About Cody |
- Status: Adopted!
- Species: Dog
- General Color: Black
- Color: Has a couple of very small white patches
- Eye Color: Brown
- Ear Type: Natural/Uncropped
- Tail Type: Long
- Current Size: 60 Pounds
- Potential Size: 60 Pounds
- Current Age: 14 Years (best estimate)
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- Declawed: No
- Housetrained: Yes
- Obedience Training Needed: Needs Training
- Exercise Needs: Moderate
- Grooming Needs: Low
- Shedding Amount: Moderate
- Owner Experience Needed: None
- Reaction to New People: Cautious
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8/13/2015 - ADOPTION PENDING
6/22/15 Well, Cody has shared some surprises with us over the last ten days which has us changing information about his needs. We took Cody camping with us which we knew would be pushing his comfort level. but we decided to try it anyway. (We camped about 20 minutes from home so could have taken him home at any time if needed.)
The campground had a dog park. There were no dogs in the park so we decided to see what he would do off leash. He LOVED it! He sniffed and peed for 45 minutes. Other dogs came in, and he was curious about them. He let them sniff him, and he sniffed them. Unfamiliar children approached Cody to pet him, and he wasn't bothered at all. His tail was up and tongue hanging out the side of his mouth the entire time. Knowing this information and seriously having a jaw dropping moment - we decided to take Cody to a dog park near our home.
Again, once off leash, he freely roamed and explored. After awhile we were joined by a 14 month old dog (~40 pounds). Cody approached her, and they begin sniffing each other. The dog went into a play stance, and Cody followed suit. The next thing we know the two dogs were engaged in a heavy game of chase. I didn't know Cody could run so fast! Tongue out, tail up and wagging...I swear he was smiling! He didn't want to leave. We visited the dog park two more times last week, and the same thing occurred. We did notice that Cody prefers to interact with and play with dogs who are closer to his size and don't demonstrate dominance. He will sniff smaller dogs, but he doesn't play with them. Dominant dogs turn Cody off; he does not play with them either.
We had Cody off leash at our home on Saturday for about two hours. He wandered around the yard and laid in the shade watching us do some landscaping. He didn't mind the sound of the tiller, but he didn't like the rake. When I had the rake in my hand he kept his distance. I have noticed when Cody has active, outside, off-leash exercise, then he is much more relaxed in the house. Yesterday we weren't able to get him outside off-leash, and he stayed on our bed most of the day. On leash walking he is very slow and not nearly as active as off-leash. We will be starting a Confidence Class this week. He thrives on routines and predictability within the home environment. Within the home we still have days where he retreats to the bedroom and chooses to not be interactive, but if we get him outside where he can run around he is an entirely different dog.
We are now thinking Cody's ideal home will have a nice size fenced-in yard and a dog of similar size so he can get the exercise he clearly wants/needs. Cody will still need a family who is willing to give him the time he needs to transition to and adjust to a new home and is willing to work within his schedule and routines.
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6/4/15 Cody went to the groomer today (this is his after photo). She used the word "timid" in her description today which is a HUGE improvement over the word "terrified" which is how she referred to him five months ago. Her exact words today, "he is so timid but yet so, so sweet." He definitely continues to make progress - we're just baby stepping!
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5/4/15 Despite his fears and low confidence - I awoke to find Cody snuggled up with our 7 year this morning. He just has so much love to give.
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4/14/15 I wanted to share that Cody had a break through this morning! He played!! We have had him for 4+ months, and this is a first. Our other dog and cat were tearing through the house playing, and Cody jumped off our bed to see what was going on and immediately joined in - no hesitation. :-) His ears/head were up, and when one of the other pets came around the front side of the couch he bowed and leapt toward them. They responded, and Cody joined in on the chase around the living room, up on the couch and back off. It only lasted about five minutes, but it was so fun to see.
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3/28/15 I took a video of Cody two weeks ago. This was the day after my daughter's birthday - during which, by the way, we had 13 girls here running around and interacting with Cody, too. (He was on my bed; he seems to prefer interactions to occur there). He went to the kitchen which he very rarely does - maybe twice since we've had him. I call him to eat (in the mud/laundry room). He won't walk down the hallway there were bags sitting in it. . .the environment is different. We try to control the environment and give changes in doses...he recognizes the changes right away.
You will see in the video that he heard one of my daughter's friends coming out of the master bedroom. Once she gets past him, he is able to attempt going down the hall again. He still doesn't like people behind him. But considering this was a "surprise appearance," he actually recovered beautifully, and that doesn't always happen. Most days he would have retreated to my bed, and we would have to start over again. Once in the mudroom, he won't start eating until the door is closed...we are slowly trying to change that, too.
He continues to improve - slowly, but surely. In the video, I am calling him out from the master bedroom. That is where he prefers to be - laying on my bed. It is either there or laying on the couch. He still doesn't show interest in playing, doesn't ask to go out, doesn't ask for treats, can only go potty on a leash walk, etc. He does now come when called (as you will see in the video). He thrives on very predictable and set routines, praise and being petted.
He does not mind strangers as long as they approach him when he is either on the bed or on the couch. He met my mother-in-law for the first time two weeks ago (afternoon of this video). She sat near him on the coach and largely ignored him. After a few minutes he crawled over and laid his head on her lap to be petted. When she stopped petting him he nudged her for more. That was a great moment to see. :-)
https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=ahl6a1iSJAw&feature=youtube_gdata_player
Enjoy the video!!
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2/26/15 Cody is snuggling in for a "stay home day." He continues to make slow and steady progress in foster care. He is walking a little more freely through the house . . . by choice. He is recognizing cues related to routines (when I pick up his leash he independently comes to the front door; when I pour food in his bowl he independently comes to his eating spot).
We had a Behaviorist out to the house on Sunday, and she gave us some great activities to help Cody experience "new" experiences in a safe and controlled environment. He continues to be very cautious and still spooks with "surprise" experiences or physical changes in the environment (snow boots left askew in the hallway). He helps keep me organized for sure! The Behaviorist is pleased with his progress and said he just needs time and likely will be staying with us for quite awhile - at least until he realizes the world is not so scary.
We celebrate every milestone and remind him of how brave he is and that he's such a good boy. Thanks for all of your support as we continue our journey.
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1/29/15 Cody still isn't ready for adoption. He is making slow progress on overcoming his fears, but he IS making progress.
He is super sweet and super gentle but still extremely fearful of everything. He is not food motivated (I know, shocking) so it has been more of a challenge finding ways to help ease his fear.
He shows no interest in playing but does love a big rub down. He prefers to sleep or lie next to me on the couch having his head/ears stroked. He is terrified of doors and doorways. I watch his behavior; he is hyper-vigilant about scanning his environment before he will even contemplate coming to eat or going out for a walk. It may seem crazy, but I swear he does a head count - if he can see my two kids and husband, then he is more willing to move on his own. If he can’t account for them, then he will whine because he wants to come to me but is just too scared. When it is just me and him - he is able to more freely, roam the house, lay his head on my lap while on the computer for example, or watch me get ready in the morning.
He does best when I put a leash on him - then he will follow me any where in the house. He is very cautious with my husband, especially if my husband puts on a hat to take him for walks - although I watched this morning, and Cody had his tail up for the entire walk with my husband…that is new too.
Cody definitely prefers to be elevated - bed, couch, etc. He seems to be much more comfortable when he can see what is going on around him at all times.
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Cody here – I am a 3 y.o. boy about 58lbs. I am still on hold as I become more comfortable and less fearful. I have been in my foster home since 12/6/2014. I am a good boy who loves lots of praise, but I am fearful of most things. I'll need a month or two in foster care before I am ready for adoption.
I have found a safe place in my foster home, and I tend to spend most of my time there. However I am slowly becoming a little braver and am starting to ask for more petting. I love going on walks, and I walk very well on a leash. I appreciate predictability in my environment and have just started coming out of my safe place to eat and go to bed at night. I sleep on my dog bed and have just discovered that couches and beds are very comfortable. I am not kenneled because I was paralyzed with fear the first time my foster family tried kenneling me.
I have done my very best and have had minimal accidents in the house. I haven't learned how to ask to go out yet - my foster family takes me out for a walk three times a day, and I go potty on our walks. I don't have a fenced yard, and I have tried being tied out once - but I was too nervous to go potty. We will keep working on it though!
My foster home has a tiny dog and a cat. I ignore both of them even though they both keep trying to get me to play. Maybe one of these days I will learn how to play with toys. My foster home also has two children aged 7 and 8. They pet me, and sometimes I like to lie in their bedroom. They don't scare me as much with their quick movements and loud noises - but sometimes they still surprise me, and then I go back to my safe place. Right now my foster family uses a leash to take me outside. I am scared of doors and large open spaces. With patience and praise, I am able to go outside and come back inside.
When I go for a walk, I never pull on my leash, and sometimes I like to stay behind my foster parent. I frequently nudge my foster parent's hand during our walk because I like to be petted (praise makes me happy too). I am very brave for the vet! I actually went over to her and asked for pets. She gave me a hug and a kiss too - I really, really liked that!
I am a very good boy in the car. With a little coaxing I hop right in and lie on the floor. I rode like that all the way to the Vet. When we got to the Vet I hopped right of the car ... although the sounds of traffic scared me and I was very skittish going into the Vet clinic. I want you to know that I am a very, very good boy and will soon be looking for a home that is very patient and can give me a lot of praise.
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If you are interested in meeting/adopting Cody, please fill out our on-line adoption application and have a home visit http://www.labadoption.org/info/adoption – If you are already approved to adopt, please email L.E.A.R.N. to let them know you are interested when I am ready for adoption.
