We decided to move Phoenix to another foster home without any other animals.  There was an incident with one of the other dogs in his previous foster home so we felt it was best to move him to a quiet place where he would get all of the attention. 

 

Our experience has shown that stress can cause many undesirable behaviors which are uncharacteristic to a dog.  These behaviors usually disappear in a peaceful environment that allows the dog to recover.  We are hoping that in time Phoenix will be able to coexist with other dogs in the home, but it is too soon to make that determination. 

 

Below is a report from his new foster mom:

 

"Phoenix has been with us for a little over three weeks now.  I think he is doing pretty well and is settling in nicely.  He definitely seems right at home, comfortable and happy.

Phoenix is so well behaved it amazes me.  He knows sit, down and paw.  We are working on stay and come.  He is also completely housebroken.  When left alone he has free roam of the house and has never gotten into anything he shouldn't have.  When I come home he goes absolutely crazy with his boxer wiggles and kidney bean dance.  He just can’t control his excitement.  He is perfect in the car and loves to go for rides.  He just curls up in a ball on the seat and you never hear a peep out of him.  Walks are pretty good.  He does pull a little but it has improved.

As previously reported by another foster home, Phoenix does have issues with construction tools.  He seems to be afraid and barks at the tool, especially tape measures, but then when you put the tool down he wants to investigate it.  So he is curious too.

We are a one dog home so I do not have any direct experience with Phoenix and other dogs, except for the ones he can’t see.  If he goes for a walk and hears another dog barking, he will get anxious and bark too.  We have a Husky that lives behind us but you can’t see him due to the fence.  Phoenix discovered the Husky the other day.  When they are both outside, Phoenix runs up and down along the fence and barks.  The Husky doesn’t do anything but whine.  We are working on trying to lure Phoenix in when this happens.  He is very food motivated, but very distracted when the Husky is outside.

Overall, I think things are going well.  He eats good, sleeps well and LOVES to play with his toys.  He prefers to play with you but he is perfectly content playing alone too.  Phoenix is a great dog with a sweet personality and he would make anyone happy.  I might also add, he is a very handsome boy and gets a lot of compliments.  He does have that “Boxer energy” at times, but that’s what I love most."

 

08/04/10: Foster Home Needed. Please help offset my costs as I am being boarded until the right foster home comes along for me; I need a really special home (patient, quiet, loving, fenced yard). I am only one of several dogs being boarded and the bills are climbing preventing NBR from being able to help other dogs in need. You may not be the right home however please consider sponsoring me...

06/08/10:

"Phoenix is doing great, and he continues to show more character month after month.  He enjoys the comfort of a routine …he’ll let you know when it’s out time or dinner time if you have forgotten - in many clever ways:)  He’ll start pacing by the door or poking his nose on my leg until sure enough, it dawns on me that I’ve forgotten his needs.  He loves his rides because he knows now it’s a fun adventure instead of a trip to the shelter.  He’s a pretty easy traveler, and doesn’t put up a fuss no matter where we are at.   

 

In my last update I had mentioned his anxiety about tools – he has gotten a ton better.  When he used to jump up when the tape measure came out, he just sort of looks over now.  I think it is a good indication of the stress he was under before. 

 

Phoenix surprised me a couple of weeks ago when he ‘gave a paw’.  I had not ever asked him to do this, but he knows it!  That makes Sit, Down and Paw all commands that he has mastered… I wonder how many other tricks he has up his sleeve? J

 

Everywhere we go, people comment on him.  He really is a handsome boy!  I hope it shows in the pictures.  This is him just hanging out in a hayfield, taking in all the action.

 

Phoenix has come a long way since his first update. He no longer shy and handles strangers without a hitch now. He is a loyal and happy and sometimes a little anxious. He is great in the house and totally housebroken.

 

He is doing great with all the excitement around the house since he has gotten used to it. Phoenix is ready for a home to call his own."

05/13/09: New Pictures!

04/22/10: Phoenix Is Getting Better and Better Every Week

• "Yes, I think he does very well with other dogs when properly introduced (he exhibits LOTS of anxiety at first, especially with wild puppy types, but has done well with several dogs that he has gotten to know over time).  He has one puppy friend that he just LOVES.  Once the anxiety is gone, he shares food and water and generally enjoys the play-time.  But it took a lot of parallel walking and sitting close on leashes before he trusted the other dog."

• "No, no, no.  I have not had any luck introducing Phoenix to my 2 cats.  He goes crazy when he sees them."

• "Phoenix is amazingly good when left alone.  He doesn't mind being in a crate but he’s an angel on free-roam, so being crated is not necessary. "

•  "No problems, he is great here too.  Phoenix is incredibly gentle when taking food from my hand."

• "I think it will depend on the adopter’s expectations of him.  Phoenix gets better every week, but he has anxiety issues that require human reassurance and plenty of attention. i.e. he is a little needy.  I’d also be a little nervous about how a potential adopter might approach him.  He’s not ready for a stranger to run up and hug him, you know?  As long as Phoenix is introduced in a slow, easy-going scenario, I think he’d be ready for his forever home."

3/18/10: Phoenix Has Risen From The Ashes of Abuse

We received a call from a Shelter Manager regarding a 3 year old boxer we named Phoenix who needed our help.  The Manager was concerned about his adoptability in the kennel environment and it was decided that he would not be placed up for adoption.  Phoenix was extremely frightened and not doing well.  He was reactive towards new people who would visit his kennel although he was very friendly with the staff that he got to know well.  Sadly, he had three homes prior to coming to the shelter and each home had a history of abuse.

When Phoenix first arrived in his foster home he was very guarded and unsure of men in particular.  We wanted to give Phoenix some time to recover from his stress and get to know him better prior to giving an update on the site.  From what we have been told Phoenix had gone through a lot in his short life and we knew he needed some much deserved TLC.  Once again, patience and time has proved to do the trick and he has improved immensely.

Below is the first update from his foster home:

"Just dropping a note to give you an update on Phoenix.  Overall, things have been going well.  He is settling in nicely and, for the most part, life has been peaceful and uneventful.

Vince and Phoenix are becoming buds –since Vince is at my house most workdays, and has assumed the role of 'chief dog walker'.  It is good to see Phoenix shadowing Vince around the house, especially since he seemed so apprehensive toward men at the start.  He also has been doing very well with my roommate Seth which has earned Phoenix free roam of the home during the day.

Phoenix still has some behaviors that we are working on, but he has made major improvements.  For instance, Phoenix has been very good about his walks (and loves to go on them) and has gotten much better about not reacting to people.  Every morning he walks by a group of kids at the bus stop – kids running, jumping, acting unruly – and Phoenix tromps right by them.

In the past few weeks, we have exposed him to new people and dogs at my house and he has done very well although we are still cautious.  Ohhhhww, he still wants to tear the cats apart though:-/

There have definitely been signs that he is feeling secure about his environment and he is showing he is happy.  He is definitely a couch dog, and prefers to stay inside.

Phoenix is still underweight.  He has filled out a bit however, he can be a finicky eater.  Although he is not a beggar, he loves people treats - but has a sensitive Boxer stomach."