Rocket is our new foster dog. He is supposed to be going to a new home in a week or so but may be with us for longer for training purposes. He is 10 months old and yesterday was his first time in a house EVER. He was neutered a few days ago and so is wearing a blow up collar to prevent him from licking his stitches. He was very scared of doorways the first night. He's pretty much over it now but little things like the freezer being opened surprise him and make him a little nervous. We are exposing him to pretty much anything we can think of that our own dogs are pretty neutral with to help him get over it. We have exposed him to the mixer, freezer/refrigerator door, hair dryer,etc. We act very happy, like they're the best things in the world and our dogs don't care so he learns not to care about them. He is learning things like not approaching the oven when it's open, it's okay to play with us, don't jump on people or older dogs(Elvis), sit and wait for food, etc. He'll basically have a foundation(at the least) for most normal doggy manners by the end of the week. He is a very sweet submissive boy. He was fed Ol'Roy at his old home . He got switched to a much better kibble and other than some soft stool is handling the switch just fine. He needs to gain about 5 lbs or so to be at the nice and lean but not too skinny stage. We keep our pups pretty lean to help prevent joint problems.

His old home got him as a pup and put him out in the backyard. He was fed crap food and never trained. I don't know what made them give him to a rescue but he'll be placed in a home that has some experience with dog behavioral issues. Of course they'll spoil him rotten too.

Here's a pic

Cathy, what a nice looking pup! Sounds like you are doing a great job to acclimate him.

Is he a boxer mix?

He is a cutie....and I think what you rescue folks do is wonderful stuff.



I have to say, I like the idea of that collar too...never seen them before and they look much more comfy for the dog that the cone collars.
Where do you get them? Vet only or are they available elsewhere too?

The donuts are great, Carol. So much better than those awful cones. You can get them at the big-box pet stores:

http://www.petco.com/product/100555/ProCollar.aspx

Bite-Not collars are also good, but more expensive. The body strap, I believe, is removable:

http://www.bitenot.com/index.html

 Quote: Sarah Morris

The donuts are great, Carol. So much better than those awful cones. You can get them at the big-box pet stores:

http://www.petco.com/product/100555/ProCollar.aspx

Bite-Not collars are also good, but more expensive. The body strap, I believe, is removable:

http://www.bitenot.com/index.html

WOW what awesome inventions!!!!
I am going to check one of them out today.

 Quote: Jeff Cambeis

 Quote: Sarah Morris

The donuts are great, Carol. So much better than those awful cones. You can get them at the big-box pet stores:

http://www.petco.com/product/100555/ProCollar.aspx

Bite-Not collars are also good, but more expensive. The body strap, I believe, is removable:

http://www.bitenot.com/index.html

WOW what awesome inventions!!!!
I am going to check one of them out today.

Me too... Thanks Sarah..

The Bite-Not collar is particularly nice for very large or very long-nosed dogs, who would otherwise need an enormous lamp shade-sized cone. And very few dogs seem to have a problem wearing them.

We are going to have to borrow a bite-not collar from someone as Mr.Flexible(aka Rocket) can reach past it. The only case where we used a lampshade was on Alistair when he had a large lump removed from his hip. We cut it down so it covered just enough and he could even use the doggy door or be crated with it on. Ali could reach past the bite-not collar. Boxers are so flexible LOL.

We can only foster young submissive males because of our pack. Elvis will NOT tolerate an older male challenging him and Xena doesn't like females of pretty much any age. We had an older male who worked out great but he was a VERY submissive boy who played very gently with both people and other dogs. I think a lot of people are too quick to say their dog won't tolerate a foster.

 Quote: lynne barrows

Cathy, what a nice looking pup! Sounds like you are doing a great job to acclimate him.

Is he a boxer mix?

He's pure but badly bred. His "stop" on the muzzle isn't as distinct as it should be.

Rocket LOVES the freezer now. He's gone from being scared of it opening to sticking his head inside to sneak in a face lick and see what wonderful thing you are taking out this time LOL. He's still not too sure about the mixer but I'm doing a cake decorating class so he'll get more practice on that.

 Quote: cathy goessman

He's pure but badly bred. His "stop" on the muzzle isn't as distinct as it should be.

I'd need to see a better picture of him, but a lot of breeders (mostly USA) that are breeding their stop to be TOO pronounced, and their muzzles' too short. The standard is for the muzzle to be 1/3 of the dogs' head. He looks adorable! (I'm partial to Boxers lol)