Grumpy Guts .... hates small dogs

Dear little Mr Grumpy Guts, affectionately called Grumps, has actually bitten a couple of people. Not me. I am careful how I handle and interact with him. He is fast turning in to a lovely little dog.

When he arrived with us, he was assessed as fear aggressive, possessive of toys, and likely to attack other dogs. This shocker did try to attack a massive male wolfhound. Lucky the big boy just ignored him.

He has spent quite a bit of time inside and would be sure that he is housetrained as he has not had any accidents at all.

Most unhappy when being groomed when his back feet were being touched.

He has met a smaller maltese girl and he was absolutely horrid, extremely dominant, so not suitable for smaller dogs at all.

He is living with two larger and older female dogs. One is quite snippy and he is a bit reactive to that one.

They are all able to be fed treats together, in a sit position. He understands that they all have their own and he isn't to touch theirs. He doesnt mind going in a crate, if he has a sleeping toy with him.

Grumps is happy being outside. A rabbit ran out in front of him and he hardly stirred. Having said that, he hasn't met a cat that I know of, but it probably wouldn't be pretty.

He is quite happy sitting on my knee, so long as he feels secure and knows I wont drop him. He has met an 8 year old confident boy, and wanted to jump up for pats. A quick "ah ah" and he knows to stop. today he met my 91 year old mother and he was very gentle and loving with her. Did not try to jump at all, but he did jump on my sister.

He is not a dedicated barker. He does bark a little, but normally in response to another neighbourhood dog. He doesn't bark at night. He is a clean little boy, and has just started to learn the delights of being praised for "wee wee" outside. No accidents in my house as yet, fingers crossed. Very quick learner for praise.

He will need regular brushing, as he is beautifully silky, and has lovely grey and peach toned fur mingled with the white. Will need to be groomed, and possibly will need to wear a muzzle until he is relaxed about it. I don't think he had much love or care in his old life.

He walks okay on lead. Meanders a \ bit. May have some lead aggression, but I haven seen it yet.

Now for the sort of family he would suit. Ideally, would suit an older couple as an inside/outside dog. When the grandchildren came over, he would need to be supervised so they couldn't hurt him, or he couldn't bite them either, as he would retaliate. He would not suit a household with children under 6 as they would not be able to read any signals he gave.

Having said that, he really is a gentle and loving little boy, when on his own, and I fear that calling him Grumps is doing him an injustice, so would probably benefit from a name change.

This little man is currently located in Diamond Creek.

If you would like to meet Grumps, please complete an adoption interest form at:

http://www.startingoverdogrescue.org.au/adoption--expression-of-interest-form.html