It seems this boy is a victim of circumstances, just doing what he was trained to do.

Last Updated: Feb 2, 2021

Base Info:

• Arrival date: Dec 28, 2020
• Breed: Chocolate Lab/Spaniel
• Sex: Male
• Age: Youth, Adult, Mature, Senior
• Birthdate: Dec 2017
• Weight: @ 70 Pounds on Dec 28
  .
• Neutered: Yes
• General Health: Excellent, Good, Fair, Poor
• Temperament: Sweet, affectionate, playful.  Hates confinement.
• SAFER Test performed: Yes – Passed
• Departure date: Jan 29: pulled by BePaws They Matter Animal Rescue

History

This boys owners asked their neighbor to shoot the dog because he was going over fences, charging people, fighting with other dogs and harassing their livestock.   The only thing we have seen to be true is the harassing livestock.  At some point, I assume it was his original owner, he lived with people who ran a rodeo and trained their dogs to herd the bulls and horses from one place to another.  So “harassing” livestock would be expected.  As to the rest, he seems quite gentle to us.  Val, the lady who rescued him for us, had him at their house for a couple of hours.  She has cats, she has dogs, she has kids.  She and her husband had no trouble with him except that he likes to sit ON people, not next to them.

Rugar’s Progress Summary:

Detailed notes on this foster dog’s progress are posted below the summary.

Relational Behavior

• Relates well to other dogs: Yes
• Can eat food/treats near other dogs: No food aggression noted
• Preferred style of play: Undetermined
• Is affectionate: Yes
• Is good with:
  . Men: Yes
  . Women: Yes
  . Children: Yes
  . Cats: Yes (as long as they don’t run: he’s a Lab!)
• Jumps up on people: A little
• Mouths: No
• Walks well on a leash: Yes

Commands:

• Comes when called: Not yet
• Sits on command: Yes
• Down / Off: Not yet
• Shake / Paw: Not yet
• Kennels on command: Yes

House Dog Training

• Willingly enters his crate: No
• Is calm/quiet while in crate: No
• Understands going outside to potty: Yes
  
• Alerts me of need to go outside: Yes
  
• Is destructive of bedding and/or toys: Yes
  
• Engages in kitchen counter cruising: No
  
• Stays off people furniture: No: foster parents allow him on the sofa.

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Medical Data

• DA2PPv: Dec 29, 2020 by PMFC
  .  1st Booster: January 19, 2021 by Stacy Dekker
  .  2nd Booster: Puppies only
• Bordatella: Dec 29, 2020
• Wormed: Dates | Product | Dose | By
  . Dec 29 to 31 | Fenbendazole | 14 ML | PMFC
• Rabies: Jan 12, 2021 (Claws and Paws 4 A Cause)
• Microchipped: Yes
  PetKey Not registered
  To register: https://www.freepetchipregistry.com/
• Spay/Neuter: Done before intake
• Heartworm Test: Jan. 12, 2021 – NEGATIVE
• Flea/Tick preventative:
  . Dec 29 Fipronil, 2.68 ML
  .
• Heartworm preventative:
  . Jan 19, 2021 Heartguard Plus
  .

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Gallery

In chronological order, newest at the bottom. Some pictures are linked to a more detailed Doggy Tale about that update, click those to open the related story.

Progress Updates

Progress notes are listed below, in chronological order, newest at the bottom so you can read through this dog’s history in order.

Dec 29

The first 24 hours have gone well.  Rugar’s neighbor, Blade, harasses him, but Rugar simply withdraws.  No retaliation.  When Blade is in a more congenial mood, Rugar goes over to touch noses with him and try to be friends.  They were “discussing” things yesterday evening, just barking at each other through their mutual kennel panel.  But they settled down and both slept through the night once “lights-out” came around.

Rugar refused to eat the dry food I gave him this morning.  I mixed a pouch meal in with it mid-morning and he gobbled that down.

I had Rugar in the yard this afternoon with Blondie Bear.  They were cordial to one another, then went their own ways.

Dennis is to pick him up this afternoon and take him home for fostering.

Jan 1

Rugar is settling in at his foster home.  There were some difficulties, mostly stemming from the fact that he is not accustomed to being in a house and that made him nervous.  But he seems to be coming to grips with that.

Jan 17

Rugar’s foster parents report that he gets along fine with their pack of dogs and is quite affectionate toward the people, but is averse to confinement.  Both work all day and Rugar stays in a kennel outside.  Or, he’s SUPPOSED to stay in a kennel outside.  But he has been finding ways to break out.

He never goes far, he greets them upon return, but it is clear this boy needs a higher level of daytime interaction.

Jan 23

Rugar came over for a visit today.  He was well behaved and calm.  His foster Dad says when he’s with them he’s a super sweet boy.  He likes to lay on the sofa with his head resting on Dennis’ leg.  He gets along great with their other dogs and their cats.  He just does not like being confined when they go away to work.  In the right home, this handsome fellow would make someone a wonderful, attentive companion.

Jan 29

Our rescue partner, BePaws They Matter Animal Rescue from New Jersey, was in the area today and called to say they’d like to pull Rugar and take him on their run … today.  That was sudden notice, but since there had been no serious interest from adopters, Dennis decided that would be a good thing for all.

So Rugar has gone north.  Happy travels big fella.  We hope you find the perfect home up there.

Feb 2

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