2/12/04-This is Niko. He is a boxer/beagle mix whose looks could make him a millionaire. He is neutered and fully up to date on all shots. He is a happy go lucky dog who loves to play. He will even bring you every toy in the house in efforts to ensure non-stop play time. He is excellent with kids and adores women. when it comes to men , he appears to be a bit timid; but once you get clearance it is playtime for the "boys". Once he surpasses his shyness with men , he enters play mode with them. He loves stuffed animals, toys, bones, and even the in house 7 month old kitten. I think secretly the kitten is his favorite toy. He gets along with other dogs both male and female. He once even tried to ride a local Rottwieler's back as though it was a pony ride at the fair. Though Niko is very playful with all other animals (even turtles) his high energy may be too much for the not so playful dog. So laid back doggies Beware!
As for tricks and training, he has never had formal training yet he has picked up some tricks along the way. Niko knows SIT, PAW, and LAY (but you must tap on floor with open hand ). He also knows "go get your toy" and "drop" for when he brings it to you. He is very smart and learns very quickly so with a small amount of instruction there is no telling what he is capable of learning. Being that his build is mostly muscle he may need to learn some "leash manners", as he sometimes tends to pull his 5'2 human mommy when they go for walks.
Niko loves to be with people and in your face giving kisses. He is most at peace when in human presence. For a while Niko would follow you everywhere even into the bathroom. He has even on several occasions jumped in the shower with his human mommy. As she tends to take long showers and this is just too much alone time for Niko. He has become a bit more independent but yet still longs for plenty of human presence in his life. In his quest to be "part of the crowd" , he sometimes will jump on couch or bed to be next to you, to drape his ears on you or place his paw on your lap, this is easily corrected with a firm "DOWN". He loves to love and loves be loved.
Niko is crate trained. He used to be house broken but due to his mommy dramatic increase of working hours(10-12 hr days). He has seemed to have a decline in his ability to "hold it." 12 hours is a long time for anyone to hold it in so he is not punished for his accidents. The crate does work for him and prevents "accidents." But with a little refresher course Niko should be back to his house broken ways in no time. This would be ideal, as he is not a cage dog. Though it must be said, Niko loves to "go" frequently, so if he gets back into the habit of "doing business" outside, his new family must be committed to taking him out several times a day.
All this being said, one would wonder why anyone would part with NIKO. He is so enjoyable to have in his mommy's life but her life has become hectic. She currently works 10-12 hours a day , leaving the dog alone for a great length of time. In addition to her having to move within the next three weeks and being a single mommy it is near impossible for her to care for Niko in the way he deserves. As a result a selfless decision to find Niko a home where people have more time for this great dog has been made.