doug

-OTHER PETS: Doug was a little unsure at first when meeting another dog, but quickly warmed up and tried to play! He can play a little roughly, however, so a well-socialized dog of similar size and play style, able to manage a young dog's enthusiasm, would be ideal for him. In foster he spent some time with two large dogs who were both well-socialized, communicated well during play, and self-handicapped (made themselves smaller to accomodate him). [Case-By-Case (Must Meet First)]OWNER EXPERIENCE: Experience with Positive reinforcement or willingness to learn. Doug is a lovable and happy-go-lucky dog with a lot of love to give! He's perfectly happy to meet anyone, and will absolutely never turn down an offered treat. He's still a puppy and still has that signature adoesescent level of energy. Doug will do well with someone who's aware he'll need regular exercise, breaks during playtime, mental enrichment, and plenty of rest as he matures. [First Dog]KIDS: Doug is comfortable with handling but has shown some mild signs of resource-guarding (turning his head away and chewing faster when someone approaches) with treats like dried jerky or bones while at TJO. The best way to manage resource-guarding is by 'trading up' and exchanging an item of equal or higher value instead of removing a toy directly from a dog's mouth or paws. Tossing a treat to the side to pick something up is not only safer, it will help any dog feel more secure, and less worried about losing favorite items. As an adolescent he is still getting to know his own body and may accidentally knock kids over. He would likely be a good match for a family with older kids who understand how to be respectful and give him space. Minors and dogs must be actively supervised for everyone's safety. [15+ (Must Meet First)]ACTIVITY LEVEL: Doug is a playful young dog that is happy to participate in playtime, games, and one-on-one time! Despite his youthful energy, he does settle well on his own and is happy to curl up on a soft bed with his favorite people. Providing regular, appropriate exercise combined with mental enrichment such as food puzzles, games, and learning new tricks will help fully meet his needs. Because he's still developing, it's best to avoid repetitive, high impact activites and keep play sessions short with rest in between. While in foster he began to learn that jumping for treats meant a delay in getting the good stuff. Doug often sits patiently even in the presence of treats, and positive reinforcement will help him continue to build safe habits and create happy associations. [Good Walking Buddy]VETERINARY CARE: [Routine]LEVEL OF TRAINING NEEDED: Positive reinforcement will help Doug not only learn new skills and fun tricks but will help him continue to build confidence while developing a strong human-canine bond. Each new experience should go at his pace, and end on a good note.[Ongoing]GROOMING: Routine brushing will help to minimize shedding in the home. [Minimal]