Adopted Zero - courtesy post - SUMMIT DOG RESCUE

Meet Zero - courtesy post - adopted

Zero photo courtesy of Bex

Zero is a cute guy looking for a forever home. Here are some facts about him from his person:

Zero Basics

Food

Bathroom

Well house trained
Understands “bathroom” to pee during each walk
He prefers every 2.5-3 hrs., used to every 4 hour cycle during work week; has gone as long as 8 hours without accident
If there is distraction/stimulus, can be particular about where he goes (likes routine)
Excellent about communicating (mostly non-verbally) when he needs to go out

Personality

Very energetic, always wants to play & be involved; frequent “zoomies”
Extremely intelligent & willing to learn new tricks. Learns quickly and will do ‘high value’ tricks just to get more treats. Rarely frustrated by training process
When calm, generally very obedient except for bathtime!
Very sweet and caring, very sad/apologetic when you disappoint him and he knows
Incredibly loyal and always checking on every member of the “group” that he is with
Loves watching the outside world (windows/balconies with a sun spot are his favorite)
Loves tug of war, tearing cardboard or rope toys, playing fetch
- Knows “drop it”
- Usually knows how to differentiate “toy” from “box” (cardboard)
- Can be told to “go get” toy or box
Loves to sleep cuddled up with you on a couch at the end of the evening
Loves new friends (will jump on them to say hello) and is very energized by guests
Generally, obedient to humans he hasn’t met but who give him commands/walk habits he recognizes
Very “pawsy” and in your face with his affection (he likes licking your mouth more than any other place) and will let you know when he wants some love
Easy to get into a playful mode if you catch him in a rare moment of relaxing- always up for excitement
Really liked hiking but didn’t love the water (refused to go in passed his knees and hates baths)

Training Tools

Loose Leash walking to your left
- Constant reinforcement of “yes” and feeding him as he stays by your side or looks back
- If he pulls to the end of the leash, you stop & he will return to your left side most times automatically
- “With me” command if he is distracted or not returning to your side
“This Way” while walking him, he will turn 180 degrees with you and walk in other direction
“Find It” game to pull his distraction back to you/the ground
“Relax on a mat” game to calm him down during specific incidents at home or general calmness training
Initial muzzle training in progress

Tricks

Sit (closed fist)
Stay (open palm hand)
Down (horizontal hand motion down to the ground)
Come
Touch (palm of hand extended out to him, will touch his nose to it)
Off (when jumping on people - not his strongest)
Left/Right (when sitting - instead of “paw”. Knows when calm, less so when distracted and will just flail his best guess)
Spin (counterclockwise)
Other way (clockwise spin)
Yoga (does downward dog)
Crawl (after down, doesn’t love to do this one)

Challenges and Reactivity

Very reactive to other dogs, with barking, yanking on leash; might snap at anything close by (calves, the leash, etc.); remains agitated for 15-30 minutes
- Can be picked up carefully but will still be reactive in your arms
Remembers where he has seen other dogs and focuses intently on them when reintroduced to the area
If there are smells of other dogs or significant stimulus he will be difficult on the leash and only occasionally return to ‘loose leash’ form
Whines and yelps if he hears or sees someone he knows, but can’t say hi or if there is a group of people he wants to join
Barks at noises in apartment hallway/knocks on the door
Can be mouthy while playing, especially with new people
- Rarely more than playful chewing
- While playing tug of war can bite too hard when he’s worked up
Jumps on everyone and difficult to calm as they enter

Perfect Home

He must be the only pet
His new person(s) must have time and willingness to keep training
They should continue his crate training and muzzle training
He has a lot of energy, needs to be able to burn it off through safe and consistent exercise
Low stimulus house/neighborhood significantly better than an apartment/condo or a city location
A fenced-in backyard would be ideal

For more info, contact Michael: bologna.michael@gmail.com; or Bex: bex@noblebeastdogtraining.com