small, fearful BC (mix?) at Delaware SPCA, Stanton, DE

[4dogart]

This small, young guy is only available to a rescue. He is extremely fearful and needs A LOT of work. I only had him out for the first time today, but we did make a tiny bit of progress: he became accustomed to my presence and let me walk him (albeit at the end of the leash). I'll continue to work with him this week and see what more I can find out about him. He's currently intact, but the shelter will neuter him before releasing him to rescue. If a rescue does not step up for this little guy, I expect he will be euthanized.

We don't know much about his background, but he was surrendered by a woman living in a homeless shelter. She said she was coming back for the dog but never did. Unfortunately, we don't even know his name.

I sure hope someone can step for this poor soul. Please contact the shelter directly: 302.998.2281; http://delspca.org

[4dogart]

We had a good day today! I brought him "special" treats (beef heart baked in garlic), and he liked them quite a bit. By the end of my visit, he was giving me reserved tail wags at the kennel door, taking treats from my hand, and even allowing his head to be touched. I also learned that he likes dogs and will introduce him to my very social, easygoing guy on Thurs.

I've uploaded a short video of the little guy: http://www.4dogart.com/duncan.mov. I let him loose in the pen, but with a long line behind him. He was aware of me but not attentive, though he did approach me a couple times.

PS
I should note that the shelter will consider prospective adopters who are referred by a reputable rescue. If you know anyone who is equipped to work with a dog like this--and might be interested in this guy--please have them contact the shelter. Thanks!

[4dogart]

Our little guy has a name--he is now officially Duncan!

And Duncan continues to do well. We had a great walk today. He explored new territory comfortably, even walked with his tail out for the first time. He encountered new people (at a short distance) w/o visible fear and trembling. He'll meet my boy tomorrow.

Some vital stats from his file... He is officially noted as a "removal." The woman he was with kept him in a cage, too small for him even to stand up. He had no water, but the cage was covered with a sleeping bag and plastic. The shelter aged him at about a year. He was given his combo vacc and tested HW-.

[4dogart]

Duncan got neutered yesterday! An opening came up in the surgery schedule, so the shelter gave it to him. The dog-to-dog meeting didn't go as planned since Duncan was still recovering from the anesthesia. He was clearly not dog aggressive with my dogs, though, just not up to socializing.

Overall, he's definitely coming out of his shell. He's become progressively better with the kennel staff: doesn't give them any trouble at all (he used to snap). He's comfortable being held, carried, and petted (at least by me). And he's walking with his tail out now--which is nice to see.

Given his progress, I didn't want this nor'easter we're having to hinder his success. SO... I brought him home for the weekend. Here in my house, he has an open crate in a pen and can interact with my dogs safely. He's set up in my family room, so he's right with us most of the time. My dogs are big and overwhelming to him, but he has shown a solid, even response to them. Depending how things go, I'll let him out of the pen with them. Not sure the yard is a good idea (not for a long while), but he's okay out there with my BC and BC mix who are younger and smaller than the shepherds.

He's done great so far. He let me know when he needed to go out, peed and pooped. And, right now, he's relaxing comfortably in the open crate. He's definitely looking to me for guidance at this point also. Will update more through the weekend. Looking forward to playing with him in the snow.

[Jedi's Mom]

Good for you for helping him out. I'm sure it will go a long way toward helping him find a home. He seems to have already made alot of progress. I love the name Duncan. Sounds like you've fallen for the little guy though.

[4dogart]

Haha! Yes, Jedi's Mom, I'm very taken with little Duncan. Unfortunately, there's no room at the inn! But I'll do all I can to get him adopted to a great home!

Speaking of great, he did a super job through the night. He seemed very comfortable in his pen and was quiet the whole night through. Also, no accidents! He waited to go out in the morning to do his business. (He ate a hearty dinner last night, too, btw.) Outside, he braved the snow like a trooper--even though it's as tall as he is--seems to enjoy it actually. I've just had him out by himself for now, but he has off-leash privileges in the yard and comes when he's called. He is easily distracted, however, so I have to make sure to have his attention when I call.

He seems to have a really nice personality. His temperament turns out to be solid. He knows his name, responds well to tone of voice, and is attentive. He will bark when he wants something, but stops after a little while when he is unsuccessful. He does want to play with the other dogs, but when I let him out of the pen, he's intimidated surrounded by the big dogs. He'll play in the snow later with the smaller dogs.

[4dogart]

Video of my dogs playing in the snow. Little Duncan's segment is about a minute into the video. Entire video's just under 3mins long.
http://theozhome.posterous.com/big-fun-in-big-snow-and-even-with-little-dunc

[4dogart]

The definitive Duncan video, says it all.
http://vimeo.com/9283969

[joe]

How cool is that, he looks like he's going to be a great little dog. He has come a long way with you already.

[Jedi's Mom]

Ahhhh....I loove Duncan!

[4dogart]

HELP! Duncan is back at my house. Sigh. I thought he might improve at the shelter since he did so well at my house last weekend, but I'm afraid that environment is just too stressful for him. His behavior declined over the week: he's become kennel aggressive with people walking by and has lunged and snapped at shelter staff. Once out of the kennel, however, he can be very nice when he gets to know you.

He definitely needs a rescue to step up for him or an experienced, BC-savvy adopter. If you check out his video that I posted above, you can see what a great dog he can be!

Please help! I'm not really able to foster this dog--but he's better off here at my house than at the shelter.

Thank you!!

[in2adventure]

Have you sent his info to Glen Highland Farms in NY?

[4dogart]

Have you sent his info to Glen Highland Farms in NY?

Yes, I'm afraid they're full. I contacted a number of rescues, only three have gotten back to me so far. One may actually be able to take him. Thanks!

[4dogart]

New video of Duncan! He's settling down very well, likes all the dogs, and has earned full house privileges now. He even ate his first chicken back today!

http://vimeo.com/9567559

[joshuawakefield]

What is the story with this fella? I checked the delspca.org website and he is not listed. Can you tell me what happened to him? I watched his video and thought he was a good looking boy...