Sampson

Sampson is a handsome and stunning purebred border collie who came into foster care as an owner relinquishment having lived in an outdoor kennel and garage most of his life. During this time he learned basic obedience commands with formal training but never got to enjoy the luxury of living inside a home.

The part of the day he loves most is playing and running outside 2-3 times a day. He and his foster brother, Kody, run around the yard and then Sampson is playing with a basketball, catching a frisbee, playing with a soccer ball, and hunting chipmunks. He has a cute way of hitting a basketball back to you with his nose when it's thrown to him. This boy is all about play and it's obvious he enjoys the outdoors but after about 20 min. of play, will rest in the shade, and may want to play some more. When it's time to come inside he is then happy to relax, curl up and take a nap by your side.  He loves belly rubs and getting massages and will reward you with a few kisses, a paw on your arm, tail wags, a loving look into your eyes and/or a nudge or all of the above.

Indoors Sampson enjoys playing with stuffed toys but does not care if they squeak or not and likes an occasional chew on a bone. He also likes to keep an eye on his foster mom and hopes his forever family won't mind him following around and helping out with chores and hanging out together. He gets along wonderfully with his foster brother exhibiting good manners.  With strange dogs, he's neither dominant nor submissive---just wants to get acquainted.

When Sampson first came into rescue and started living indoors, he was like a slinky, darting here and there with an anxious expression, worried about every little noise or flickering light. Be it the TV, washer/dryer, vacuum, microwave, reflections on the wall, etc., every new sight and sound was like a monster to him. But with some time to adjust, Sampson has made tremendous progress and has also become potty trained. He is much more relaxed now and has gotten used to the sights and sounds indoors. He does continue to get spooked by some sounds (the noisy trash truck, cars with loud boom boxes, and especially thunder). He scurries around for a second and then decides that his covered crate is the safest place to be. Then after the monster has left, he comes out of hiding all wiggly and happy.

Sampson sleeps in his crate at night also but does not like the crate door being shut for any length of time (probably due to him being kenneled for so long in the past). But he is not destructive at all and when I leave home, he and Kody have access to 3 large rooms and he has been a perfect gentleman.

The ideal family or person for Sampson would be one who has border collie experience, a fenced yard (privacy or chain link), older or no children, and maybe a companion dog to keep him company especially if his family is not home all day.  He will need a secure fence as he can be distacted outside at times by loud cars/trucks, motorcycles and if not absorbed in playing, tends to run towards the noise and if a fence wasn't there, may take off after the sound. When being walked on leash and he sees a car coming he crouches giving it the border collie "eye" unless you distract him. But we've been working on this and lately he has been doing much better.  Bicycles, skateboards, sidewalk scooters and running children do not seem to bother him when we're on walks.

Sampson is good with all ages of children but is a typical herding dog whose herding and possibly nipping instincts might get the best of him, so a home with older children or no children would be best.  He will need someone who understands his lessening quirks (the fear of thunder, however, will probably never leave him) and give him a lot of love and attention which he will return. Although Sampson is not a high drive BC, a family that will provide his exercise and playtime needs of 2-3 times a day would be desirable to keep him happy.

It may seem like Sampson might be difficult to have as part of your home, but really, as long as you realize he just needs a little extra TLC, he will be the most loving dog you could ever hope to meet. He wants nothing more than to please you and be shown affection and guidance. Won't you consider making Sampson a part of your family?

7/7/09

Sampson is enjoying the summer taking walks, playing ball outside, walking through the wading pool and then coming inside to cool off usually standing in front of the fan.
 
His recall off leash is much better but needs more work especially when he's busy chasing after his foster brother Kody.

The Fourth of July wasn't as bad as I thought it would be for him.  He basically just got up from his usual napping place when he heard a boom or a bang and wandered around a little finally deciding to lay in the dog bed in the kitchen instead of his crate.  Stayed there most of the night.

Sampson has been on many car rides and is always ready to go.  I use a doggy seat belt for him which is good as in his case, when he sees a motorcycle he tends to jump at it when it goes by.  A lot of the time he lays down in the back seat so misses out on those instances.  He is very funny to watch as if he sees a cycle sitting still, even if it's in a yard and no one is on it, he will watch and watch it just waiting for it to move. 

He is getting more acclimated to being indoors regarding most noises, but the sound of trash trucks, thunder and fireworks still bother him.  Now he mostly just lifts his head from napping if he hears something, perks his ears up, and listens for a bit, then goes back to sleep.   Even though he is better with the noises, he is having issues with a couple of objects in the house.  Although I have had a 10 gal. fish tank with a couple of fish since I've had him, he never noticed them until last week.  We were at the vet's and he saw a 100 gal acquarium with a couple of 10" fish in it and he couldn't decide whether to try and attack them or walk backwards and be scared of them.  Then when we got home he noticed my acquarium.  He doesn't know what to think about it and wants to stare and sniff at it all the time until I cover it.  Then he noticed his reflection in the door of the dishwasher and I guess he thinks there's another dog on the other side.  He stares at that and keeps looking left and right thinking there might be a way in there to meet that other dog.   The vet suggested using medication temporarily so he could focus on instruction better while I work with him on "leaving it" as that doesn't work right now. 

Someone emailed me asking how Sampson was with cats.  The only cat he has met is my daughter's cat, Biggs, who weighs about 14 lbs.  This cat owns the world and any dog (no matter how big) who comes into my daughter's home, he is right there ready to swat that dog in the face, hiss, and trot off.  Needless to say Sampson has gotten a taste of that welcome twice now and is afraid of him.  Walks way around Biggs.  Now if it were a cat that runs away from dogs, I don't know how Sampson would react.

We will keep everyone updated on Sampson's progress. Right now he has snuck up on the couch to take a nap.

8/6/09

Happy Birthday Sampson!  He has a birthday next week and will be 7 years young.

Sampson has been introduced to more experiences in the past month.  He got bathed, groomed and got his ears cleaned at the same time.  They said he was a really good boy.  Also got his teeth cleaned and at that vet's office he met a couple of cats that were wandering around the office.  They were dog savvy and didn't run.  He just sniffed them.

My 3 yo granddaughter spent a day and night at my house last month and Sampson was real good with her.  He just figured she was another human who had hands that would pet him.  I didn't let her run around the yard while he was outside fearing he might nip her ankle but she threw balls for him and he liked that.

Sampson learned to use the doggy door when he first came here but I kept it shut as all he wanted to do was stay in the kennel.  (The doggy door in the laundry room leads out to a covered locked kennel).  I wanted him to get used to being inside.  Now he goes in and out once in awhile but doesn't stay in the kennel very long.  If his foster brother, Kody, goes out, then he will him out and will fthen follow Kody back inside. 

Another new adventure he started last week was agility training.  We've only been twice so far but Sampson is doing real well.  The only equipment he doesn't quite grasp is the tunnel.  I feel the class will help him build his confidence.  He's also gone to a doggy play group and gets along great with all the dogs.  Likes running around with them.

Sampson has been on behavior medication for a month now and I am working with him on his obsession regarding seeing his reflection in certain objects and the fish in the aquarium (see previous update).  The behavior vet said she felt he should be on the  RX for at least 6 months and then be weaned off if he is doing okay.  The RX is to help him focus on his training to get him to start paying less attention to these objects.  I have been gradually lifting the cover on the dishwasher door and telling him to "leave it" and he has been doing pretty good with it so far.  I am taking it very slowly with this training as it can't be rushed.  He doesn't seem to have gotten any better since last update regarding certain noises he hears when he's indoors (loud cars, trucks, cars with boom boxes going down the street).  Still doesn't like thunder or fireworks whether he's inside or outside.  Indoors when he hears the cars, trucks, etc., he still just looks around when laying down, gets up and walks around the room or goes to another room and then comes back to lay down.  Sometimes goes in the kitchen and lays down on a dog bed there.   There are times he hears something I don't even hear and he does the same routine.  If the noise lasts long enough, I get a toy and play with him to get his mind off it but usually the noise is here and gone too fast.  Don't know if he'll ever get used to these noises or not but hopefully in time he will. 

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