Scamp Update

Scamp is pretty awesome. He is happy, playful, curious, and an easy dog to live with. He barely ever barks, is great on a leash, has a fabulous recall and is great with dogs, cats, and people.  He can still be a bit worried about men, or if people approach him too fast- but he recovers fast and is easily bribed with food and a good boy. He is very sweet and affectionate- he loves to cuddle, and thinks he is a lap dog. He is a people dog and likes to please. He has the cutest happy dance when he's excited and will jump up and down with his front feet and wiggle. It is adorable and very charming.

Scamp loves to play- with you or a toy. If you run he will gallop beside you springing in the air. He'll fetch pretty well any toy but has his favorites (he really loves this blue squeaky hedgehog..)

 At the beginning of this journey with him I wasn't sure if he would be suitable for dog sports or not- but I actually think he would do pretty great. He is keen to learn (he's figured it out. lol), and is pretty athletic. He is excited to play and will fetch and tug now even in new places. I think he has quite a large amount of drive hidden in there. The trick will be the right person to take the time to bring out the best in him. It will be a bit of a process though.

As of right now he is more than ready to live as a normal dog- he is used to regular house things, is completely housetrained, crate trained, and is well behaved. I am very particular about where my project foster dogs go. I've put a lot of work into him and he really deserves a great home. So if you're interested send me an email, or if you know someone who might be pass them the link!

he looks very whippet like in this photo. lol. i assure you he is all border collie!

Scamp Update

Love at first Bite, originally uploaded by manymuddypaws.

Just a short post. He's awesome. ;)

Seriously- the more he settles in the cooler he becomes. He is still not into learning things like sit and down...but otherwise is a very fun dog.

He can tug now
Will fetch almost anything
Likes to play with dogs
Completely housetrained
Doesn't bark
Walks nice on a leash
Loves kitties
Is awesome with dogs
Is getting more and more friendly with people.

This is him and his new friend Neena. (Scamp is the one in front with his head turned.. and yes, the do look very similar...)

Scamp and his Sheep

He may not care much for real sheep, but let me tell you that Scamp LOVES his pink sheepie. It is his toy of choice, and he happily carries it around the house. He loves toys, and likes for his favorites to be neatly arranged in a pile on the couch. If another dog comes and takes one he will look around the house for it, and put it back to it's rightful spot. It cracks me up.

The other day I taught him to fetch, okay maybe taught is the wrong word. Three times in a row he brought me his green squeaky ball and I threw it and he brought it back. That's how a border collie learns apparently. Today we started tugging- just gentle little tugs and then I let him run away happily with the sheep.

Scamp is an interesting dog. I've really enjoyed watching him figure out stuff, and come out of his shell. Gone are the worried eyes. He is happy, playful, and fun. Although I said in my previous blog that he didn't appear to be very smart, I take that back. It's not that he is not smart, he just doesn't really know how to learn stuff. But that's coming right along. He likes the clicker now so I am going to spend some time today teaching him to learn.

He is a great in the house dog.  quiet most of the time, but will bark if someone comes to the door, or if he is really excited. He has the best happy dance ever- legs out, toes splayed, and his whole body wiggles and wags. It is very adorable. He has not pee'd in the house in almost a week!! He doesn't know to ask to go out, but he certainly knows that I was not happy about his choice of pee spots on the couch and on the door...

Jenny and I were talking the other day about him, and his parents. It's interesting that such a well bred sheep dog just didn't care enough to work. Genetics are an interesting thing, of which I know nothing about. lol.  Apparently the only thing he did inherit from his dad is Cat Watching. It's a sport around here. I am moving him to a hard crate today so that he can only watch him in one direction when I am not home. lol.

Scamp is awesome on leash- and is very excited to go places. Today we are going to go to some Pet Stores. Hopefully he will not feel the need to mark anything. I'll be taking along some yummy treats to keep his attention on me! I am thrilled with the progress he has made in such a short time. He really is mostly just normal.

Edited to add: Scamp's Pet Store Adventure

I took Scamp to two different pet stores today and he did pretty good. The first store was quiet, so he settled pretty quickly. Sudden noises were alarming for him, but he was willing to take cookies, and I even got a tail wag. The other pet store was much busier- and it took him about 15 minutes to settle enough to take a treat from me. We walked around, and he met a nice lady who gave him lots of cookies ;). By the end of the visit he was pretty relaxed, and had nice happy ears. We didn't run into any men at either pet store though, so this week we will be on the search for men. lol. And I'm going to bring him out to the agility barn too- lots of dog saavy people, and dogs, and noise. Slowly but surely Scamp's going to learn to be a city dog!

Scamp

Last week I came home from Sheepherding with an extra passenger. Something black and white, with a pointy nose, funny ears, and cute feet. His name is Scamp. And he is a herding washout.

 He is just too soft, with not enough desire to herd. When the going gets tough, Scamp leaves the field. lol. Which is no good if you were born to be a super herding dog. So here he is. In a city, learning how to be a city dog. Once he's finished with his city-dog-lessons he will be ready for a home of his own.

He's been here a week and so far he's learned three things

where the cookie jar is (very important!)

the couch is not a tree, and should not be pee'd on (also very important)

that the little black and white dog is not your friend (probably the most important)

I debated changing his name, but whoever adopts him likely will change it anyway- so why put the poor dude through two name changes. Besides Scamp kinda suits him. For a day he was Scout, and then for a few days he was Whiz because he really likes to pee on stuff. But Scamp is what comes out most of the time now. So Scamp it is. Although Whiz was cute too. I don't anticipate him being around too long so it doesn't matter too much, I don't have to like it! Unlike Davie, my last herding washout foster, he doesn't have that super sensitive side and will be an easy dog to find the right home for.

He really is a good boy- and in a week has come out of his shell a lot. The progress from shell shocked farm boy to confident city slicker won't be long. I've started some clicker work with him. Right now we are still pairing the click with the cookie, but I hope to start some shaping games with him this week.  He doesn't know anything really except his name. And no. He knows what that means already. Pisser. Oh, and he is getting neutered tomorrow, so I expect the peeing to reduce dramatically. It's the only thing about him that I don't like.

In the week I've had Scamp I've learned a few thing about him.
He is very happy, and wiggly, and cute.

He has a fantastic recall

He prefers crunchy cookies over soft treats

He rarely ever barks

I am not sure he is the smartest kid in the playground, but his sweetness makes up for it.

He really likes plush toys.

He has a healthy respect for kitties.

He doesn't like to get in trouble.

He learns fast. (nearly housetrained in a week!)

He is not afraid of stuff, and is very curious

Below is a very short video (taken with my iphone) of Scamp with the only kind of sheep he likes. The stuffed kind. ;)

As I mentioned I don't think it will be long before he ready for a home to call his own. So if you know anyone- spread the word!