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Our trip to Durango was cut short by differential problems in the Jeep. We ended up having to turn around and drive slowly back to Glendale. In the middle of the Navajo Reservation, Patty noticed a small puppy sitting along the road so we turned around and he ran up to the car. We offered him water and food and we drove him around to a few houses to see if we could find his owners, no luck. He looked to be about 6 weeks old and was a mess. His ribs were sticking out, he had fleas and ticks. His mouth was all cut up as if he had been eating prickly pear. He was very dirty and sad. We ended up getting to Cortez Colorado and bought a kennel, leash, collor, flea collar, food, bowls, toys, brushes, and all the other accoutrements of puppying. We found a motel that took pets and gave him two baths, cleaned his ears, (very yuck!) brushed him and fed him. We then set to work on removing the ticks and cactus needles from his coat. He yelped for an hour but he started looking reasonably canine again. He slept like a baby between us but was suffering from nightmares all night. He has us hooked.

On Monday I took him to our vets and they gave him a complete physical. He has parasites in his ears and his intestines. We got him all his shots. the vet then gave us the grim news; this was not the terrier / mutt mix that we thought we found but rather a German Shepard / Rotwieller (sp) mix that the vet seems to think will grow to about 140-150 pounds. He does have a sweet disposition and is very smart. Our three cats are not happy with the new addition, to say the least. As soon as I remember how to send a photo, I'll do so.

He just a puppy and will definately get over the chewing and carpet problems. From the picture, I can tell you he will be an excellent dog. When he is close to 6 months he will sort of start to listen better. At two years old he will become the most awesome dog you could imagine. They are smart and he knows you rescued him. Now he says he will have the opportunity to be a puppy for a while and forget all those horrifiying experiences before you found him. This one is special.

Glad to hear the dog is well. I can relate as I just got back from 3 days staying on the Zuni rez in New Mexico. I noticed that all the dogs there (be they strays or pets) are slow and sick like, very lethargic. It is kind of eerie, almost like they are possessed in some way. They move very slow and sort of just stare into space. They are not healthy. The natives believe they are empty lost souls, some are without a spirit, or are harnessed by bad spirits. As one native told me, dont worry we dont eat them, LOL. It's hard not to feel sorry for them or want to rescue one.
On side note, we got access into some tribal land areas to explore, (fantastic!) so I will share that as soon as I get some pics. The Zunis are great human beings and I felt extremely blessed as they gave us a few ancient relics to bring home. I was also give a custom made Zuni bracelet and fetish so I felt honoured. Very giving and hospitable people. Looking forward to a return trip.
Give the puppy a hug for me.

I know it's a cutural thing on the res., Sande, but I'd rather see a human suffering in the desert than a dog or a cat. they are pets, and we are responsible for the health and safety.

I'm starting to understand those people that end up with 30 cats and 12 dogs . . . . . . . .

My sister went up to a reservation in northern Washington last week and found a full-blooded Siberian Husky puppy abandoned on a beach there. It had all kinds of sores on it's body and was terribly skinny. She brought it back home and he's doing much better now. The two older dogs she has don't want anything to do with him, but the English sheepdog thinks it's great that he's got a new playmate.

Rescuing a dog is a great thing, but be careful. A few years ago we rescued a beautiful German Shepard from the desert. He was dirty and mangy and after cleaning him up he was a great dog. Obedient, house trained, never had any problem with him for almost a year, until the day he deceided he wanted to kill my wife.
They fought for 5+ minutes before she managed to get away from him and get on her feet, after he nearly ripped the back of her head off. At that point she was able to get him outside and call 911. He attacked for no reason, and wanted to kill, it was not just a bite. She said he got more vicious the longer it went and she nearly gave up. I thank god every day she didn't, and every day I regret bringing that dog into my home.
I thought it was odd for a dog to attack like that, so I did a lot of reasearch afterward. It turns out it's not uncommon for a rescued dog to turn for no reason. Anything could set them off. A previous owner may have beat them with a shovel, they see you pick up a shovel and they attack...
Be very careful, especially with that Husky. Do your homework and watch for the signs. That's a big strong dog and you don't know what it's been through before you found it. Don't believe me, do some web searches on dog attacks and see for yourself.

As for my wife, today, over a year later, physically she's fine. Her hair is grown back and today you would never know anything happened. She's still scared to be home alone, but she's much better. She suffered broken fingers from trying to get his mouth off her and two very large, to the scalp, rips in the back of her head one 2+inches, the other over 4 inches. The rest of her head was covered in scratches from him biting at her head, but not cutting into anything. There were too many marks to try to count how many times he bit at the back of her head.

Thanks for the heads-up and I'm sorry your wife endured an attack like that. I'm not an expert, but I've owned dogs most of my life and I think I can spot a mean one.

If "Scout" ever attacked anyone, I would have him autopsied because their is no way a puppy, I took into my home at the age of 6 weeks could ever get that mean without me seeing warning signs. I watch "Scout" play with the cats, and it's apparent to me he is playing, he doesn't stalk them, he doesn't lie in wait for them. I did have a English Retriver who spent most of his day stalking other creatures. My dad saw that behavior and told me I was in for trouble. Pappy was right, that dog turned out so territorial and nasty, I ended up giving him to a farmer in the UP of Michigan where he could hunt in peace.

I don't mean to dispute your advice, I don't mean to say you were at all at fault, and it will be a long time before I trust "Scout with children alone. I do understand where "Scout" came from, and I very aware of the possibilites of behavioral problems with him. Sometimes you just have to take a leap of faith in life. I didn't rescue "Scout" because I was looking for a great dog, I rescued him because I am responsbile, in some small way for all God's creatures, great and small.

Rick

First, again, congrats and thank you for being a puppy savior! We rescued a 2 year old, abused, lab/dalmation mix about 6 years ago. She is extremely loving with us and few close friends, but we would never leave her in a threatening sitiuation (like new people) or with cjildren alone. She's a terrific dog that just had a bad puppyhood! We think dogs are like kids---they need lots of love and to be raised right! Good luck!

Getting the dog at 6 weeks old and being a small dog, you should be fine. The German shepard we got was at least 2 and we were pretty sure he was heavily abused before being released to the desert.
There are a lot more warning signs then the ones you mentioned and if you have any concerns about your dog, do your homework. I wish I did before this happened.
I don't want to scare anyone, but I don't want anyone to go through what me and my wife went through. I thought he was the greatest most loving dog. He'd play with the cat, he loved children... He'd come sit on my lap and would never leave my side when I was around. He showed no obvious signs of being a dog capable of attacking someone, and like you, me and my wife have had dogs since we were old enough to walk. The signs are subtle and easy to miss. Can you stare your dog down? When you lay on the floor does he try to lay on top of you? When going through a door does he always try to be first? can you take his favorite food out of his mouth? Does he sleep on your bed? Does he eat before or after you eat?
I'm not saying don't rescue a dog or take your dog to the pound, just be careful and do your homework.

Gosh, Scout scored high in reference to your concerns until you mentioned the bed, lol. All your points are valid and I'll keep an eye on him.

Snick, I missed this topic when I returned from my "meander" and just now found it when I got back from a week in CA. I think it's really great that you saved that pup and think, at this age, there's little chance of him turning mean. Check out some of the following:

( dead link removed )

Dr. Ian Dunbar's a DVM and animal behaviorist who developed the "Sirius Puppy Training" program. My pups, Bo & Dew, went through his program and, when I was breeding and showing, I gave a $50 rebate to everyone who put a puppy through his program.
Some tips.....you and Patty need to frequently give, then take away, food, toys and treats; have visitors do this as well. And you can teach him "Bite Inhibition" by yelping and turning away EVERY TIME he puts his teeth on you. He's doing this because that's how puppies play. He needs to learn that you're NOT gonna play like that if he puts his teeth on you. Don't jerk your hand or foot or what ever he's biting away 'cause that can just cause him to snatch at it, just pull it away slowly. One of Dr. Dunbar's methods and it really works....but EVERYONE has to practice this consistently!
I'm proud of you!!!!