About Sammy

Sammy is an ACD-beagle mutt and the handsomest dog you'll ever meet. He is stranger reactive but loves playing with and receiving affection from his humans and has plenty of dog friends he loves to wrestle with. He is very smart and independent, loves to learn, knows many commands and words, and will probably outsmart you at least a few times. Due to his anxiety, he would probably do best in a quiet home with a dedicated, experienced dog owner, a playful dog sibling, and no children. Sammy loves: - Food! He loves just about every fruit and vegetable and is incredibly food motivated. He loves food-based enrichment, especially when it involves ripping cardboard. - Exploring outdoors. He loves to go on long walks and hikes as long as he has plenty of time to sniff. - Learning new commands and skills. Sammy knows many commands and skills including stay, paw, kiss, roll over, middle, heel, and cooperative care skills. He enjoys training and earning treats. He is incredibly intelligent and learns new things quickly. - Getting pets and scratches, particularly on his tummy, chest, and ears - Wrestling and running around with his dog friends. Although he can sometimes be ambivalent about meeting a new dog, he makes friends quickly with playful dogs and loves to rough-house. - Playing with and/or destroying tennis balls, playing tug, chewing on his Gorilla Chew or a bully stick, burying baseballs, and chasing flirt poles - Chasing squirrels and chipmunks - Sitting & sleeping on or under couches and human beds Sammy does have a number of behavioral challenges that stem from his anxiety. Sammy's behavioral challenges: - Fear of foxes! - Fear of skateboarders - Fear of strangers getting in his personal space (he has a record of nipping and biting and needs to wear a muzzle outside) - he should be kept away from children - Anxiety around handling and grooming. He is especially sensitive about his paws/nails being handled and is scared of baths (he does best with nail filing as opposed to clipping) - Fear of strangers coming into the house. He is very scared of this and needs to be kept away from guests. - Doesn't do well with non-neutered male dogs - Resource guarding: He guards food and sometimes toys from other dogs and sometimes guards his human, space, or a toy from humans - Anxiety around going to the vet: he needs to be medicated - Fear of fireworks and other loud man-made noises (he's fine with thunder) - he needs extra medication on days when fireworks are set off

Montgomery County
Rockville, Maryland