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| picture taken while he was at the shelter |
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| you can see how frightened he was :( |
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Pup-Date August 24, 2008
Mattie is making great progress.
He’s getting used to the idea that he is not the center of the universe, but he’s still prone to ‘drama queen’ moments. He’s not fighting his foster mom anymore and is looking for ways to be a good boy instead of a pain!
He’s learned sit, down, roll over, off and working on stay. He is getting very affectionate and wants to be wherever you are – whether it be on the couch, out in the yard, etc. Please note that he really can’t be trusted off leash.
Fully housebroken and has been thoroughly vetted.
He’ll make someone a very loyal companion. Will be active if his owners are active or sedate if they are. He doesn’t need entertainment, but loves to go walkies.
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Pup-Date May 29th
Mattie continues to receive training in his foster home. He tests everything, has temper tantrums, and certainly wouldn't
be reliable without a fenced in backyard. He can be nippy when he's upset, but we've been working on that. He essentially was given free rein in his original home and HE ran everything - no manners whatsoever, but he's learning. It takes time to undo 3 years worth of bad behavior caused by zero training.
He's a sweet boy and getting better all the time. He can be affectionate, but it's an active affection, not a "sit by you and gaze adoringly at you" affection. He wants walkies, runs and activity.
Fenced yard, no children, no other dogs (unless experienced dog/Sheltie person), and a committment to ongoing training are requirements for his adoption.
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UPDATE APRIL 30TH:
Evidently Mattie is used to having his own way ~ sort of a BRAT.
He's getting "tough love" training in his foster home. He has an alpha personality and would do well with the "NILIF' approach from his owners. [Nothing in Life is Free makes dog work for everything..... you want your dinner? then SIT; you want me to play fetch with you? then SIT ~ teaches manners, that YOU are the alpha, that sort of thing].
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April 25th
We're really not sure what happened with Mattie ~
Perhaps two months ago, his owners e-mailed & said they wanted to find a new home for him. They were instructed to fill out an owner surrender form and we were expecting that to happen.......
And the 3rd week of April we found Mattie's picture listed at a local shelter . He was very frightened, confused, and had evidently been there for about 2 weeks before we realized it !!!!
Since he's new to rescue, he will have a full vet evaluation, we'll watch his house manners, behaviour, etc. before we consider him ready for adoption. Quite a rocky start for the poor little guy ~ but he'll be fine now that he's in a home environment again.
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