| ROCCO B KNUCKLES (Boxer Mix) |
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| 4/29/08 - Rocco has been doing exceeding well here over the past few days. I would have been the last to think that he could be out with my dogs for extended periods of time without a problem, BUT.... Rocco has been friendly to both Peggy and Bishop and has "graduated" to dragging a leash while "free" in the house. He is still very curious and far too rough with the cats, which is why I still insist on the leash. Rocco has done a great job about waiting "to go" until he is outside. He has never had any house-training issues. The only time he has had an accident was today when he refused to do anything but whimper and whine while out in the down-pour that took place for most of today. He chose to pee in his crate afterwards. Still I can't complain, that's only once in 2+ weeks. Rocco and I have a standing date each night where I let him up on my bed to cuddle for a few hours. He has to share the bed with Peggy and Bishop, and again there has not been any issues!!! Rocco is not an overly large dog (50 lbs), but pound for pound he is the strongest dog in the house! When he wants something he can really pull on the leash. Fortunately for us he is really only intent on getting to my cats. LOL Outside however, he rarely pulls. I have stopped using the gentle-leader with him and rarely do I regret making that choice.LOL Now that we know that Rocco is capable of letting go of his "issues" about other dogs, I feel comfortable in saying that he would do fine as a companion to another dog (as long a his new forever family is willing to let him settle in). He is a very jumpy puppy and would do best with a family without very young children; 5years and older (only due to his goofy-strength, not his temperament). Are you the family that Rocco has been waiting for; active, patient and willing to help me with some obedience training? If so give us a jingle. 4/25/08 - Rocco is such a good boy! We have been working to socialize him more with the other 4-legs in the house. He is making micro-steps, but I still wouldn't trust him un-tethered. Last night he spent 2 hours on the bed with me watching TV. My greyhound, Peggy, was with us and Bishop joined mid way thru. Everybody slept in close proximity and Rocco only did a little growl once (to Bishop), but was quickly corrected with a "No". Rocco has made some progress being out with Peggy. His actions appear more settled, but Peggy rarely lets him get close enough to test this. They have had a few tail wagging encounters, but Peggy won't let it go beyond this and walks away. Rocco and Bishop can be in close proximity, but if either one feels "encroached" by the other you can sense the uneasiness. I have found that Rocco is the one who usually growls first. Earlier in the week Rocco and Maizy met "unexpectedly" and they had a bit of a tussle. Maizy of course made it out okay, but Rocco has a few marks on his front left leg. He has been limping on and off since then. I have been wrapping his leg in a hot towel several times a day in hopes of avoiding a costly vet appointment. Amazingly enough Rocco did not learn his lesson and will still occasionally growl at her when Maizy comes close to his crate. As always Rocco continues to be way too interested in the cats, thus they tease him all the more. LOL Yesterday while sitting on the couch with me, Rocco noticed that there were construction workers outside near the road. He started barking, alerting the rest of the group to do the same. Like my dogs he is good at "warning" you when the house is "being compromised." Rocco quickly settled down once put in his crate, and later when he had another "outing" the construction workers were long gone. Rocco is very playful with us and has met Grandma a did well. He gets very excited when Chris gets home at night and is very eager to play and jump with us while walking outside (even with his limpy-leg). My son (6 years old) is very taken with him and has decided that "Rocky is his REAL name." Rocco doesn't seem to mind and answers to both. Rocco is really a great dog. He is looking for a family that will have the time and energy to devote to his puppy-hood, after all he is only 12 months old (almost). Rocco is showing that he does okay with female dogs and with time and patience would probably like a "calm and collected lady" as a buddy. 4/18/08 - I am happy to report that Rocco visited the vet yesterday and is now an UTD and neutered boy!! The vet was very surprised by how developed he was for such a young dog and joked that it was good they didn't charge by the pound LOL. Even after one day I see that the hormone levels are starting to drop. I walked him today with my greyhound (female) and he actually behaved for most of the time. Just two days ago he was going after her for no rhyme or reason. Rocco is also starting to realize that if he wants out of his crate he needs to be good. He is such a good dog. I really enjoy our walks around the property in the AM. One on one he is nearly perfect! My hope is that over the next week I will be able to introduce him to being "free" in the house (dragging a leash). Rocco is still VERY interested in my cats when they pass by the crate. Half the time he lunges towards them. I don't think it's vicious, but it is still very forceful. For now I think a cat free home would be best. 4/15/08 - Rocco is scheduled to be neutered this Thursday at which time he will also be brought UTD on his vaccinations. It is my hope that the neutering will calm down his "fight/flight" response he continues to have towards my dogs. My "bully" Maizy has started to settle down and can be trusted to leave him alone when she walks by. However Rocco continues to growl at all the dogs when they come near. When I walk him he lunges towards my other dogs (even the greyhound who is very passive). As a result Rocco has been in his crate for much of the time he has been here. Amazingly, my cats find Rocco very intriguing. When he is out of the crate (leashed) with me and no other dogs are around they have passed within inches of him. One even rubbed up against his legs. It would appear that they are not sensing any aggression towards them. If unleashed I believe he would chase them, as he has tried to without success due to the leash. Whether he would be aggressive he if caught up to them remains a mystery and I am OK with that.LOL Rocco is very lovey to me and my family when he is alone with us 1 on 1. He is beginning to give small kisses every now and then. During walks he is pulling less. However, I still use the gentle leader just to be sure. Rocco is not enjoying his crate very much. He whines and whimpers on and off through out the day, begging to be let out. When I leave the house I can hear him howling and rattling his crate. I returned home yesterday to find his crate tray completely outside of his crate. I would appear for now that Rocco might be best suited in a house with no other animals, at least other dogs. He loves to go for walks around my property. He has love and energy in bulk to give. He would be a great dog for a family who enjoys outings and adventures! With exercise and obedience classes I can see Rocco being an A#1 family dog! 4/13/08 - I picked up Rocco from his owner yesterday. It was clear that she loves him very much, but due to extenuating "life circumstances" she can't keep him. Rocco was very upset when she drove away and cried much of the drive home. Once home Rocco heard the other dogs in the house and began to shake and put his hackles up right away. He was very nervous. Rocco had several other dog companions in his last home, so I am hopeful he will come around once the "shock" wears off. In the mean time he has been crated so that he can get used to the smells of the others. Since his crate can not be placed out of the way, they have been walking by and smelling each other through the bars. Rocco initially growled and shook when this happened, but with a firm "No" he stopped each time. This has been occurring less and less as time goes on. My dog, Maizy, who is NEVER receptive to new comers. Maizy has been very aggressive towards Rocco in his crate and he has responded in kind. For the time being both dogs are being crated until they decide to "get over it." Rocco was not raised with cats. He seems VERY interested in their presence. When I let him out of his crate he is immediately leashed because I don't trust him around them yet. The cats of course in true fashion, know when Rocco can't get to them and parade back and forth in front of his crate. This may help to get him used to them, or just antagonize him further. Time will tell. Rocco pulls when leashed for walks (he is very strong). I have been using a "gentle leader" on him as a result. He HATES it and has tried to get out of it, but this has makes walks much more manageable. Rocco is a very cute and people friendly dog. As I get to know him more and he begins to trust us, I'm sure he will blossom. Check back for more updates soon. I will work on getting some pics today. |
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| State: ME Age: 12 months (born 5/07) Weight: 50 lbs Sex: Male Neut/UTD: Yes/Yes Coat color: Flashy Fawn Docked Tail: No Cropped Ears: No Children under 4: Probably Children over 4: Yes Separation Anxiety: No Other Dogs: Some (better with submissive females) Cats: No Crate trained: Yes House trained: Yes Obedience Trained: No Leash trained: No Microchipped: No Adoption Fee: $200 |
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