Update 02/26 - Wallace is EXACTLY why rescue organizations do what we do. He had his first half day of doggy daycare this week and he was phenomenal. He played appropriately and was referred to as "the big goob".  He's feeling great in his new skin and absolutely loves to play with other dogs. Wally's foster mom and dad have worked really hard to teach him to trust and that is exactly what he is doing. He's a very affectionate boy and wonderfully social. He's very lucky that his foster family has worked to teach him right from wrong and always give him positive reinforcement when he makes good choices. He is still fed separately from the other dogs and we would recommend that his new forever home continue this routine as well. For dogs, it's a matter of respect at the food dish. He is no longer guarding and he has settled in very nicely. He would be a wonderful addition to any family. 

Wallace is a 1yo male piebald Great Dane that was surrendered to a shelter because he didn't get along with the dogs in his household and because he got TOO BIG! At 1 year old, he has never seen a vet and is lyme positive. He hasn't had a stitch of training and his canine social manners have flown out the window!. We will be initiating NILIF (Nothing In Life Is Free) with Wallace to set limits, boundaries, and expectations. He will be corrected for inappropriate behavior and given lots of praise and rewards for good behavior. We will also start leash training using a Gentle Leader. He is a big dude already. He's new to rescue, stay tuned for more to come.

This dog will be adopted to Maine or New Hampshire only. Our dogs are not in kennels. Before we allow a personal visit, an approved application and a home visit must be completed. All of our dogs are up to date on vaccines, on heartworm prevention, spayed/neutered, are microchipped, and come with 30 days of health insurance.

Update 02/07 - Well, Wallace has been in rescue for just over a week now. He was given up because he didn't get along with the other dogs in his home, especially around his food dish. As a reminder, Wallace was not neutered and lyme +.  He also has really bad infections in both of his ears. We don't know about the rest of the world but when we don't feel good, pleasant would be the last word used to describe our demeanor.  What this tells us is that Wallace may tend to guard resources that are prized to him, especially those items considered "highly" prized. All dogs guard resources, they just do it to different items and at different levels. 

Dogs also need to learn where they belong in a pack, whether it be with humans, dogs, or both.  They need limits, rules, guidelines, and expectations set on them just like we do.  If not, dogs can think they should be the pack leader in the house.  Right now, Wallace is healing up from his neuter and his ear infections are well on their way to healing. He has made tremendous progress in only one week. He just had his 2 hour evaluation with a trainer who is helping to reinforce calmness and rules with Wallace. While foster dogs are fed separately from resident dogs, this helps Wallace understand that his food is his and it will come at regular intervals. His foster parents are hand feeding him so that he knows his humans are there to support him and feed him and that he can trust them.  His good calm behavior is rewarded both with treats, touch, and praise. His foster mom refers to him as a marshmallow, kind of fitting for his color.  Sometimes people get a dog to breed and when they don't put the time into them and they become too much to handle, they end up at a shelter. We don't know if that's what happened with Wallace but that could have been the case. He is unbelievably smart and sweet. If he continues to make this kind of progress after only one week, we can only imagine what kind of dog he will be.  He is learning to play nicely with the resident dog and share toys, something we don't think he knew much about.  Wallace will need someone who is comfortable setting rules and expectations with their dog.  He is not a dog that should be allowed to do whatever he wants. That would be much too confusing for him. 

Update 02/19 - What a beautiful soul this guy is! While exuberant, he is very social and playful. He loves the company of humans and hasn't met anyone he doesn't like.  His tendency to guard things has greatly diminished; he will steal a toy occasionally but is glad to share what he has. Wally recently had a sleepover and absolutely loved the playful nature of the other dog.  We updated his pics so everybody could see what a smart guy he is. His ears are almost completely healed so we know now he is feeling much better.  He just needed a little TLC, structure, and exercise. Wally, you've come a long way baby!