Champ

2/10/04 - Champ has been adopted

1/30/04 - Champ is pending adoption.

1/18/04 - I have invested in a trainer and we are working on Champ's socialization which will take more work. I can say at this time that she is not ready for a dog park. We had our first training with a cat and another dog and , although not hopeless, it will take more work and that is from the trainer himself. Champ has been with me two months and we are walking well and we are working on obedience. At this point she needs an experienced dog person with a fenced yard and no cats. The dog park would be very difficult at this time to quote my trainer "you are not there yet". She does very well with my dogs and, with reinforcement, able to walk with another dog on the other side of the street.

Champ has stopped pacing, is sleeping on the couch nose to nose with my Dalmatian and obeying basic obedience. She is on a regular schedule that includes the crate during the day and through the night. She does not chew, still toys, clothes or shoes. She is a love muffin full of hugs and kisses - but having never been socialized she is not good with new introductions. She has never been aggressive even when I brought her home to meet my two. She was a normal dog who found her way in the pack. Other dogs make her very nervous and she does not know how to act. When on lead and told to heel she will but she is very nervous. I will not write her off - she has to learn to behave with other dogs and she is. I am working with a very experienced and respected trainer who is introducing us to other animals so this will be fixed with behavior modification - but three years to get her here will take time to get her out of this.

She's a great dog and she deserves a wonderful home and I am committed to finding it. She is scheduled to be spayed on February 10 (she went into heat three weeks ago) and has passed her heart worm test. I do not think a home that depends on a dog park is a good match.

1/6/04 - Champ is turning into a real baby - now she is sleeping with Doug, curling on the couch and cannot get enough of the humans in the house and I though my Dali was a Velcro dog, this one is worst of all, she has the cutest way of crawling onto the couch and bed, as if to appear not to be obvious. I have been reading more on the boxers and she seems to be exhibiting their traits. We are scheduling group classes to assist in her socialization. This is a great dog who will make a great pet and thanks to you and your group - I hope soon after her surgery.

1/1/04 - Hello, this is Champ who was used to be called Tramp. The story is all too familiar - purchase a dog and within a few months realize that the dog has too much energy to live in the house – live in the country so tie her to a tree. Feed her when the spirit moves you and don’t let her in even on the coldest nights or the hottest days. Imagine being tied to a tree and a sitting duck for all the critters that come by. Well, that has been Champ’s life until Saturday, November 29th. Champ’s savior was my partner, Doug, who loves boxers and has been drawn to this pooch since he first met her over two years ago. Now his Mum is renting from Champ’s former owner and he and I were able to persuade her to give up the dog and he was able to convince me to foster her.
Champ is currently sharing her life with another three year old, Zoë, the Dalmatian and an eleven year old golden retriever, Cali. Champ has adjusted well to her housemates – no food aggression, shares her toys and has someone to play with. Best of all Champ is crate trained and house broken and we are currently scheduled for spay surgery on January 6, 2004.
Champ is affectionate and gentle and I call her the Velcro dog – not a moment that she is not with me – resting on my feet when watching TV, under the desk when I am on the computer and under my feet when I dry my hair. Her only fault – she does not like cats – so she will be happiest in a cat free home. Champ loves being indoors and loves her evening walks. Were it not for a full house with 2 dogs and 2 cats I would provide the forever home to Champ but Cali is old and not well and a young spirited pup is a little more than she needs to deal with at this time. Cali has a surgery date of her own and a long recuperation.
I enjoy every moment with this pupper and look forward to her finding a forever home with someone who has nothing but love to give. She will be your best friend and your best ally. While we wait for a home Champ is in training and working hard. This is a very intelligent little girl who is already sitting, holding and stays (by your side). I am amazed at how quickly she has learned and how intelligent she is – just the best dog she can be.
Champ is good with children, adults and, with proper introduction, another dog - she is living with my two (a Dalmatian and golden). Champ cannot live with cats - she chases them and I do not know what she would do if she caught one.
I am training her and am working with an animal behaviorist. Champ will need continued training. I have had her a month and she no longer pulls when walking, has to be told to sit and hold when another dog comes by. Will sit and hold on command with the six foot lead.
She is crate trained and house trained. Velcro dog who will do very well with a dog lover. She is a quick learn and responds well to command and needs a fenced yard. She is a warm and loving dog who just wants to be loved.