DUGAN here! Bet you thought I wasn't going to fill you in about myself... Well, let me get started: I am a 4 year old Irish Setter and I am quite active. Before coming into SOS I was an outside dog my whole life, so I'm learning and adjusting to being an inside dog! I will still need help and patience to make adjustments once I'm in my forever home. My foster family tells me I'm doing well and making steady progress. I'm fully crate trained and I haven't had a single accident in the house.
My foster mom says I have to tell you that I can be quite an "independent thinker" at times. You see, I used to be the boss! I like being outdoors, so this indoor stuff has been challenging and a little overwhelming at times for me, but I've found it is much better than outdoors alone and in the cold!! I'm learning to mind most of the time since I've learned that I'm not the boss anymore. Sometimes I forget, and I'm shown the squirt bottle. I try hard to pay attention then! If you are willing to be patient and consistent with me I know we can do finish up my training!
I get rambunctious sometimes, so someone who is able to keep me in line and provide me with firm yet loving instruction is mandatory. Obedience class would be greatly beneficial as well. I do tend to pull hard on leash.
I have been around small kids (3, 6, & 8 year olds) and can be on the jumpy side with them because I get so excited to play. I have been hanging out with the resident dogs in my foster home and get along with them, too.
I like to be groomed and will stand still for brushing! I crave attention and like to rest my head in your lap for pets. That's a big improvement from when I first arrived, and was afraid to be touched by people!! Heck, I'll even get up in your lap if you'll let me (I only weigh 60 pounds, so I'm sure I'd fit perfectly)! I will chase the tennis ball, but a retriever I'm not.
If you think we might be a match for each other, please consider adopting me! Thanks for looking!!
DUGAN
Fostered by Doug & Cheryl in WI.
Save Our Setters, Inc.
DUGAN
UPDATE 7/24/08: DUGAN has made great strides in adjusting to life indoors and around people. He has become the attention seeker and loves to be petted and loved on. He gets along fine with the other dogs here and did just fine with the visiting Chihuahua (...didn't even see him at first, LOL!). He has started to try and play with other dogs here as well. When introduced to the visiting cat, DUGAN was very curious - he wanted an up-close look, and would have probably chased had he been given the opportunity.
He is still working on house manners and still gets excited when loose in the house with supervision (will surf counters and tables if given the chance). He crates up nicely and hangs out there at night and when needed during the day. Every once in awhile he does try and test to see if he can be boss, but has gotten much better at doing what's asked of him. He has gotten better about the leash and doesn't pull as hard these days - unless he has to "go" really bad!!
He loves it when the humans lie on the floor with him. He can't get close enough! He is quite the talker, and if the others start barking, he joins in with rooing! He needs just a little fine tuning at this point to be a truly outstanding companion!
UPDATE 7/28/08: We suspect that DUGAN has had two seizures. The foster home did not witness either event, but did hear thrashing and ran to investigate. Both times, the thrashing had ceased before they got there, and DUGAN appeared somewhat disoriented. The first was June 11th and the second July 27th. Lots of dogs have a seizure and never repeat. Only when a dog has a second seizure does it become a concern. We are working with the vet to see if she recommends testing to determine if his seizures may have an uderlying cause that is easily treatable, such as hypothyroidism.
While epilepsy can be inherited, not all cases of epilepsy are inherited. For example, trauma to the head can cause seizure activity. We have posted the names of the breeders of the sire and dam of DUGAN, as provided by DUGAN's former owner. If anyone has a dog from either of these breeders, we ask that you contact us, providing the pedigree for your dog, and advising whether your dog has had seizures, or has not had seizures. Nothing in this inquiry is intended to cause anyone to draw any conclusions about the ancestors of DUGAN or of the breeders of the ancestors of DUGAN, as seizures can be the result of causes that are not genetic in nature.
Terri & Jamie Shape (breeder of sire)
Roselle Smyth (breeder of dam)
