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2-Week Foster Home Evaluation for "Champ" - ARPH # 10158

ARPH Foster Home: Janis Kenderdine

Summary

Champ is an absolute sweetheart. He's fairly low-key for an Aussie, but is still a puppy and likes to play, and is extremely affectionate. It's because of this that his last home wasn't "right" for him.

Early Background

Champ's parents (Jake & Jasmine) were working dogs at the "Turn About Ranch" in Utah. Addresses and phone numbers have been provided for further research into this. The family saw the litter of puppies while there on a family trip in March. Allegedly later, in April when the puppies were 4 months old, coyotes came down from the mountains and killed several of the ranch's livestock, including some of the puppies, so they sought homes for the rest of the pups, and this family bought Champ in May.

His Former Life

The family that had him also had an older (7-8 yr. old) male golden retriever whom he wanted to play with, and while he was a small puppy, the dog put up with him. But as Champ grew to an adolescent (and the family didn't get him neutered) the older dog felt threatened by him when he wanted to play and started chomping Champ. Through this time, the family didn't appear to have trained either dog, referee or otherwise pay much attention to him beyond basic housebreaking and family-manners. (He has good table-manners and stays off the furniture, but didn't even know "sit" initially).

His Current Life

Champ enjoys playing with our 14 month old female Aussie, often wearing out long before she does, and will quietly chew on his rope bone while she sits on his head. While he's allegedly chewed furniture at the former house (where there were no observable dog-toys) he has not chewed any furniture here, although he does exhibit some tendencies to obsessively rip/tear at his toys unless redirected. Plush toys won't last long - rope-bones and rubber balls fare the best.

Temperament

Champ is a very loving boy, and would potentially make a very good therapy dog. He is easy-going, and not bothered by sights, sounds, poking or prodding. He is very soft, affectionate and seeks attention, but not clingy "velcro" per-se. He shows some separation anxiety by whining when left in his crate without companionship, but willingly goes in it and sits nicely while you close the door (as long as he's rewarded). Overall he's an extremely quiet dog, only whimpering when left in the crate, and sometimes barking when happy to see you.

Champ enjoys going for drives in the car, and seems to like other dogs, although the puppy in him immediately makes him want to play with them, which can prove unnerving to the other dog as physically he's adult-sized -- socialization is needed.

Physical

He is a dark mahogany red-tri with ticking on his nose and front paw, and a white blaze up his nose. He is handsome with matching amber eyes, although somewhat big-boned and a bit long (could be growth-spurt awkwardness). He has a small scar on his nose, and an almost invisible scar on the top of his head where the golden retriever bit him, as well as scabs that are finally coming off on his shoulder and back of head. We pulled one tick off his neck, but haven't found any others and have treated him with Advantix. He has a natural bob-tail that looks like a feather-duster, and dew-claws on his front feet.

Vetting

Vetting is current, and he's deemed healthy. Neutering was completed on Nov. 21st. He is currently on antibiotics and pain medicine for that. He was also microchipped at this time. He's approximately 50 lbs.

Intelligence

Champ has average Aussie intelligence, learning commands fairly easily (without distractions of other dogs around), and with an eagerness to please. However, he seems a bit "slower" in that he obviously has not had his brain flexed, and has been "a dog" too long and looks to his (dog) peers for cues over humans (although readily accepts humans as "alpha" dog.) This may be either from living with another dog and/or being largely ignored except for the occasional pat on the head. He has brains, but seems to have absorbed a lot of "golden retriever" personality from his former housemate, so comes off as kind of slow but lovable, when in fact he is quite intelligent.

Ideal Family

A family with children who are not toddlers may be best. A family where there is a "shepherd figure" to mentor and spend time training him, but also wants a gentle family-dog to be good with kids and their friends. He's gentle enough for small children, but may want to play with them as playmates - not sure. He'd probably be ok with cats, but again - not sure, as we have none. He gets along with other dogs, but will want to play with them, and can be a bit rough and "puppy". If the other dog doesn't mind (like mine) this could be ok, but may require some refereeing from the family.

I think he would reach his most potential as an only dog, but may get lonely without a "friend" unless there is someone home most of the time. He would probably do well as a "family dog" rather than a "working" or "performance" dog as well, given his gentle nature and laid-back disposition. However, he will need an outlet for his Aussieness, or he may get obsessive about chewing/tearing things. He has the potential to make an excellent therapy dog.

He may also do well with a single person who works at home, retirees or older adults who want an intelligent dog, but somewhat lower-key. Anyone who wants to walk him, however, would need to further leash-train him or use a head-collar as he's quite strong!

Routine

Champ wakes up with the household at about 8am, and remains in the crate while people shower and dress. Then he is let out, and goes outside to go to the bathroom. Upon returning, he remains with his people while they eat breakfast and get ready to go to work, and they do some training with him. He is then returned to his crate (at about 9) where he willingly goes in and sits down while we close the door (and then reward him with a milkbone). He still whines a bit at this, but will nap with Sunny through the day until people return from work at about 5:30. If someone works from home, they will remain with the people, playing sometimes, following them around the house, but mostly quietly napping.

Dinner is once a day at 5:30pm - 2 heaping cups of Purina One lamb & rice. Champ has been trained to 'sit' and wait patiently for his dinner to be placed in front of him, and is not allowed to have it until we give him the release command "Ok" and point at the food.
Bathroom break follows dinner.
Some training, then play with Sunny until bedtime about 11pm. Sometimes if they get too rowdy, we will each take one dog with us (Matt brings one to his hobby room upstairs where he works and watches T.V. and I'll have one downstairs where I work/watch T.V.) Either of us will do some minor training. Basic obedience commands are used throughout the day - sit, stay, down, come.

Punishment

Champ must lie down and 'stay' wherever he is until we tell him he is released (about 5 minutes). Then we will tell him to lie on his back and will give him a belly-rub for accepting his punishment and submitting to us, after which he is allowed to move freely again. He submits easily (to humans) and is very passive and non-confrontational.

Photos at: http://www.fifegeek.com/photos/index.php?cat=34

--Janis Kenderdine
ARPH Foster Home