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f. I've been with my amazing foster family for just over two months now, and I'm learning so much every day!
Here's the thing about me - I spent most of my early life living outside, so even though I'm a year old now, I'm basically a big puppy in an adult boxer's body. I'm still figuring out this whole "living inside with people" thing, which means I have some puppy behaviors like potty accidents, jumping, chewing on things I shouldn't, and getting into everything. My future family needs to be patient and committed to helping me continue learning what's appropriate - think of me as a puppy in training, just a much bigger one!
Speaking of big - I'm STRONG. When I get the zoomies (which I love doing around the yard!), I can accidentally knock down an adult or crash into people's legs. If something scares me, I might jump into my people's legs for comfort. Because of my size, strength, and puppy-like behavior, I'm not suitable for families with small children. I need a home with older kids or adults who can handle my exuberance.
I'm still working on my manners - I do some puppy chewing (redirecting me to toys helps!), occasional puppy biting, and jumping. But I'm making progress! I mostly walk nicely on a leash now, and I ride like a champ in the car. I even went camping and on a road trip with my foster family and was easy to travel with - just make sure to bring me things to chew on during long car trips to keep me busy!
About potty training - I'm not quite there yet. I need to be supervised or crated when I'm in the house, and my foster mom keeps me tethered in the kitchen so I can't wander off and have an accident. I'm still wearing belly bands because I forget to signal when I need to go out. The good news? I do great on a regular potty schedule, just like a little puppy. My foster mom recently started crating me in the room where she's working, and I'm getting better about whining and getting restless when I need to go outside. My family will need to be patient and stick with this routine.
I can be crated when you leave, but not for super long periods - I get bored and might chew my dog bed. I'm learning, but I need reasonable expectations for crate time. The good news is that I sleep overnight nicely in my crate without any issues!
I absolutely love living with my foster brother! Having a dog buddy is the best. I do still have those annoying puppy behaviors, so I need a tolerant dog friend - ideally a confident one who can show me that the world isn't so scary. Going to the dog park with my foster brother to run and play as much as I want? That's my favorite thing ever!
I'm still very shy when meeting new people, especially men. It takes me a while to warm up and feel comfortable. My foster mom is my person - I'm her shadow, and I look to her for help when I get scared. I'll hide behind her if something spooks me, and I still get startled by things I haven't seen before.
But here's what I want you to know - I want to be with my people (or my dog buddy) ALL the time. I'll cry when I'm not with them because I love companionship so much. I'm making real progress, and with the right family who understands I'm essentially a puppy in a big dog's body, I know I can become an amazing companion.
My ideal home has patient, committed adults who are ready to continue my training journey. A confident dog friend would be wonderful. Someone who can give me a regular routine, plenty of outdoor time for zoomies, and lots of love while I learn the ropes. Oh, and treats - still love those treats!
If you're looking for a dog with a huge heart who just needs time, patience, and guidance to reach his full potential, I might be your guy. Let's get to know each other - I promise I'm worth the effort!