Samuel
American Bulldog | 1 year old | Male | 60 lbs
QUICK FACTS: ✔️ Good with dogs! ❌ No cats! ✔️ Walks well on leash ✔️ Crate training in progress! ✔️ Potty training in progress! ✔️ Loves to snuggle! ❌ Separation anxiety!
Check out a video of Samuel here!
Are you looking for a cross between a jogging buddy and a couch potato? A sweet snuggler and a master ball chaser? Samuel is the guy for you! Sam is a gentle but playful guy who needs someone to help him burn his energy then join him for a good nap. Hope you don't mind a few snores!
Since arriving to our house in late January, Samuel's personality has truly blossomed. He loves playing tug, chasing balls, and chewing his chew toys. He has even proven himself to be a good wrestling partner for our resident pup and is very tolerant of her persistent bids for play. Sometimes he thinks that the resident cats are just as excited to play chase, so he often needs redirection when sharing space with them. When meeting new people, Sam likes enough time and space to get curious, then he will approach for sniffs and pets -- and can be easily won over by whoever throws the first ball.
Sam is a quick learner - "sit" took him about 5 minutes and 6 pieces of beef liver to master. We're currently working on "come" and are excited to teach him more commands! He is a good leash-walker and has even enjoyed some jogs outside since the weather has warmed up. We're still working on potty training, but Sam is getting better by the day! He would love a home with a yard for potty breaks and play-times.
A typical day for Sam-boy includes a morning potty break, breakfast in his crate, and a walk followed by some indoor play-time. He spends most of his day enjoying (supervised) freedom, which he fills with adorable naps and self-directed play sessions. He has the occasional craving for chewing on "human things", but will readily accept a toy/chew upon redirection. Samuel goes in his crate for 2-3 hours a day and likes lots of boredom busters to keep him from getting nervous when he's left alone. Because his separation anxiety can result in barking, he may do best in a home without shared walls. He gets another long walk or outdoor playtime in the afternoon/evening, then thoroughly enjoys his dinner. He's content to hangout with his resident pet siblings and foster moms until bedtime, when he gets one final potty break and then settles into his dog bed for the night. Occasionally, Sam does need a mid-night potty break, but has been good about waking up his humans to go outside, then getting back in his bed to snooze until morning.
Overall, he is a bright, playful, sweet boy who would make an excellent addition to an active home!
2/29 Update -
Samuel is making excellent progress! Over the last few weeks he has become very comfortable in his crate and loves to cuddle up in there for naps. He still has some separation anxiety but we're continuing to work on building his confidence when he's home alone. He's also made leaps and bounds with his potty training. He knows that going potty outside is the goal and is getting better at telling us it's time for a potty break. Sam loves to work on training and now, in addition to "sit", he is rocking commands for "come", "down", "wait", and "kennel". What a star!
While Sam-boy is still a little weary of people and pets out on walks, he LOVES getting visitors to the house. He greets them at the door with a wagging tail and lots of sniffs. He loved having our friends corgi come visit and immediately wanted to play. When she wasn't quite ready to romp, he read her queues appropriately and gave her plenty of space. Such a respectful host!
Samuel reveals new loveable little quirks each day. We've discovered that Sam's sworn enemy is the acoustic guitar. For a brave guy who isn't even phased by the vacuum, we never would've thought a six-string would bring him to his knees! He is a very playful boy, and LOVES playing "soccer" out in the park. We think he could be Madison Forwards' #1 defender if they gave him a chance. He also enjoys playing with his "piggie" and "tuggie" inside, or chewing on a bone/chew. When he's tired out from playing, he naps -- and he naps hard! After dinner, you can find him snoozing in his doggy bed in the living room. When it's time for bed, he sometimes has us pull him -- doggy bed and all -- into the bedroom, like a kid who fell asleep on the car ride home. This same silly stubbornness sometimes meets us at the door. Before our bedtime potty break, Sam will lay down at the front door and play dead while we leash him up, until we eventually scoop him onto his feet -- then he's ready for action! We're so tickled by him!
Samuel would make an excellent family pet and is hoping for someone to throw the ball for him, pull the other end of his tug, and make sure he (and his bed) make it into their room for the night. He can't wait to love his forever family -- could that be you?!
