Digby
True to Tigger form, this pint size pup is packed with personality. Digby is such a character that he will not only keep you in stitches with his antics, but he can also keep himself amused for hours with his toys. He loves to wrestle with them, toss them in the air, and repeat over and over again.
Despite all of his energy, Digby exhibits the keen self-control and intelligence that german shepherds are known for. He learned the “down” command within minutes this past weekend. Digby knows how to heel, and he struts his stuff beautifully on the leash with his head held high and his tail wagging just like a true performer. Digby was cat tested twice with the crankiest cat we could find. No kidding…this kitty was hissing and spitting, but Digby wasn’t going to let the fussy feline ruin his day. He just kept his eyes glued to his toys and a goofy, happy-go-lucky smile plastered on his face.
Unlike Tigger, the unfortunate thing about Digby is that he is the only one of his kind! Don’t waste any time making arrangements to meet Digby because he won’t have to wait long to find a permanent audience.
Update from digby's foster Mom 4/16/08:
He has been crated each night and has been good about going in his crate. Once inside for the night he settles down nicely and we go to sleep.
During the day, I have left him uncrated to see how he does. (Brave or dumb, huh?) (I hope that is ok with Coastal GSR) Well, he is very well behaved, I am happy to say. Nothing was disturbed, no counter surfing occurred. Ok, a magazine did seem to travel from the kitchen to the living room, but was not torn apart. No accidents, either! I have an extra large window sill in the living room that he has taken to sitting on when I leave, though. Neighbors have commented on seeing him sitting or laying on the window sill waiting for me to come back.
He is walked twice daily by one of my neighbors who has a dog walking business. She says of all the dogs she walks, Digby is the best dog to walk. I agree. He stays by my side, he does not lunge or pull at all. He is curious of other dogs, but does not over react when they misbehave and bark and lunge at him. He just wants to move the heck on and find a friendlier dog to meet! He behaves well with big dogs and small dogs. He enjoys playing with my dogwalker’s pomeranian! The little dog likes Digby, but when he has had enough , he lets Digby know, and Digby leaves him alone. He is so darn smart. Digby also enjoys meeting people, men, women and children. He prefers people to approach him gently. He did get a little protective when my over enthusiastic neighbors approached, but when I told him everything was ok, he was fine.
As a side note, he gave a little growl when he saw a man with a hooded sweatshirt pulled over his face and my dogwalker said that on 4/8 he gave a little growl when one of the neighbor boys approached on his scooter with a helmet on. I think if children approach too enthusiastically, he gets a little nervous - or is he being protective? I'm not sure.
As a side note, he also played very well with a little dog at Petsmart. The two of them were really going at it. The owner of the little dog had to tell me everything was ok, since I wasn’t used to their roughhousing! They had a great time.
Digby has a good appetite, but does not overeat. He is very much the gentleman when he waits for his food. He lays on the kitchen floor with this front paws crossed until his food is ready. And he has no food aggression from what I could tell, I picked up some food and put it back in his bowl while he was eating and he didn’t mind my being there. And once he was scooting his food bowl around the kitchen floor and I picked it up and put in on the carpet and he didn’t mind that either. One cute thing he does is hide a kibble or treat now and then. I have found treats tucked behind pillows on my sofa and bed, and I have one or two hiding in plants. Sometimes they are just out in the open, against a baseboard, but he always makes a motion with his nose as if he is burying the food.
Besides walking well on the leash, Digby knows a few other commands. “Down” is one of his favorites to perform. We are working on ‘sit’ which sometimes gets confused with down. I am also working on ‘stay’ and ‘come’. The one thing that will be necessary to train him, is to not jump on people and not chew on arms. He is just so darn happy to meet everyone! He will stop jumping and chewing when I turn and ignore him and say ‘SCHET’! But sometimes he does it when people come in the house and put their arms up the air or talk excitedly to him. Its a matter of training the people too.
Digby seems to be potty trained. He has not come up to me to tell me has to go outside though. I let him out or walk him frequently enough, I suppose. The first day at my house he did pee in the laundry room, but I am sure that was due to the cat litter box being there. And it only happened once. I just let him outsite right away to go to the bathroom. I did not reprimand him or scold him any way. He usually poops on our walks, but if he has to go in the yard, he picks the farthest corner on the side yard. Very considerate!!
Speaking of the cat, Digby seems to have a healthy respect for her. He is ver y curious and wants to meet her and play with her. Sometimes he gets very frustrated that she does not want anything to do with him. Poor guy! She just hisses and bats at him and hides under the guest room bed. I think he would do well with a dog savvy cat.
As you described he plays ver y well with his toys, he really does throw them up in the air and he even bats around and chases a tennis ball. I wonder if learned that from a previous cat friend?? :D He really loves his toys.
One day I was taking Digby to an obedience class and an ambulance came by. Digby howled when the abmulance went by. He really has a deep voice!
By the way, he LOVES riding in the car. And is pretty much well behaved, unless there is someone in the backseat with him then its all play!
If you are interested in meeting Digby, please contact Teresa via email at baltao@sbcglobal.net. Don't forget to fill out our online application.
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Digby’s life at Home:
Digby is a happy, clowny, high energy boy just like he was described, but he really does know when to settle down. He is a joy to have around. For example, right now as I am typing he is lying on the floor next to me napping. Saving up energy for our next romp, I suppose! He also quiets down quickly if I am on the phone, doing chores, cooking, or if I sit down to watch the news or TV. But he has such a joy for life, he makes me laugh all the time.