Teenager dogs, like teenager humans, can be challenging. They test limits, can be impulsive, and sometimes seem to have multiple personalities. They overreact, can be quite dramatic, messy, noisy, and contrary—unwilling to give you their attention because of all the other things calling to them.
Blarney is a teenager. So he’s a ton of fun, always ready for an adventure, but also a lot to manage. For the most part, he’s just blasted along following Amelia and Toothless. Amelia is older, wiser, so much more steady and mature. She is quick to call him out but also loves to run and rumble with him.
Toothless was only a puppy when he was here, so he was the perfect foil and sidekick for Blarney. With him gone, I have more time to focus on Blarney and I’ve realized that I should not have just assumed he was doing fine because he was more or less compliant in going in/out to potty, quietish in his crate, and seemed very happy.
Now I see that he is also very much into his teenagerhood. So, I’ve begun working with my little guy. I know the potential here. He is smart and happy and such a positive soul. I need to build him some guiderails and teach him how to self-regulate.
We are going slow. Just like I would with a puppy. Sitting calmly gets you rewarded. Not pulling on the leash means we can move forward. We are starting to learn go-to-place, which he is picking up at remarkable speed. He is an incredibly bright and eager student. He already knows sit, down, come, crate, and place. Stay is a work-in-progress. So is leash-training.
What he needs now is a family ready to continue his training and give him the steady love he craves. I know he would be a whiz kid at agility. I spent twenty minutes on a course with him, and he conquered multiple obstacles – even tunnels on the first try.
Here is a video of that day:
At just 28 pounds, he’s a great size. And while he probably couldn’t cohabitate with a cat, he does love kids and would be a fun family dog ready for any adventure.
I welcome any ideas you have for continuing to build this teenager into a good adult dog. I want to prepare him to succeed in his future adoptive home. He’s such a special guy and I know he will make someone super happy.
Meanwhile, Amelia is still here. Still steady. Still sweet. Still needing a person to call her own. She is wicked smart and I’m sure she could be a rock star at dog sports like flyball or agility for Fast Kat. She has so much focus, you could likely train her to do anything. Also, I’ve discovered she is a wonderful hiking buddy – steady and sure, not wandering to sniff nonstop (like my other hiking buddies). I’ve run with her also, which she does well unless the cows are near the fence, then its game over.
Here is a video I made of her yesterday:
And the puppies are growing. Roxy abruptly weaned them last weekend. She refuses to nurse them and just jumps away when they try. She will head back to her Maryland foster and eventually her adoptive home next week.
A few of my favorite puppy pics from this week. To see more pictures and live videos, visit Another Good Dog on facebook.
If you are local or want to make the road trip, the puppies would love visitors. They love people and need the attention/socialization. Their personalities are really starting to show and I’ll introduce you to them in the next few weeks. Lots of individuals, but gosh, the sweetest bunch – just like their mom and dad.
If you are interested in adopting one of these precious babes, click here to apply. They are available for adoption through Team Memphis Rescue & Support.
If you are interested in adopting Blarney or Amelia, click here for the adoption application.
And, of course, feel free to contact me with questions about any of these darlings. (fosterdogcottage@gmail.com)
If you or someone you know is looking to add a furry family member, please share the dogs and puppies in my foster cottage. I need help spreading the word! You can always find information about the dogs on this blog site (under the tab ‘foster dogs currently available for adoption’) and also on the Facebook page, Adoptable Dogs in Shenandoah County.
Until Each One Has a Home,
Cara
For information on my writing and books, visit CaraWrites.com.
If you’d like regular updates of all our foster dogs past and present, plus occasional dog care/training tips, be sure to join the Facebook group, Another Good Dog. And if you’re on TikTok, you can find regular videos of my current fosters, dog news/tips, and more if you follow me there.
And if you’d like to know where all these dogs come from and how you can help solve the crisis of too many unwanted dogs in our shelters, visit WhoWillLetTheDogsOut.org and subscribe to our blog, where we share stories of our travels to shelters, rescues, and dog pounds, plus ideas, solutions, and resources to help shelters save lives.
If you can’t get enough foster dog stories, check out my book: Another Good Dog: One Family and Fifty Foster Dogs. Or it’s a follow-up that takes you to the shelters in the south, One Hundred Dogs & Counting: One Woman, Ten Thousand Miles, and a Journey Into the Heart of Shelters and Rescues.
I love to hear from readers and dog-hearted people! Email me at carasueachterberg@gmail.com.
If you’d like to support the work we do (and save the rescue and me some money), shop our Amazon wishlist. We are currently in need of dog vitamins, canned pate dog and puppy food, probiotics, puppy toys (always), and salmon oil.
If you’d like to take a vacation with your whole pack, consider visiting one of our two dog-WELCOMING vacation rentals. Visit BringDogs.com to learn more.
Another Good Dog™ 