This is FOSTER. He is about four years old and as you can see will be very handsome when he gets healthy!
Foster is a very good dog. He LOVES to play. He passed the dog day care test and has been going for a week now. The staff report that he plays very well with other dogs. In fact, he plays all day. He is definitely a boy dog who loves to wrestle. He even tries to wrestle with me. He also loves to run. He is a great companion runner and has gone several times with my husband.
He is a bit of an escape artist and dashed out the backdoor once, but stopped when my husband called to him. So, he would do well with a fenced backyard to contain his exuberant running and playing. He knows his commands of sit, sit-stay and down. He even sits before going out the door or getting into the car if asked. We are still working on learning to walk on a leash and not jumping on people and other dogs (to play) when we meet them, but he is very smart - especially for a setter - and will get them soon. He is very trainable and is fast learner. He doesn't retrieve but I think that he could be taught. He also doesn't think much of toys or dog biscuits.
He has been eating in his crate and gets into it when he his hungry or thirsty. He likes his people and moves from room to room with us but he is not afraid to explore on his own, which leads me to believe that he is pretty well adjusted. If he is in the same room with you, he is content to chill out on the floor. He sleeps through the night on a dog bed in our room. He has a lot of energy, probably a 7 on a scale of one to ten, but a good run or playtime makes him tired. He is a nice dog who plays well with others and is great with people (except for the jumping which we are working on). He is a sweet dog who likes attention but he is not a snuggler. He is content to lay down next to you with his head on your leg.
He would be a good match for people who want a running companion or are committed to playing with him everyday. He would also be a good match for someone who wanted to do agility or other training. He is a great house dog but he needs lots of exercise. Fostered by Karie in GA.
Update as of 11/21/2006: Foster loves life in Atlanta. He hasn't tried to escape after that one time. In fact, he now goes out into the unfenced backyard to play with us. He has also learned to play fetch and now LOVES his stuffed toys. He is very smart and has quickly learned basic clicker training commands of sit, down, stay, off, leave it, and settle. He loves to work for meaty treats. Foster really enjoys going outside to play. He also has learned to snuggle and tries to sneak onto the bed when we aren't looking. He loves to sack out on the couch with his people in the evenings. In nearly a month with us, he has never once had an accident in the house. Foster lets you know when he needs to go outside.
Other than needing to put on some more weight, Foster seems very healthy, happy and is ready to play with his forever family. Foster loves other dogs and has become a ringleader of playgroup at doggy daycare. He also has made great friends with neighborhood dogs. Foster plays like a puppy all the time and doesn't always know his own size. Foster would like an active forever family without cats (he likes to chase them) and without tiny kids (4 and up would be fine - he is
good with kids but he could accidently knock tiny ones over when he plays with them). We have enjoyed having Foster as a temporary addition to our family!
