Dexter
Shepherd Mix | male | 11 months Old | 55 Lbs
QUICK FACTS: ✔️ Good with other dogs! ✔️ Crate trained! ✔️ Housebroken! ✔️ Good in car! ✔️ Good with kids! ✔️ Good with cats! ❌ Working on leash manners! ❌ No apartments!
Dexter found his forever home on April 6, 2022!
Updates
PUPDATE 2
Dex continues to be an absolute joy to have in the home. His goofy side has really begun to show now that he has been with his Wisconsin foster family for about a month. He shows off his toys joyfully, parading them high over his head with a big smile. He also likes to get his blankie out of his crate and carry it around with him. He makes us laugh all day long.
In the very early days Dex did some barking out the window at passersby, but he has grown much quieter now that he feels more secure and has adequate toys to play with in the home. His leash walking has also improved now that we regularly use a harness. Daily access to the neighbor's fenced yard has been wonderful for him, since he loves to race out his crazies and play fetch (he takes great pleasure in the running-after-the-stick part, and he sort of gets how the bringing-it-back part works).
At night right before bedtime, he goes out for his last potty of the day and takes care of business very quickly, which we really appreciate - it's only a one-minute trip outside on the leash, then he sleeps all night long on the armchair he has claimed in the bedroom.
Dex is a loving and devoted companion, wonderful for cuddling on the couch. He greets guests with adoration and everyone who meets him comments on what a wonderful, sweet boy he is.
PUPDATE 1
Dexter starts his day around 6am and goes for his first walk. He then eats breakfast (he's a snarfer - he'd do well with a slow-feeder bowl to extend his mealtime longer than 5 seconds) and plays with his toys. He goes out for another short walk about 90 minutes later, then into his crate for a few hours while his foster humans are at work or school. Around noon a family member comes home to walk him again, and he spends the rest of the day free roaming in the house. During the afternoon he sleeps on the couch or plays with his toys. Dinner is around 5pm, and he goes for two more walks before bedtime. In the evening he contentedly lies in front of the fireplace or on the couch with whoever is watching TV or reading.
Dex is a LOVE boy. His medical foster in Oklahoma and his pre-transport foster in Texas both rated him as their favorite foster dog ever, and we feel the same. He is the SWEETEST, most loving, gentle poochie who lives to drape himself on your lap and gaze lovingly into your eyes. He's extremely friendly to humans of all ages and genders and wants to meet everyone he sees and stick his nose directly in their faces to say a happy hello. He has velveteen ears that are so soft and wonderful to rub.
On walks, he can get a bit overexcited when a runner or biker passes close by, and he can bark/lunge a bit in his eagerness to interact. Training with treats (he's VERY food-motivated) and walking with a harness will help him stay focused.
Dex lives in a home with an 8-year old and accompanies his foster mom to school pickup, where he delightedly receives loving pets from kids of all ages. He is extremely sweet and tolerant of all kid antics. Because he is a fairly big dog and strong, he might knock over a toddler in his enthusiasm to give kisses. On the other hand, he'd definitely be happy to clean up all food the toddler throws on the floor.
Dex is medium/high energy and having only 3 legs doesn't slow him down one bit. He LOVES walks and pulls energetically on the leash (he does better with a harness). He also wants to meet everyone he sees, so he sometimes lunges toward other walkers in an attempt to meet and kiss them. He gets bored when not given enough playtime and exercise, and would do best in a house with a fenced yard that he had access to many times per day.
Dex LOVES other dogs. He lived with another dog in his previous foster home in Texas and played tug-of-war and chase with that dog. Here in Wisconsin he has met several neighbor dogs and loves romping around the yard with them. It's a great outlet for his energy. He'd enjoy living with another dog very much, or getting to spend time with dog neighbors for play.
He lives with a cat in his foster home. He does well with the cat, but occasionally wants to play (he gives enthusiastic play bows and has a tendency to chase a bit). Our cat is liberal with disciplinary smacks, and Dex has taken the instruction well. He has never tried to put his mouth on the cat or do anything that would endanger him. His previous foster in Texas also had a cat and said he was good with the cat but tried to play.
Dex goes into his crate when he's alone in the house, since he does like to pick up shoes and gnaw on them. He sleeps when he's in the crate and does not bark. However, we have only ever left him in the crate for around 3 hours at a time.
This dog is simply fantastic and he can't WAIT to join your family.