Hi my name is Maverick and I am a sweet older guy who is looking for his forever home. I came to BRAT with my friend Bud when my owner could no longer care for me.  I prefer to be the only dog in the home. I love to chill and hang out but also get belly rubs on my own terms.  Will you be my furever home today?

A note from Maverick's foster-

When we picked up Maverick, Julie sat in the back seat with Maverick. Needless to say they bonded pretty quickly

We were informed that Maverick had a food aggression issue. And not to get near his face.

 

When we got home, Belle came to greet us. When Belle saw Maverick, she ran back in and brought a toy with her. She is a retriever! 

There was a greet and sniff and we all went inside.  Of course Belle got to close to Maverick’s face. The was a growl and a howl and that stopped that.

 

So without getting totally out of hand. What we have seen over the last 3 weeks.

 

Territory

Maverick would growl at Belle if she got to close. That changed pretty quickly. However, if Maverick was in a room with Julie,

He would growl at Belle. We would correct Maverick. Bring Belle in. But she would be under a table, in a chair, on a bed to give him plenty of space.

 

Today, the only time Maverick growls at Belle is if Maverick is in his bed at night (living room bed), he is tired, and Belle is heading into the kitchen.

Belle pretty much goes around the other way. We have not heard Maverick growl at Belle when she enters Julie’s office in a while.

 

Growling at David. Not very often. Usually it is at night when he is in the living room bed when he is tired. Before I think he thought I was going to make him move or take his toys.

Or protecting Julie?

 

What Maverick claims as territory now is just his living room bed. Maverick has scared Belle enough where she won’t use it. Which is fine. She likes the recliner anyway. 

Maverick’s bed in the bedroom he has not shown any aggression. Belle has her own bed anyway. So I do not think there is issue

 

Resources.

Maverick began getting really protective and aggressive about the toys we had. And if Belle had a toy, he would just take it right out of her mouth.

If she protested, there would be a growl. Belle would just go get another toy. Maverick then became protective of the toy box. So we started intervening more.

What we did find is he got really attached to a rabbit. So much so he would “bury” it one of his beds. Maverick even threw it on the couch. Because of his hips, he does not jump up on furniture.

But Belle will not get on the couch! Any rate, I buried the rabbit in the toy box. Maverick threw out all the toys, got to the rabbit and buried it.

Today, we still loves his rabbit. But we have had no aggression or protection of any of the toys. Not even of the rabbit.

 

Other things.

Food aggression. We have been very careful about it. But we have not noticed anything. In the last week, we have stood back. Maverick has been polite

 

Walks. Maverick loves his walks!!  I sincerely believe he had never been taken on a walk  before. At first it was a battle with him. He pulled! It was where he wanted to go.

We took him to a place where it is safe to go off leash and he just took off.  So we moved to the middle school track since it is fenced to work with him.

No joke! Maverick did 400m repeats with Julie. We did not make him do it. Maverick is so bonded with Julie he just did them until he got tired. After 4 of them.

This dog has bad hips ( birth defect)and did 400m repeats! While he still walk with a limp. I think the walks have improved the limp.

 

Today. Maverick will run with Julie and Belle. When we take Maverick to the open field, he will run around. Sometimes with Belle, sometimes just doing his thing.

But he will not run off. Seldom does he get too far. When Maverick does, we call his name and he will at least slow down if not stop.

He will pull but is easily corrected. Unless there is another dog, see below under social interactions. Or he sees a squirrel. Then all bets are off.

He used to howl when he would meet a human. We broke that one somehow. But he loves to me humans of any size.

 

Social interactions. Hard to say. We have noticed he does like to do greet and sniffs. If the dog and the owner can get past his howl to say hello. But he really enjoys meeting other dogs. 

So much so that is one  thing he will pull when walking. Maverick has met at least a dozen dogs and we have had no issues whatsoever. Not counting Belle. Only one interaction has been negative so far.

It was a rottweiler that did not like Maverick’s tone of voice 

He used to howl when he would meet a human. We broke that one somehow. But he loves to me humans of any size. He did really great with a couple of kids.

 

Hip issue

You can tell Maverick has issues with his hip. But only when he walks slowly. Or when he is tired. You get him trotting or running and you would never know. We have cut back on him running.

But not on total walk time. It would be interesting to get him in agility classes.

 

This happened today. There was all this concern about getting in his face. I was watering plants and Maverick came over. I sat on the ground to pet him. After a little bit, I looked at him told him he was

A good boy for helping me water. He gave me a nose bump. Not sure what that means. Emmie would do it instead of giving kisses. But he certainly “got in my face” with his. And I have rested my head on his head.

 

Maverick is can be vocal when he gets excited. That is usually when it is time for a walk. Or when he meets another dog. Or terrorist squirrels get in the yard. 

He has a beautiful howl. Just need to be ready for it. And it usually goes on for about the first few minutes of a walk

 

We thought he needed to be an only dog. I think we are wrong. I think he can be with other dogs. He just has his quirks but I think we are past most of them.

Maverick no longer feels threatened. I do not think he feels he needs to protect himself or his territory.

 

Biggest things Maverick needs.

To be loved! Because he gives a ton of love

To be walked! And he needs to be walked! Maverick is an athlete. I think he will get bored if he does not get walked.

To have HIS things. Though I do not think that is a big deal anymore.

 

Maverick is very intelligent, athletic, and loving.

 

When the time comes, we have his favorite toys ready to go. We have a new rabbit, squirrel and moose. And we will let him take his bed with him as well.

Good with Dogs, Not Good with Cats, Good with Kids

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