Within 5 minutes Rambler learned the dog door and has not gone potty inside.  He craves attention, is smart and wants to please.  He comes when called.  He is very strong on lead and will be getting some leash training.

Rambler has spent his life in a crate in a garage since he was a puppy.  After they purchased him the woman of the house determined she was allergic to him so he was pretty much banished to the garage to live his life in a crate.  Thank goodness the neighbor learned of his plight and has been getting him out 3 times a day for walks and companionship. 

Notes for Rambler from the person who has cared for him for the last 6 months

Thank you so much for helping with Rambler.  I want to include a few thoughts about his personality and preferences.  He is so smart and willing, yet he is a baby who has not had the benefit of learning at the appropriate stage in his development. 

Food –

He eats Blue Buffalo Evolution Adult Chicken.   He eats around 5:30am and has 2.5 scoops.  He eats again around 6:00pm and has 2.5 scoops.  I believe his owner is feeding at least 3 scoops as Rambler could drop a few pounds.  I believe with regular and consistent exercise throughout the day he may lose the weight organically. He drinks a ton during the day, and loves it out of the hose.  He loves water and played in the sprinklers in our neighborhood during our runs.  It is very cute. 

Medical/Vaccination History

I am bringing the vet record and history with me.  I believe Rambler is AKC registered and I suspect his owner has the pedigree info.  I will bring all of that with me.  The owner also has his Certificate of Neuter and his most recent rabies tag.  I got him vaccinated about 3 weeks ago with the 3-year formulation.  He is heart-worm negative and I had the vet administer the SQ preventative, so he is good for 6 months.  He had a pedicure on 9-30 and the vet techs love him so I am sure he is good about his nails.  I bathe him and he loves his bath.  He is very naughty when being brushed.  I have failed to keep him from chewing everything.  So, I give him a chew toy and groom him. Like most kids he thinks everything is a game.

Toys

He loves his rope, football and orange saucer.  I am bringing all 3 with me.  I bought him a coat.  At this moment he will eat it, so it is included in the items making the trip with us.

Bed

Rambler does not understand that the bed is not a chew toy.  His owner never worked with this so Rambler eats his beds.  I explained to his owner that everything he puts in the crate Rambler chews – toys, food…So the dog thinks the bed is a big toy.  The owner gave up.  I am sure you can do better as Rambler has calluses on his knees and elbows from laying on the bottom of the iron crate.  He is only 18 months old.  I hope the calluses fade over time.

Commands

I will list the ones he knows –

Like most kids he selectively hears his name

He tries hard for “Sit”

He is good on “Wait” while I pick up the poop on our run.

He tries on “Easy”

His best command is “For the love of God Rambler, Stop”

It is funny as occasionally I have to drop the leash as he is just too strong.  When he realizes I am not on the end of his leash he stops, turns around and comes back.  It is like he realizes he left someone behind.  It makes me laugh. 

Affection

He is very affectionate and loving.  He is starved for companionship and attention, although I do my best as does my husband.  He loves a skull rub, face scratch and belly rubs.  I always kiss him good bye when we return from his run, and the other 2 times a day I go over.  He is so kind.  I know he will flourish when affection is returned wholeheartedly.  His owner loves him, and Rambler loves his owner.  However, I have observed hid owner coming home from work, Rambler recognizes the truck and runs to the house.  By the time we get there his owner has already gone inside and does not greet the dog.  It is quite heart-wrenching.  It is ignorance on his owners  part, but Rambler has waited 12 hours to see him and the dog is disappointed.

Other animals/Kids

I sincerely believe he will do well with other pets once he learns how to greet and approach.  He is as starved for species companionship as he is human so I am so glad you have companions for him.  I was also very careful of him around other dogs as he was not neutered until July 25, 2019.  It took me a bit of time to convince his owner the dog would be happier once the procedure was complete.  I believe it can take up to 6 months to notice a behavior change.  He has never been aggressive or the aggressor and I believe he will come to love whatever animal companions you can find.

He loves children and I make him sit and stay quiet so they can come up and pet him.  He has never been trained or taught basic manners yet he loves everyone he meets.  At this moment, he might knock them over.

Not Housebroken

Rambler is not housebroken and the only house he spends time in is ours. I keep him leashed. He does not understand about furniture, and other items.  He has never heard the rhythms of a house and is easily startled.  When I first started going for a run with him, he shied from cars, birds and items on the ground.  He got used to all of that, but I felt bad for him at the beginning.  So, not only isn’t he housebroken, he does not understand what purpose a house serves.  He loves to come to our house and lay on our rug.  I brought him up quite a bit this summer as the garage was hot.  He would calm down and go to sleep.  He needs someone to explain the rules to him and he will be fine.

Fences

I was excited to read about your big pens.  He does not have a fence near him, so I do not think he will get the fence until you introduce it to him.  I am so excited for him to be able to run at will.  I tell people he is like a liter bottle of Pepsi that someone shook.  When you take the top off, it explodes.  With consistent and regular exercise and affection I believe this will dissipate over time.  I think exercise, companionship human and canine and a chance to learn will make him as exceptional as I think he is.  I will miss him very much.