Winston Progress Report

Winston is making steady progress with his excitement issues and his anxiety is much less present.  He has learned that we don't always have to be doing something and is willing to relax on the couch most nights.  I make sure that he either comes to work with me, goes on a long walk, or plays ball at the dog park every day.  If ever a day of adequate exercise is missed, it's very evident in his energy level that evening. We have cut way back on the Composure (natural calming supplement) and some days he doesn't take any at all.  He had a milestone this weekend.  After a very active Saturday, we decided that it would be the perfect time to give him the chance to sleep out of his crate.  He never made a peep all night long.  He has since earned his night time freedom! 

I have come to the realization that Winston, although spastic, probably isn't actually as bad as we think he is. As our dogs mature, we are starting to forget how rotten they used to be when they were closer to his age. I guess we have been spoiled with very well behaved fosters lately too. Sweet Bella was a dream (behaviorally) and the temps have also been pretty easy.

Dixie is surprisingly more tolerant of Winston's exuberance than Jax, who has been more subdued lately and just isn't quite himself yet.  Both of them will discipline Winnie when needed.  I try not to interfere when Dixie is involved.  She knows better than I do when enough is enough yet she never loses her temper. Firm but kind.  Sometimes I step in with Jax.  He tends to let himself get picked on and picked on until he gets upset.  Jonathon says he is a wuss.  I prefer "over sensitive."  What I would do without my two canine helpers, I can't imagine.  They have really made a difference in this dog's life.

Besides the issues we are working on, Winston is an awesome dog.  He has one of the best temperaments of any dog we have ever had.  He is just joyful all of the time.  He has no fears (now that we have cleared things up with the food processor) and he is incredibly outgoing and friendly with all strangers.  He knows "sit," "down," and "leave it."  He will play fetch forever.  We are working on walking nicely on a leash.  Our biggest challenge there is the abundance of squirrels that share our neighborhood.  He is perfectly behaved in the car and at the office.  He almost never barks and hasn't had a single accident in the house since he got here. 

He loves kids, so he will fit well into an active family that will spend plenty of time with him, take him places, and fulfill his exercise needs.  They will need patience and the ability to understand his energy level and that it is not "misbehaving."  I would feel awful if anyone tried to "punish" him for simply being his happy-go-lucky self. 

Overall, Winnie just needed some stability in his life.  Now that he is getting into the routine that dogs count on, he has really come around.  His whole life people have given up on him.  That was his biggest problem.