Baxter

Baxter had been picked up by OC Animal Control as a stray with an injured hip (possibly from being struck by a car), and he was recovering from surgery at the OC Animal Care Center. A volunteer at OCACC decided to foster him.<br/><br/>The family who is fostering him sent us this bio:<br/><br/>Baxter had evidently received no training at all at his previous home. He was a very friendly guy, but unresponsive to vocal commands. However, he<br/>is such a social and intelligent dog and always willing to give it a try, that he was easily trained. Within two days he was completely house-trained, and within a week he was trained in sit-stay, come, heel around, heel, and (very important to us) to wait until given a release command before running through an open door. At first, he had just barged through, knocking us aside).<br/> <br/>The most endearing thing we’ve seen occurred when I inexcusably delayed too long after his meal to give him his meds, and he threw up. He tried to go outside, but the screen door was closed, so he pushed against the door and managed to get his snout over the door jamb. All we needed to clean was the front porch! I’ve never seen a dog do that, with no prompting or shouts from us. Of course, we tried to tell him that it wasn’t his fault, it was mine.<br/> <br/>Baxter is the sweetest dog we’ve ever had or fostered. He is very mellow and calm, He just seems to take whatever comes his way, for better or worse, in good humor. He has never shown any aggressive tendencies, although he is a good watchdog at night, and will give one or two deep “woofs” if someone enters the yard after dark. He doesn’t get overly excited, but lets them know that he’s watching them.<br/> <br/>Baxter’s hip has healed very well, and he’s now building muscle by walking<br/>or jogging every day. He also exercises by rough-housing with our Husky/Malamute mix, Shauna. It’s always Baxter who initiates play by facing Shauna and yipping at her, while waving his tail. Although he recognizes her as the dominate one, he is now able to give as good as he gets. <br/> <br/>Baxter is now in the reinforcement stage of training (he still needs work on his “come“ command, which he will sometimes mischievously ignore while looking right at us with a big grin). And, of course, he is still regaining his strength. He will make a great pet for any family that can give him daily exercise, through walk or play, and, being a young dog, would be happiest in a home with another medium to large dog for a playmate.<br/><br/>He is 75 pounds and fully grown.

Baxter had been picked up by OC Animal Control as a stray with an injured hip (possibly from being struck by a car), and he was recovering from surgery at the OC Animal Care Center. A volunteer at OCACC decided to foster him.

The family who is fostering him sent us this bio:

Baxter had evidently received no training at all at his previous home. He was a very friendly guy, but unresponsive to vocal commands. However, he
is such a social and intelligent dog and always willing to give it a try, that he was easily trained. Within two days he was completely house-trained, and within a week he was trained in sit-stay, come, heel around, heel, and (very important to us) to wait until given a release command before running through an open door. At first, he had just barged through, knocking us aside).

The most endearing thing we’ve seen occurred when I inexcusably delayed too long after his meal to give him his meds, and he threw up. He tried to go outside, but the screen door was closed, so he pushe

Baxter had been picked up by OC Animal Control as a stray with an injured hip (possibly from being struck by a car), and he was recovering from surgery at the OC Animal Care Center. A volunteer at OCACC decided to foster him.

The family who is fostering him sent us this bio:

Baxter had evidently received no training at all at his previous home. He was a very friendly guy, but unresponsive to vocal commands. However, he
is such a social and intelligent dog and always willing to give it a try, that he was easily trained. Within two days he was completely house-trained, and within a week he was trained in sit-stay, come, heel around, heel, and (very important to us) to wait until given a release command before running through an open door. At first, he had just barged through, knocking us aside).

The most endearing thing we’ve seen occurred when I inexcusably delayed too long after his meal to give him his meds, and he threw up. He tried to go outside, but the screen door was closed, so he pushed against the door and managed to get his snout over the door jamb. All we needed to clean was the front porch! I’ve never seen a dog do that, with no prompting or shouts from us. Of course, we tried to tell him that it wasn’t his fault, it was mine.

Baxter is the sweetest dog we’ve ever had or fostered. He is very mellow and calm, He just seems to take whatever comes his way, for better