Good News #3: I got my new foster pup Parker today and it seems like he's getting use to the apartment and warming up to the family, while bonding with me. Parker came to us still very scared and skittish, his old foster "mom" did not socialize him at all. When pups are not socialized they become scared, unsure of themselves, and almost pathetic to watch. When dogs are socialized (with people) they become more open, happy, excited, and overall a great family pet, when they are exposed to other animals they become more sure of themselves, more playful, and like other animals over people... which is bad when it comes to trying to adopt out the dog. If the dog is unable to bond with the person (and of course everyone that walks into pet-smart expects the dog to bond to them immediately) they simply won't adopted that dog and look somewhere else. Although this is pretty bad news, there is always another side to look at, I get to be the one that socializes the dog and build up his self-esteem and character. This is exactly what I was able to do with Tut (my first foster pup- Parker and Tut actually came up together from the same shelter, at the same time, and were pretty much the same age. This shows how much socialization plays into training a dog and getting that dog ready for adoption).
So far today I was able to give him a bath (he needed it) and he was actually very good in the tub (he laid down at one point!). Took him outside and around the house, but he just pulled me back to the front door- it is incredible how smart these dogs are. Then while upstairs he would lay in his crate/pen for a couple of minutes, come out, walk around the apartment, then go back in the pen to lay down. Took him out again, he was better outside (but soooo alert), and when I opened the door to go upstairs he ran up and laid on the top step wagging his tail! That was the first tail wag all day. Now he's sleeping, hopefully he won't cry all night in the pen.
I have work tomorrow morning, but I will definitely be taking pictures of Parker, and will post them ASAP :)
Thanks for reading!
