Nixon was adopted on Dec. 28 but returned on Jan. 4. After a week in his adopter’s home, he bit the resident dog who was extremely energetic and unable to take cues and redirect play with the new dog in the house. (*Note: Nixon currently lives in a foster home with a submissive GSD and is fine with dogs upon meeting)
UPDATE 12/21/21
TOYS
Loves chew toys and squeaky toys
Plush/stuffed toys – do not allow, or if he has one it requires supervision because he’ll destroy within minutes and eat.
He’ll create his own pile of toys; casually sneaks all his toys into one place; will take your shoe and sock and place it in his pile of toys (but won't destroy)
Likes to fetch a ball (but right now he doesn't bring it back)
RESOURCE GUARDING
Isn’t bothered by me touching while he eats/drinks.
Isn't bothered by another dog eating/drinking beside him at the same time or even eating/drinking from his bowl at the same time.
When another dog has his toy, he won’t fight for it but he might growl and try to get it back or wait out the other dog to get it as soon as the other dog loses sight of it.
FOOD
Sometimes he likes to sit or lie down while he eats
If he’s hungry he’ll bring his bowl to you
Enjoys canned food or kibble
BATHROOM
I take him in the morning, at lunch, after work, and at night before bed time (4x per day)
He has never gone to the bathroom in the house
WALKS
I take him in the morning, at lunch, after work, and at night before bed time (4x per day)
Pulls on the leash (he’s very strong) but can be easily guided; needs basic training on this. Small kids could be pulled down if trying to walk him.
Interested when he sees people or other dogs, but he never barks or is aggressive.
I haven’t observed him around squirrels yet.
KIDS
Sweet and good with kids but he is a big boy, so he could easily knock over kids if he’s overly excited.
CATS
Lived in his Texas foster home with a cat: https://www.facebook.com/100001755639377/videos/pcb.4510473959021081/1024374521456115
DOGS
Was returned for biting adopter's dog; see details above
Lived in his Texas foster home with almost 10 dogs: https://www.instagram.com/caseyriveter/reel/CWt_AVpjT7U/?utm_medium=copy_link&fbclid=IwAR3gkCZucHPtSHpgQGZVxlTl5_QWFqmrz8z8OET7cqsSSIC5Ulxuuh3AryU
Lives in his Virginia foster home with 5-year old, 60-pound submissive female German Shepherd
TRAINING
Doesn’t know any commands yet.
Will “shake”
Will sit for a treat and sits before going outside for his collar/leash.
Pulls on walks – needs basic training.
Will need correction in the home as he’s still learning basic manners.
Great in the car.
TEMPERAMENT
VELCRO - always wants to be with or near the humans.
Affectionate - loves to give kisses
Very calm demeanor and loves to nap.
Goofy
Jumps up on people if overly excited
He isn’t a counter surfer, but if you leave something out there’s a possibility he could grab it since he’s tall and might be able to reach on the table.
He’s learning to take treats nicely, but if he’s excited to grab a treat or toy from your hand he might lunge for it (supervision is necessary with kids while he’s learning basic manners).
CRATE
He will easily go into the crate if he wants to nap or play with a toy in there, but hates to go into the crate if his human is somewhere else in the home. If he's in the crate while the humans are elsewhere in the home, he will cry and bark and try to escape the crate.
If he’s in the crate for a while he sometimes chews if there’s a blanket or pillow in his crate (other than his bed).
Is not crated during the day while human is teleworking.
SEPARATION ANXIETY/CRATE TRAINING
He will easily go into the crate if he wants to nap or play with a toy in there, but hates to go into the crate if his human is somewhere else in the home.
If he’s in the crate for a while he sometimes chews if there’s a blanket or pillow in his crate (other than his bed).
On Dec. 11: he whined and paced for 8 minutes when one of the humans left. But on Dec. 21, he has settled and no longer exhibits this behavior.
He sometimes whines and barks when left alone (in or out of the crate). Still testing and assessing regarding this issue. Sometimes he’s ok when he thinks everyone is gone, but if he hears someone in the house he whines for a while and it sometimes escalates to barking – for a while.
MEDICAL
Was neutered on 12/17/21
Heartworm positive: began 30-day Doxycycline treatment on Jan. 16 and monthly Advantage-Multi (preventative) on Jan. 8; treatment (slow kill protocol) covered by SSR until HW-
Gorgeous coat (little bit of dandruff right now)
Underweight currently
12/7/21
With less than three hours until euthanasia in a Texas shelter, he was saved by some amazing humans then transported to Virginia. Nixon is soooooo sweet and under two years old. He loves to give kisses, is good in the car, and is housebroken. He likes to chase a ball and collect toys. Nixon has a gorgeous coat but he did come to us very underweight. He likes men and women, is good with other dogs, and lived with a cat in his Texas foster home. He allows handling all over. Nixon pulls on a leash (we’re working on that) and he’s crate trained but does have separation anxiety--always wants to be with his people. Nixon will soon be neutered at SSR’s expense. (Unsure about heartworm – he’s being tested on Dec. 17; if he is HW+ then treatment is covered by SSR.)
More about Nixon 2352
Good with Cats, Does Good in the Car, Likes to play with toys, Affectionate
If you are an approved adopter and are interested in this dog, please let your case worker know. If you are not yet an approved adopter but are interested, please complete an adoption application!
If you are viewing this animal on Petfinder, please see our organization’s Petfinder home page, linked below (on mobile) or to the right (on desktop), to read about our adoption process and to start your journey!
If you are viewing this animal on Petfinder, please see our organization’s Petfinder home page, linked below (on mobile) or to the right (on desktop), to read about our adoption process and to start your journey!
