Professor's First Lessons

Prof has been learning a lot in the past few days! His training is focusing on all the skills he needs to be a great family pet. Prof is a smart boy but has trouble being patient. He is quickly learning that barking and jumping up doesn't get him what he wants! The video below shows some of the skills Prof has been working on so far!

Prof has learned a hand touch (touch my hand with his nose). This is a great cue for moving him around, since he can't hear you call him to come! Prof has also learned a spin to the right! Since he spends so much time circling to the left, it will be important for his new family to help him with a few right spins each day to help keep his muscle development balanced better. Prof is working on walking nicely on a leash and yielding to collar pressure instead of pulling against it, since you might have to guide him by his collar once in awhile.  Sit is HARD for an active puppy! He wants to be moving!! But he will get there. Pretty good for 3 days work huh?

A Few of my Favorite Things

Since foster mom is only telling you the boring stuff, I need to tell you some of the important stuff about me! These are some of my favorite things:

1. My most favorite thing in the world is sleeping!! Especially by a heater! I love sleeping in my crate, on a rug, in a lap, on a bed, with someone or by myself! Pretty much anywhere warm and comfortable!

 

2. I LOVE food, and I'm not picky! I think my kibble is the best ever! Foster mom makes me work for it by doing tricks or putting it in a treat-dispensing toy for me to play with. That makes it even cooler!

3. I love other dogs! Especially the ones that will play with me! I don't understand why some don't want to play!

4. If the other dogs don't want to play, I can just play by myself! I love to play! (But only for about 15 minutes before I'm back to my number 1 fav thing). Running fast in circles is awesome! I like to bounce toys for myself and chase them!

5. Shoes are delicious!! I wish foster mom would leave them laying around more often! Earrings and buttons are also quite tasty!

All About the Professor

Baby Prof--8 weeks old!

The Professor is an amazing puppy with some minor neurological issues. He is very much a normal puppy, but does have a few quirks that have NO effect on his ability to be a great family pet! Prof's slight neurological issues are thought to be the result of some type of brain damage. It is unknown what caused the brain damage, but there is no reason to think it will get any worse.

It was initially thought that the Professor might have some issues with hearing and vision, however, after getting to know him, any issues he may have are extremely minimal. The Professor sees just fine. He finds his way around and never runs into anything. He follows people and dogs. He LOVES to play with other dogs, but will respond appropriately when "put in his place." He knows a hand touch (touch an outstretched palm with his nose) and has learned hand signals for sit and spin, and is working on a hand signal for down.

The Professor can also hear just fine! He knows his name and will come running when called, most of the time. He has learned several other verbal cues as well. He knows sit, kennel up, and "ok" as a release when he's waiting for his food bowl. Professor sometimes seems to have trouble orienting to a sound--that is, he hears it, but he might not always be able to pinpoint where it is coming from.

Professor also has a few other minor quirks,  like a tendency to pace and run in circles to the left and a slight head tremor when he is concentrating very hard, but nothing that affects his quality of life!

The Professor has also had a couple of seizures. It is unknown whether these were isolated incidents or something he will deal with for life. He is currently on a very inexpensive medication that he takes 2 times a day that seems to be working well to control his seizures. Dogs with epilepsy can enjoy very normal and full lives! 

Other than these minor limitations, Prof seems to be a normal puppy! He is full of JOY, playful and cuddly! He loves to do normal dog things, like go for leash walks, run around wildly in the yard, wrestle with dogs, and play with toys. He would love a home to call his own!

My New Foster Home

Hi! They call me the Professor because I'm really smart! You can call me Prof for short! I just got to my new foster home and I love it so far. The other dogs here are like me! I have some trouble seeing sometimes and my foster brother Lok does too! I can't hear and neither can my foster sister Jun. I love to play with other dogs, so I think we'll be great friends!

My foster mom is a dog trainer and specializes in teaching dogs like me! She says I am very smart and well behaved, so I won't need much training to be a great family pet! I am already good at going potty outside, and I can't wait to see what else I learn! Stay tuned!