2/14 Hey All, Talan here
I wanted to get on this computer and tell everyone a little about myself, not that my foster mom hasn't done a good job or anything...   I am staying with 5 other friends and 2 pretty cool cats.  I enjoy hanging out with my new friends but I really enjoy people's company.  I love cuddling, I love the treats I get, I love being silly, I love playing....  I'd be ok sharing a home with a new K9 buddy though.  I love to be goofy and bouncy!  I have learned a lot by watching my new friends when new people come over that I haven't met yet.  I met a really nice lady last night and I wasn't even nervous once...My foster mom was SO proud of me.  I wasn't really nervous but I was aware that a new lady was in the house...I would peak around the other dogs and peak over the table at her...  Aunt Vicki was really nice.  Foster mom tells me that I get a little excited when people arrive and that I shouldn't jump up cause i'm so big, but really, I don't see the big deal.  Yeeeesh.  I will get into my kennel and stay there when they leave for work however i'm not the biggest fan of this and sometimes give my protests while i'm in there.  However, foster mom tells me it's for the best.  I think she should kennel the 4 other dogs and let me be free roam....maybe I can persuade her.  She tells me many times that 'i'm a good boy'!  I really like hearing that.  I like to go for car rides and I am very good riding partner, I pick a seat and sit right there like a good little man.   My foster home is great but I sure would love to have a home of my own!  Thanks for listening, Talan, AKA: Harvey Two Faced
 

1/28 Talan continues to do very well in his foster home.  He has become much closer with me since his arrival and seems to trust me now.  He is talkative to me, goofy, kissy, etc.  I have been working with Talan on handling: touching his nails, face, ears, etc...making good associations with these types of handling skills in a positive manner should help change his perception on being handled.  Without forcing or pushing him into something he's not comfortable doing we have got him through one hurdle:  He allowed me to trim his front nails after quite a few days on just touching and treating his feet.  Because he loves my husband so much I got him involved as well...  Wayne held Talan lightly (really just held him and talked to him) while I treated him and touched his feet...one nail at a time and patience we got through them all.  I did notice that at one point he urinated a little...  this is when I stepped up his challenge so I backed off so as to keep him at his comfort level and we got through the nail clipping. 

Talan will need lots of exercise, benevolent leadership, and mental stimulation.  I cannot express enough how much Talan really 'likes and trusts' men. A good friend of mine came over the other night (a female) and his fear was so bad that he started urinating.  He charged across the house making howling noises however reading his body language you could tell he was just very fearful.  He NEVER gave any indication that he'd bite or attack...he was just a bit overwhelmed with the new person and needed sometime to get to know her.  (fearful dogs have a tendency to react at the things/objects that fear them the most, in an intimidating manner, as a means to scare 'it' away before 'it' gets them)  After a few minutes he was absolutely fine with her...  he gave kisses, was wiggling and talking to her, was jumping up and bouncing.  On another note of liking men; when my husband goes outside to do some yard work or hang in the garage Talan will stick very closely to the windows and sit there and wait (it's very cute).  He has also started to get up onto the table in the dining area and he will just sit there and look out the window, just waiting for his long lost love to come back.  I think it gives him a better 'birds eye view' of the garage door....    When I catch him up there I just nicely ask him to get off and he obliges. 
So, his new home will just need to be aware that when being introduced to women of any kind they need to take things slow so as not to push things too far. 

Overall Talan is a joy to have here and has been no problem what so ever. 
 

1/4 Talan continues to do very well in his foster home.  Talan is crated when left home alone.  However he's not always a big fan on entering it sometimes.  So with a little assistance from one of us he will go into it.  He can get a little whiney and talkative in his kennel especially when he would rather be out and about running and playing with everyone.  He sleeps in his kennel at night in our bedroom and does very well with that.

I've noticed that Talan REALLY likes men.  It's not something you see a lot in dogs as it's usually the opposite (they are afraid of them) but he trusted my husband before he trusted me. I almost wonder if Talan has had a bad experience with a women that has made him untrusting of them.  When I first met Talan his tail was tucked and he was very nervous and confused.  When he walked through my work with me he looked at me with untrusting eyes and then when he saw the one male technician there...he was besides himself with joy!  He was bouncy, happy, and kissy towards him.  When the other female technician approached...  he was reserved and his tail went down again.  It took Talan a few days to trust me and give me the same goofy behaviors that he offers to my husband. 

Talan is happy, goofy, and very energetic however he also still loves to cuddle and have quiet time.  He plays very well with the 5 dogs here and seems to enjoy there company.  He has met my family over the holidays and did very well.  He sometimes gets a little jumpy and excited of visitors arriving but this is something that can be worked on.    With a little direction he walks well on a leash.  Without a little guidance/direction from his owner he will pull you down the street.  Talan is VERY smart and he's more then willing to learn new things.  As long as you guide and help him especially in high arousal situations (potty time, visitors entering) he will act appropriately.  Talan gets happy when he knows it's time to go outside for bathroom duties and does have a tendency to want to push through and get out there.  So we are currently working on 'wait' and 'backup' at the doorways.  When preparing food or their dinner he likes to be right under your feet so we are applying the previous instruction in the kitchen.  We ask him to back up into the living room and 'wait' there.  We don't much care how he chooses to do this whether it be sitting, down, or standing...as long as he doesn't cross the rug he's good.  We have not seen any type of guarding issues whether it's bones, treats, food, or water.  Talan is a great man! 
 

12/29 Talan has had a foster home change due to some issues that were seen at a vet clinic when he was brought in for presenting kennel cough symptoms.  Unfortunately within a short amount of time poor Talan has had to deal with a lot of change.  His foster home reported that Talan was a sweet boy but her vet recommended to not foster him anymore.  Talan would be best placed with older children.  Talan is an energetic boy who will need consistent exercise and leadership.  Talan is currently residing in his new foster home with 5 dogs (4  of which are boxers and a young boston terrier pup) along with 2 cats.  He gets along great with all the animals in our home.  I first met Talan at my work which is a Veterinary Clinic...and to say the least he was extremely fearful and very confused.  After spending some quiet time in our kennel with some cookies and water he did seem to relax a little.  He was still very unsure of me however within a couple days of being at our home he has turned into a large social butterfly and a typical goofy boxer boy. 
 

12/9 Talon is adjusting really well to his foster home.  He loves attention and gave lots of kisses to my kids. He is also getting along with our lab.  Talon knows the basic commands and lets us know when you needs to go outside.  He is very friendly with people and loves to play.  He is a very sweet boy.

Talon is a very handsome male boxer that is coming to us from a local shelter. He does fine with cats and other dogs.  Would be best placed with older kids only.  Talon is housebroken and crate trained and knows some basic commands.

Watch for updates once we secure a foster home and get to know this boy some more.