Chewbacca lives up to his name- he 'talks' through growls, mumbles, and soft wuffs in an endearing way. He has a very sweet side and will kiss your face and show you his big puppy dog eyes. He is playful, LOVES to play tug with squeaky toys and is very proud when he has successfully 'killed' the squeaker. Chewy loves being outside, chasing bunnies and squirrels from the yard is a favorite pastime. He also loves snow, playing in it, eating it! He is wicked smart, picking up new tricks and challenges easily. He is generally very acceptable to training and shows great promise. He loves Kongs and puzzles as well. While he is not a cuddler per se, he will love some pets and seek you out when he's wanting some.
“Chewy” has a history of nipping and growling- he will people resource guard, occasional dog food guarding, some threshold guarding. He can be hyperactive, particularly if there is a lot of activity happening, and at night- a calming treat given 30 min before supper helps with the evenings. He easily favors women, but with a strong, patient man in the house, he will bond with him eventually too. He sometimes appears to nip or snap, although since we know all behavior is a form of communication, we can typically pinpoint it. He will growl to guard his 'resources'- his person (s), thresholds, and food (typically at human mealtimes). Sometimes this will quickly transition into jumping and nipping. His reactivity in some instances has been easier to address than in others, such as with the foster's son. They have learned methods to cope with this through leash wearing for control, water bottles to spray, and treats throughout the home for positive reinforcement.
Otherwise, Chewy is a puppy- he can find trouble to get into occasionally (stealing towels from the laundry room for example), learning when to bark and when to be quiet, what is acceptable to chew on and what is not. He can be such a fun dog! He has a 'lovie' that he carries around, will squeak, but not destroy. He has cuddled her, given her a bath in the water bowl, and adores her. Speaking of water bowls, he likes to 'go swimming' in the bowl, pawing at it playfully. He will dip his full snout into the bowl to retrieve ice cubes- so cute! Thinking he would love a pool in the summer to play in.
An ideal home for Chewy would be:
One with all females OR a patient male in the home. Chewy needs to know his place in the family pack. No children under 16. Chewy would do well with a jogger or a hiker, he seems to jog alongside naturally. A slightly older dog that is the same size or larger might be a good companion. Chewy needs a backyard to play in.
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