Willet was adopted 5/24/21 by Bruce Croissant (CO).
Date(s): 11/19/20. Album by Terry. Photos by Terry. 1 - 34 of 34 Total. 1405 Visits.
1 This handsome, regal fellow is 3 year old Willet.
2 He weighs a lean, muscular 32 lbs.
3 He is active, playful, and personable.
4 Willet came from a shelter that was having difficulty placing him because of his intense fear of strangers. He wouldn't let anyone get close to him and would bark and recoil if they tried.
5 When he first got to his new foster home, the unfamiliarity of everything was quite overwhelming to Willet. Scared, uncertain, and worried, not knowing what was coming next, he actually was confounded enough to accept proximity to his new foster dad. Over the subsequent several days, however, Willet repeatedly challenged the relationship (by barking at Gary whenever he would suddenly "appear" in the room), apparently forgetting that he was trustworthy.
6 But eventually, with gentleness and consistency on Foster Dad's part, Willet gained a new comfort level and would willingly jump up to share the sofa.
7 Getting accustomed to the household routine really helped reduce Willet's overall anxiety.
8 Despite seeming like his past has been lacking in normal socialization and experiences, Willet's house manners have been excellent. He rarely chews on something he shouldn't, doesn't get into waste baskets, doesn't "counter surf" or get onto tables, and doesn't try to snatch food. He jumps a lot, but it's up and down rather than jumping ONTO you. His one big challenge continues to be loud, insistent barking at strangers to the household.
9 If a newcomer is calmly, quietly sitting, however, not talking and not looking right at Willet, then Willet is eventually able to calm himself enough to forego the nervous pacing and barking. And he will actually stay quiet when strangers are about if he is in his crate, where he feels secure. He also does pretty well when he meets people on walks out in the neighborhood; he may stare at them and get a little tense, maybe even with a few huffs, but can usually resist barking.
10 Willet immediately got along great with his foster brother Robin. He will willingly share his bed, space, toys, and food. Willet would love to play with Robin, but Robin has no interest and gets snarky with Willet whenever Willet tries. Willet good naturedly ignores Robin's testiness and doesn't hesitate to try again and again to engage Robin, obviously hoping that this time Robin will change his mind.
11 Willet loves toys (especially the flying squeaky monkey!).
Download MPEG4 12 Click for a short video showing Willet interacting with me and a toy for the first time.
13 Willet is fairly independent. He does sometimes seek attention, particularly if his inner clock tells him it is almost meal timel He definitely enjoys couch time in the evenings and can be quite the couch hog.
14 Sweet, gentle boy.
Download MPEG4 15 Click to watch Willet's gentle enthusiastic acceptance of a treat.
16 We've been working on some initial training, including "Watch Me!" "Touch!" and "Sit!" He loves the training sessions. We are working toward getting him to make a strong link between "command" and reward, and being able to commandeer his focus when he is fixated on strangers.
17 Mr. Hopeful in the kitchen... because that is where good yummy things often happen. :)
Download MPEG4 18 Willet gets VERY animated at the prospect of dinner. Click to watch the video. He will also jump this high when he's excited at a critter on the other side of the fence. He has never actually used his jumping to try to get OVER the fence, but it does seem like he could if he wanted to.
Download MPEG4 19 Another video. Nothing but Willet just being his normal gentle tail-waggy self.
20 Willet likes to play "Hand" with his foster dad. He is always extremely gentle about it.
21 Willet's housetraining has been excellent. He learned to use the doggie door, but if it is closed, he will stand at the door to ask to be let in or out.
22 Willet likes to lounge outdoors in the sunshine, either on the deck or else by the gate to the garage, where Foster Dad often shows up (an exhilarating and wag-worthy occurrence!).
23 If it's a warm, sunny day and you can't find Willet, just look outside. He is undoubtedly napping...
24 No, it doesn't look comfortable to me, either, but he chose the location.
25 Willet LOVES walks and hikes. On hikes in the woods, he does an amazing job of following a trail, nose to ground, hardly ever making a wrong turn even when the path wasn't obvious to us humans.
26 He particularly liked it when we stopped for our picnic lunch!
27 Foster brothers watching the UPS truck to see if a person is going to get out and be bark-worthy.
28 "No, Ma, you don't need to get a bigger bed. This one fits me just fine.... see?"
29 Well... it sorta fits...
30 It may be small, but it's his favorite cuddle spot, no matter where it is.
Download MPEG4 31 Just quietly spending some chill time.
32 Willet is such a loving, loyal companion to those he has learned to trust.
33 Adopting Willet will take a good amount of patient training by a low-key, dog-savvy household.
34 But winning over the heart of this handsome lover will be well worth it.
