STATE: near Hartford,CT
AGE: 8 years
DOB: 10/27/15
WEIGHT: 58 lbs
SEX: Male
NEUT/UTD: yes/yes
COAT COLOR: brindle
DOCKED TAIL: Yes
CROPPED EARS: No
CHILDREN under 4: yes, with dog savvy kids
CHILDREN OVER 4: yes
SEPARATION ANXIETY: No
OTHER DOGS: yes
CATS: no (too rough)
CRATE TRAINED: yes
HOUSE TRAINED: learning
OBEDIENCE TRAINED: somewhat
LEASH TRAINED: yes
MICROCHIPPED: yes
ADOPTION FEE: $475
2/20/24-We got the results today on the DM genetic test & unfortunately our suspicions were confirmed & Tyson has 2 copies of the DM mutation (one from each parent) in the gene that causes DM. So with his gate showing slightly worse (can hear his nails scraping at times when walking outside), it is determined he does have degenerative myelopathy(DM). This means he will eventually need a doggie wheelchair & sadly his lifespan will be shortened to maybe another year or so. Lucikly their mind & happiness stays until their mobility is too difficult. This may be why he has accidents at times but doesn’t seem to know he is having them (DM affects the bladder). We are going to try a belly band to help with this & vet also said one last test can do. It will compare his ALP levels to a prior test old owners had done & if there is issue there may be a medicine to help that. Will try to get him in next week for this last test. Tyson through everything he is a sweet, goofy, playful boy who loves the little kids & to romp in the yard. I love how he runs. It’s like a gallop. He is very cute! He loves the grass and rolling around in it too.
2/18/24-Tyson took a road trip this weekend. He met my brothers male 8year dog. In a good way there was nothing to note. The 2 dogs kept their distances from one an another. Tyson would have played if the other dog was willing but the other dog didn’t seem interested. Tyson did great in the car for the 3.5hours. We didn’t even know he was with us. He laid on his bed the entire time. He did well with meeting new people and greeting them with a lot of kisses. He slept in his portable crate at night. A little whimpering at first when we went to bed but he settled right down. He makes a good road trip buddy! Even though we were careful with his water intact at a new place, Tyson unfortunately had multiple accidents throughout the weekend regardless of how many times we let him out. Possible behavioral as he was nervous to a new place but we will talk to the vet this week as the electrolytes test didn’t show any difference with or without them.
2/6/24-Tyson had his vet appointment & his urine test came out fine. No findings for UTI, crystals or diabetes. Vet said to try him on electrolytes by adding it to his water as it helps flush out his kidneys. The instructions I was given was to write down how much he drinks without the electrolytes for the next 2-3 days, then start giving him 3-4 liters of electrolytes for 3 days & repeat taking notes how much he is drinking. If it’s less that is a good thing. If it’s the same I will need to follow up with the vet. His ears were fine too, no yeast or infection. The vet said his gait was now very suspected that it could be early stages of degenerative myelopathy (DM), a non-painful degenerative spinal cord disease that eventually causes hind limb paralysis in older dogs. It is often seen in boxers & looks similar to human ALS/Lou Gehrigs disease. The vet recommended doing a genetic test to see if he has the DM gene but it will take a couple of weeks for the results. More updates soon.
2/2/24-Things are going well with Tyson. He has calmed down around the kids & less incessant kissing. He is however begging more at the table or very close by the kids during snack time as he learned the kids are sneaking him food. LOL My 2 sons are mamas boys and now Tyson is too. When one sits on my lap 2 more follow…it’s very cute. While my husband sits comfortably on the couch alone. Lol Tyson would be great now with little kids as long as they are big dog savvy. His cage is in the kitchen & when I cook dinner he lays in his cage instead of being near my ankles waiting for anything to drop. Tyson is on a 2 day streak for not peeing in the house too, fingers crossed the accidents before were just behavioral/weather related. He is going to the vet next Tuesday 2/6 though to check his ears (may have infection), see why he is still drinking a lot (medical or behavioral?) & also see more about his gait when walking. More updates next week after his appointment.
1/23/24-Tyson is doing great! I work from home with Tyson. He is very chill. You wouldn’t even know he was there. Tyson is doing great with the kids, no food aggression just jumpy which can be a lot for some under 4 year olds. Our young sons are in no danger with him besides being licked to death & knocked over! Lol Tyson met another male dog on a on our walk, both had their leashes on. The other dog was very much a puppy. It was a very cute interaction. I loved seeing Tyson box. Tyson did more sniffing around the surrounding than playing . I also want to mention he has bad breath. I bought him some dental bones that seems to be working. He does drink a lot still & is having some accidents in the house. He hates the snow and cold & doesn’t want to stay outside so he may just not be fully relieving himself outside when he goes pee. We always see him squat to pee a few feet from the door & run back in, yet he will poop near the edge of the fence though. He may be “tricking” us when he goes outside. Our former boxer hated the rain. I would go outside with him to show a united front. LOL We are going to monitor Tyson’s drinking & peeing habits over the next week or so to see if it’s just behavioral or not. More updates next week on this sweetheart!
1/18/24-Today is the 6th day we have had Tyson. What we have learned about Tyson, he does not like the snow. When our neighbors haven’t shoveled their sidewalks he will pull to go onto the road where it’s clear from snow. LOL The first 2 days he did not bark but with time he became comfortable and barked to announce people while looking out the front window. He is still having accidents in the house, but is not surprising as he was at the shelter a while. He loves the kids, however his kisses will push them down & he will continue to kiss them while they’re on the ground. He does not give them the opportunity to stand up. He needs several redirection for him to get off the kids. For this reason he would be better with a little bit older kids as he just is too rough for little ones (though no aggression). He does need working on not jumping when greeting others at the front door. During the family meal time he does not beg & he will lay in the living room on his own free will. Overall he is a great family dog. As Tyson has settled in he just seems to have older boxer stiff legs. It may be little arthritis & lack of movement while at the shelter too. Also his issue on floors at home can be he’s just not use to walking without rugs or throw rugs & added that his stiff legs. We recommend his new owners start him on something like cosequein (can buy at walmart or amazon) to help with this. This sweet boy is ready to go home!
1/15/24-Tyson arrived on Saturday. It took him till 5pm to lay down. His appetite is healthy & he loves his treats. He knows to sit, paw, and stay. He is crate trained. When walking he leads without pulling. When he sees another dog on our walks he is observant but does not react by pulling or barking. You can see some fear in his eyes when there is sudden movement especially when there is something in our hands. Tyson does need some redirection with the kids as he just doesn’t realize his size! He gives unlimited kisses constantly to our 2 year old as they are the same height. Tyson will meet the energy of our 4 year old and will try to box him. He has knocked our 4 year old onto his feet with his happiness! Oops! My husband and I noticed he does not bend his hind legs. Tyson allowed me to touch his hind legs; they are stiff. When sitting we have seen his hind legs slip out, like Bambi on ice.. on our hardwood floors. It is probably just arthritis as he is 8 years old, but we will watch it & we thought it’s worth noting. Tyson is just a wonderful dog. The 2nd night here he even put our 4 year old to bed!
1/13/24-Tyson is an 8 yr old very friendly & cute boxer boy. He came in from an animal shelter when he & his 6 yr old buddy Vander were taken from their owners by animal control. He arrived to his foster home today thanks to his transport volunteers. He is doing great already! He is a snuggle bug and makes a great company for movie night. He loves the kids (2 & 4), but especially the 2 year old. More updates soon from his foster home.
