t scared of the dogs and they trusted the dogs within a week of them being here.
Kids:
He has met kids out on walks (5years is to teenager) and just stood quietly while they pet him. He is a happy dog and loves every person he meets. Baxter is very athletic and will gracefully leap around and over his foster sister’s back. He will also gracefully or not so gracefully jump right into you when he’s excited and playing. For this reason, young kids would not be recommended because they would most likely get run into and knocked down. Baxter has a lot of puppy in him and he isn’t always aware of his surroundings. Older dog savvy kids would be fine.
Potty Training:
Baxter is not house trained. And we are working on living in the human world. He will pace around the house and whine when he has to go out. He’s been doing much better with potty training as a single dog because he doesn’t get distracted with playing with his foster sister. He gets excited when he pees and poops outside and will come right up to me for his treat. He just doesn’t always understand he shouldn’t go in the house but we currently have quite a few days where he’s accident free so he’s on his way! Baxter has had a severe case of hookworms so as he’s starting to feel better he’s doing better with potty training. He will not have any accidents in his kennel so using that to prevent accidents will work if you are unable to watch him.
Car Rides:
Baxter loves car rides. He’ll just sit in the back seat and curl up into a tiny ball or just sit and look out the window.
Baxter is an amazing dog and anyone would be privileged to have him in your life. He stole my heart the day I brought him home. He’s a dog that will adapt to your lifestyle and not need a long walk each day but loves long walks when you are ready for them. He has kept me active and gives me a reason to go out and enjoy this beautiful weather. He’s truly an adventure buddy. He’s sweet, shy, gentle and so kind hearted.
