Prepping myself mentally and emotionally for the posibility of bringing home a new member of the domestic front tomorrow. Reading, scouring resources, stockpiling info into the brain-pan...it's been numerous years since I've dealt with puppy behavior issues, and I'm trying to be prepared. I've also come down with a case of the nerves - my stomach is all aflutter with excitement at bringing home a new buddy while at the same time maybe offering a better situation to a young dog that needs a different environment. But at the same time, there is some nervousness about "what if...this doesn't work?" I have to spend tomorrow being objective and a little guarded; otherwise, I risk becoming emotionally involved in a dog that just isn't the right fit for my family.
The current owners thought he was a "pit bull mix" (I swear that label and "lab mix" is applied to 90% of shelter dogs these days...). But when I look at the little guy, I don't see American Pit Bull terrier (edit: okay, maybe just a little smidge.). I see retriever (yes, it's there!). Specifically, since someone went to the trouble and expense of
neutering the pups (no, actually, the previous owner said that he was, but, nope!) and having their tails docked (this might have been one of those DIY rubberband-jobbies, actually),
what I see is a specific type of smooth-coated retriever bred for gun sports, to spot and/or retrieve overland game or waterfowl. He could very well be a non-typically colored lab (or he could be the ubiquitous "lab mix"), or, even possibly a Vizsla. (This little guy is 100% Heinz 57 All American Mutt. I'll call him a "Littlebitta Retreiver"...a little bit of this, a little bit of that...) I'll post photos of the new guy while we're spending the trial day with him at home, and get other people's opinions on his breed, but, really, only time will tell.
But what do YOU think?
Here are some resources I'll use in caring for & training our new dog:
http://www.thebark.com/
http://www.fidofriendly.com/
http://www.moderndogmagazine.com/
3 comments:
hows it been? little guy stay?
Going okay. Little guy is doing fair to middling. He's got a couple of key behavior issues (separation anxiety, but is anti-crate, and whines at night when confined to the kitchen, so I'm working on that issue), and he's NOT neutered, as were were told. We have a vet apptmt for him tomorrow afternoon for an exam and vaccinations (we have no clue if he ever got any vet care before now), and to schedule the snip. We'll see as we get into a routine and his personality comes out.
hows the guy now? hobblin? :(
he's got a beautfiful coloring. its like he's the same burnt honey color everywhere including his eyes! its gorge.
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