Post #21- A Foster Story: Updates from the Fellas - Buster and Gunner

The Big Man Settles In

 

Uh-huh, uh-huh, and what happened next? I'm all ears!

Starting on night four, Buster decided there was no need for that nervous pacing at bedtime, so now he settles down right away with the rest of the pack, and we all have a peaceful night.  He’s earned the right to be loose in the house, too, both at night and while I’m away.  Seriously, have you ever seen a more dignified looking dog?  Of COURSE he’s trustworthy. 

He continues to take his self-appointed role of Supervisor-in-Chief pretty seriously.  The other night I had to cut the grass, and Buster followed closely behind the entire time!  Back and forth, back and forth, in 90 degree heat (which we know he doesn’t like!), making sure I was doing an adequate job.  Later, he kept a close eye on my laundry skills.  Whereas most dogs might give an interested glance into an open dryer door, Buster stuck his whole head in and took a good look around.  And wouldn’t you know, I had left a sock behind; he will surely never let me forget this. ;-)

Buster takes a good look

We walk a little farther every day and continue to work at getting his nails trimmed back to a healthy length.  Our next goal is to master the car ramp, so Buster can get out and about to meet his fans.  Look for that report in our next update.

Buster has settled in so easily, with little of the anxiety the other Fab Five have struggled with.  I can’t help wondering whether this is due to differences in personality, or perhaps because Buster experienced more varied living circumstances than the others did.  We’ll never know, and of course it doesn’t really matter.  Our focus is on the here and now, and our goal is to give each of these special dogs the brightest future possible.

            Gunner Doing Well 

 Gunner continues to make good progress.  He is learning how to play, and goes running through the house in the mornings and evenings picking up anything loose and running with it.  He will take anything with a rope and shake it!  He is starting to like tennis balls.  He has been introduced to some of my family members in our house this weekend on separate days, and after initially avoiding them, will come to them slowly.  He started protecting our house this week when someone came to our door, by letting out that wonderful deep GSD  bark.  He accomplished being able to go out into our fenced in back yard by himself.  It's amazing how much open space can intimidate a kenneled dog.  He was very unsure of our yard, and we would have to put him on a leash to get him to go outside .  Now he feels comfortable to go running down the steps into our yard alone.  Little steps, big progress!  He ALWAYS  likes to be close to our family, and gravitates to our older male GSD Brady.  Usually our fosters become infatuated with our princess Jade, but I believe Gunner likes our older, calm laid back dog since he was kenneled with his mother his whole life. He often looks to my dogs for direction.  He is still very gentle around my daughter and often looks at her in an inquisitive way when she starts playing in the house.  He continues to dislike his crate :).  We will work on introducing him to other children this week, and work on our sit command more.  He already knows " leave it" and will sit about 60% of the times he is asked.  He is VERY treat motivated, so combined with his smarts, should be easy to train now that he is relaxing more.