Definitive Guide to Owen

Updated 30Jan17

Petfinder: Owen's Petfinder Profile
Age: ~2 years
Weight: ~13lbs
Food:   1C Purina One dry food
Treats:  Owen loves them all.  He is very treat motivated.
Good with Men: yes - he prefers men!
Good with Women: yes
Good with Children:  yes
Note: Owen has had a history of reactivity when being touched unexpectedly.  We have worked on it over the last couple months, and I am happy to say he's like a new dog!  I don't want to say he's 100% changed, because with a history like his, who knows what all of his triggers could be.  But I would confidently say that with the right knowledge, any family would find him to be a wonderful dog.
Good with Dogs: yes
Good with Cats: unknown
Housebroken: Yes.  He will ring the bells on the door when he wants to go out and if that doesn't work he will also whine.  Owen does seem to have a need to mark his territory.  It tends to only happen immediately after another dog has marked his territory, so it's not as if Owen just walks around marking all day.  This is easily curbed by taking him on long walks where he has a chance to empty his marking reserves, or by having him wear a belly band in the house.  If he got to choose, long walks are definitely preferred.  :-)
Crate Trained: Yes.  If I am in the room with the crates, he will go in on his own and take a nap.  Some days he just doesn't feel like hanging out, and he will voluntarily go lay in his crate even if I'm not in the room with him.
Leash Trained: Yes.  He gets so excited when he sees me grab a leash to go on walks.
Other Skills: He can sit on command.
Personality: Owen has a very loving personality.  He is always eager to please, and loves to play.  He plays well by himself, with other dogs, and with people.  He gets so happy when told he is a good boy (which is quite often)!  He hasn't quite learned his boundaries yet, so he does like to jump on people and other dogs to give kisses.  He has had a history of reactivity with items being placed around him, but he does very well with just a soothing voice, and calm petting.
Toys:  Owen loves to play fetch.  He also likes to play tug-of-war with ropes and stuffed animals.
Nicknames: Owen-bear
Ideal Family: Owen's ideal family would be one who has an active lifestyle.  He loves to be outside running around.  He will need someone who can train him (he's still just a puppy!).  And he would also like someone who will cuddle him.  He loves to give kisses!  A one-dog home would be ideal (due to his marking issues), but he does get along with other dogs and could definitely handle a multi-dog household!