Skippy - male/neutered - young (11 months) - Lab mix (?) best guess - small (30 pounds) - yellow medium length coat
Skippy is a slender, leggy young pup who looks almost exactly like a miniature Lab, and who is most likely a combination of several breeds - in other words - he's a fine mutt. Skippy was brought into care after keeping vigil for 3 days and nights at the end of a rural lane where he had been abandoned, and our organization sincerely thanks the farmer who alerted us to Skippy's need, as, often, the outcomes for abandoned dogs are not as happy as Skippy's.
Skippy came into rescue care with great relief and an even greater appetite, and while he was quite thin, he was in good health. Now fully vetted, Skippy has joined the routines of his foster home with his characteristic gusto - he plays with the resident dogs, explores his fenced yard, and revels in having his own food bowl, water bowl, and bed. He is an extremely tactile dog who loves being petted and held, and he is capable of the most amazing contortions as he tries to arrange for as much physical contact as he possible can - at these times he seems almost to be melting.
Skippy is a puppy, and his energy level is appropriate for his age. He is not high-strung or nervous, and he is primarily quiet - although at meal times he does tend to sing and chatter loudly in excitement. He is excellent about voicing his need to go outdoors to relieve himself, and he is fully house trained.
Skippy is excellent with other dogs, whom he seems to love, and if he is a bit excessive in his playful overtures, he is quick to roll over in response to a grumbled objection. He is also fine with cats, although he delights in chasing them if he can get them to run, so it is more accurate to say that he is great with dog-savvy cats. He rides beautifully and calmly in the car. Skippy still eats as if there were no tomorrow, and his food motivation makes him easy to train. He has a smart sit - almost the equivalent of a soldier snapping to attention - and he is extremely reward-motivated.
Skippy has had the considerable benefit of a training session with Pat Miller - when his foster parents recognized that they, and Skippy, needed help in guiding Skippy in how to meet new people. We do not know how or why Skippy developed the stress reaction he did to strangers; it took the form of excitable barking and even teeth-baring at times, which caused Skippy to appear threatening.
Skippy's stress is real at these times, although his threat is not - he calms quickly once given an opportunity to take food from a new person - and he has an amazing memory for every new person he has met. However, we are working on counter-conditioning to help Skippy overcome his stressed reaction in the first place, as we know that it will be better for Skippy, and we do not have enough time to introduce him to everyone in the world. And, while we all know that Skippy's reactions are a habit of excitability, and are completely bluster, the fact that he could be perceived by someone as threatening could put Skippy at risk.
We were not surprised by Pat Miller's prediction that Skippy could be a marvelous agility dog - we were surprised that she predicted he could be a wonderful therapy dog as well. However, a condition of adopting Skippy will be to participate in a session with Pat Miller in Fairplay, MD. Despite Skippy's progress with counter-conditioning regarding his reaction to strangers, it is possible that when he goes through the transition to a new home, he may regress somewhat, so we feel it is in the best interest of Skippy and his new adopter to be well-prepared.
Skippy would be a dream-dog for an individual who is committed to training, and we see no limit to how far he might go with positive training. He is already athletic, and he is fantastic with other dogs. He is a very responsive dog, a problem solver, completely good-natured, and he is, for all his difficulty with strangers, a trusting and loving fellow. He is a joy to train.
Skippy will require continuing training, support, and socialization, and he will flourish with love and encouragement. There are still both an innocence and vulnerability about Skippy that are very touching and endearing. He has been a beloved, if exhausting member of two different foster homes - one with three children - and both sets of fosters can say with complete conviction that Skippy does not have a mean bone in his body.
Skippy is a wonderful, unique puppy who will bond profoundly with his adopter(s). He will be a joy to train, and will bring ready friendship and devotion to his new home.
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