Coupla other things I forgot to mention about Diezel when I first saw him. He was so depressed at the rescue place, that when I knelt down to pet him as he lay in a wire kennel, he wouldn't even lift his head. He just rolled his eyes up at me. Absolutely wouldn't get excited like a boxer should.
Then when I took him home I noticed the pads on the bottom of his feet were soft like a baby's skin from being in a holding cell for months. Also his lower legs and feet were covered with sores. The lady called them kennel sores. I put Neosporin (SP) on them and the sores cleared up like she said they would.
His depression vanished almost the day he got home. He ran around the house checking everything out like he couldn't believe his good fortune. A real HOUSE!
He had nightmares for a few months. I could tell by his crying and barking in his sleep. But he was a perfect gentleman here at home. He never had a potty accident inside the house. He learned right away after I showed him how to use the doggie doors, to go out side to relieve himself in our fenced area.
He has never uttered an angry note to anyone here. No growl (other than the boxer craziness while playing) or snap, just an easy going boxer boy. And after starving at the kennel there was no food aggression. Within a couple of weeks he slowed his wolfing and started eating like the rest of the clan.
He still has issues with dogs he doesn't know so he will never run loose at a dog park like Ginger and Lily. But thats OK we don't go to those often and he is getting better as I learn to keep him calm on leash around dogs we meet while walking.
A taught leash with an extra loop around his neck (to prevent him pulling out of the collar) while in a firm calm voice I tell him to heel works best so far.
Anyway, Thanks for all the support!
If one is willing to put in the effort these dogs can change and sure know how to show gratitude.
