Faith has been in a temporary foster home (1 week) while she waited for a place in "boot camp" to open. 

While in care, we have learned that she is indeed house trained, and she does know a few very basic commands. We also learned that she is very much a pup still in her behaviors, and will counter surf the second you aren't looking, will steal your laundry while you are trying to fold it, and will take off running in hopes you will play.

She loves toys of all kinds, and is happy to share them with you. 

She is not a fan of the camera and is really quite worried about it. 

She got on well with the two GSDs in her temporary foster, and will be tested further with small dogs and also cats. 

She is not a super high energy girl, but she does have the stamina to go the distance if you are looking for a running partner. 

Faith is a fairly easy girl, a little more laid back than her breed mix would lead us to think. 

She is smart and eager to please, and really is just looking for a place to belong in this world where she will be safe and well loved. 

This very sweet girl has already been let down twice in her two and a half years. 

Her next home, must be her last home, and nothing less than stellar will do. She is a very deserving girl, who needs someone that thinks the sun rises and sets on her, but can still be objective enough to give her firm and consistent leadership. We have already seen a huge step forward with Faith, and with the right match, she will continue to thrive.

As we learn more about Faith during her training program, we will update her page to show her progress. 

July 28th 2008 ~ Update ~ From Faith's trainer

She is really affectionate and loves attention and has a will to please which is very nice. She does have drive but its mixed with fear and uncertainty .... that said her drive is all over the place as the world is quite new and somewhat scary. I am trying to focus it into a ball and appropriate play, but this will take time. 

 

She is fine with my little dogs (albeit she plays a bit rough so I have to watch her) and  the dogs in daycare (she is obsessed with Tiny!)  and she has met two of the three cats at home and shows great interest in the beginning, but once I take her over and  she's had a good sniff (keep in mind my cats are dog savvy and do not run) she will ignore them. I think ,if a cat was to run she would chase it, but she does not show ANY offensive aggression. She pretty much ignores the livestock now as well.

 

We have been working on a six foot recall to auto sit with some distraction and she is doing well in the exercise, however this is a girl that is learning a lot about life and  bonding now.

She has obviously missed critical imprint periods with people as a puppy and that will affect her life long. She does not try to make a break for it, but on the long line has has wandered off when a bird or smell grabs her interest and has no interest in returning. So we are working hard on this but she will need someone in her new home who understands how important it is that she is not let off leash unless in an enclosed area until the bonding/respect has been achieved. She is now just starting to pay attention to me on occasion. But when she is having fun she does not 'check in' as many dogs do, she is not concerned with loosing you that's for sure.

 

Anyway so far she is progressing well, and we shall see how this goes this next week

 

August 6th 2008 ~ Update ~ From Faith's trainer

Faith has mastered most of her basic obedience commands on a six-foot leash, she is fluent with her heel and automatic sit (verbal command Heel). Sit stay, down at and away from heel (at a six foot distance) down stay, six foot and long line recall (verbal command here with her name in a happy voice) and finish to heel.

We have started crating Faith overnight and while we are out for up to two hours at a time during the day, she always gets a treat, a cookie or bone, and we leave the radio on to help sooth her.  I recommend this continue for at least the first month in her new home, she is a dog that thrives from consistency and schedule and her crate is a big part of this, also it has become a safe zone for her, it will also help with confidence in her new home, every dog needs time alone esp. when introduced to new home as Faith is sweet she has a tendency to become needy if allowed and will paw at you or demand attention, crating for an hour a day while you are home will help her to overcome this.

On occasion she will bark if left alone, and a Malinios bark can peel paint let me tell you. We have been using the word “Quiet” in a firm voice and if it continues we follow up with a deterrent spray (bitter apple or lemon juice and water). As soon as she sees the bottle she is quiet, then we praise her and leave again. She is catching on quickly to this!  

Overall Faith is a fantastic dog that has had a rough start in life and deserves a firm but fair loving and understanding home.

August 9th 2008

This beautiful girl has had a wonderful family apply, and come to meet her. Faith and her new family are quite smitten with each other and they are looking to bring her home on Monday. Yay for Faith! She has found her special place in this world, and will never be turned out and forgotten again.  Years of loneliness are all behind her now. Sometimes everything just turns out as it should.

We couldn't be happier for Faith and are looking forward to hearing all about her in her new home.

 

August 11th 2008 ~ Adopted!!!

Madeleine & Les ~ In honor of Ellie Michael & Penny Jaime & Wes

Vickie Liao Dayle Francis