Agility dog -- wow!

Elvis and I took an agility class this summer. It was beginning agility 2. I had done some basic training so I skipped agility 1. He was awesome in this class. My primary objective for taking this class with Elvis was to assess his reactivity in a high energy class with other dogs in close proximity. I was also glad that one of the teachers was male since Elvis has shown some odd reactions to some men.

Elvis impressed everyone. He was friendly to every dog in the class and completely comfortable being restrained by both teachers even though he was highly aroused and pulling to run. He was super enthusiastic about doing the exercises -- straining to run the tunnels, jump on the table or fly down the contact trainer into a 2o2o position.

He was super fast. He was so fast into the tunnel in the last class that I just stood there flat footed and missed my front cross out of the tunnel completely. I couldn't believe he could be that fast. He is faster than my young border collie and way more motivated.

If I were looking for a fun agility dog who is a doll around the house, I would grab this guy up. This dog is a GEM and the smart person who finally recognizes it is going to have the dog of a lifetime.

The longer I live with Elvis the more I adore him. He is a joy to live with at home. He lounges around the couch, snuggles when invited, doesn't bark unless someone comes to the door, and never touches anything that isn't his. He has proved to have good dog skills interacting with many dogs who come to my house and helping with a few of my clients who have reactive dogs.

Elvis is special, no doubt about it.

Developing new skills easily

In just a few short sessions, I have taught Elvis to jump 16" cleanly, run a straight tunnel, and do 2o2o on a dog walk. He even did tunnel, jump, jump tonight. I did this in three 5-10 minute sessions. I just wanted to see if he had the aptitude. No problem!

I also discovered that he can catch treats. He even taught my young border collie, Smudge, to catch. I've been trying for months and he showed her a couple of times and she had it. What fun he is to have around the house. He is a real clown and makes me laugh every day.

Agility!

This is a lovely shot of Elvis taken by the fantastic dog photographer, Diane Lewis (www.dianelewisphotography.com). He was at a dog agility trial and seemed to enjoy taking it all in. He was happy to meet all the dogs and people at the trial.

I've begun a little bit of agility training with Elvis. He loves the tunnel and is a really nice jumper -- clearing 16" with ease. As food motivated as he is, I think he would pick up the sport very quickly.

more about me

I love toys. The most fun is to rip them open and pull out the stuffing. But, I don't always do that right away. I like to chase them and carry them around to show them off too.

Busy weekend

I had a busy weekend attending an agility trial all day Sat, Sun , and Monday. I did wonderfully according to my foster mom. I was good in my crate. I visited nicely with all the people and dogs. And I paid good attention when she pulled out the treats! It is hard for us terrier types to pull our nose off the ground, but I do pretty good when any ole' food is offered to me.



This is my best friend, Smudge. She is about my size and age and we have lots of fun wrestling and chasing each other everywhere. I sound very ferocious but it is all just fun!


I'm very cute and this is a really good way to hang out after a long day outside.

I love soft blankets. My foster mother tossed this one on the floor and I just had to enjoy it!

Yes, there is nothing like a soft snuggly blanket for rolling around and getting a nice rest time.

Please play with me! Sometimes, I just have to get out and play with the gang.

More photos of Elvis around the house

May 25, 2008

It is important that you get to see me in my natural habitat. This evening my foster mom and I did a photo shoot. She tried to get me in lots of cute poses. Some were kind of ridiculous. But they show me loving snuggly soft places, enjoying my toys, and hanging out with other dogs.

I need a home!

My name is Elvis and I'm a dog in search of a forever home. I currently live in a foster family where I'm very happy, but my foster mom wants me to have a permanent home where I can be the center of attention (and I like that idea too).

Here is what my foster mom wants to say about me:

Elvis is a cute little dog. He weighs around 25 pounds and is very compact and sturdy. He is an athletic dog and we are guessing he is around 18 months old. Elvis has lived with me and my three dogs (2 Border collies and a papillon) for about 6 weeks. He is a foster dog with the Durham County APS animal shelter. His adoption must go through them.

I feel a bit sad for Elvis, because he is a wonderful dog and so deserves to be adored by someone special in his life.

Elvis has become fast friends with my 15-month-old border collie female, Smudge, but he often prefers time with me. He loves to snuggle on the couch while I watch TV and he falls asleep beside my leg or laying across my lap. When I work on the computer, Elvis goes to a quiet room with a soft piece of furniture and snuggles in for a nap. He never bothers me while I'm working (unlike my BCs), but the minute I suggest a walk he is 100% ready to go.

Elvis has a terrier temperament -- happy guy and very determined. He respects strong, kind human leadership. This is not a dog for a passive person or someone who doesn't want to train or exercise a dog. Elvis needs an outgoing person who will do things with him and use his little brain and physique for good purpose. I think he could play at agility or flyball for sure. He really doesn't require lots of physical outlets (again, unlike my BCs), but he wants a purpose and someone to interact with so staying home alone all day and then just hanging out at night wouldn't be very fun for him.

Elvis is super food motivated which makes training him pretty easy. He walks nicely on the leash and will attention heel for food for long periods of time. I use an easy walk harness or gentle leader if I don't feel like training him on his walk and he is great with either. Because I am a dog trainer, I never let Elvis stare at other dogs or people, I always get his attention and reward him for eyeballing me instead of the distractions. I think without that kind of work, he would pull towards others and bark, but I never let that happen, and he is easy to redirect with food rewards.

I have taken Elvis to two agility trials to hang out and meet people. He seems to love the environment and hangs out in his crate in my tent all day without barking.

Elvis is completely housebroken. Loves toys to play with (and loves ripping the stuffing out!). Is not destructive. Is perfectly crate trained (he stays in a crate at night and whenever I leave the house). Rides in the car (in a crate) nicely.

Things I find endearing about Elvis: he pulls his blanket out of his crate, pulls it up on the couch and goes to sleep on it; he rolls on his back for big ole' belly rubs; and he dances at my feet for any attention or training that I offer to him.

This is a super dog with a heart of gold. I so want to find the right person for him.

If you love terriers, have some knowledge about dogs, and want to save a life while making an endearing friend for life, consider adopting Elvis.

I would not recommend Elvis for small children (he's been fine with kids, but he is an intense little guy and might push kids around) and I don't know about cats.