Part 2: Dogs Rescued: Assessing Doc / Go to Dachtoberfest this Sunday!

Tom and I work with both the Coast-to-Coast Dachshund Rescue  and the Washington DC Weimaraner Rescues and check out dogs turned into the county shelter for adoption through each rescue. Often shelters will get mixed breeds, but the rescue prefers more of a Dachshund or Weimaraner in the mix because we know the temperament.
ASSESSING SHELTER DOGS FOR A RESCUE -   When we met "Doc" and his brother "Abu" last week at the county shelter we checked them for physical characteristics and behaviors to see if they were adoptable.  Both of these dachshund mixes were mostly Dachshund. The main difference was that the coat color was blonde and black instead of brindle, red, or black. Both had the dachshund body, and splayed front feet (for digging);  black "cape" of fur on their back, brown eyes and long tail. They are built like a dachshund, too, just a slightly shorter snout.
UPDATE: On Oct. 18, "Doc" has been renamed "Duncan" and has broken out of his shell at his foster home with Katie in Virginia. So, Duncan will be going to the "DACHTOBERFEST" this Sunday in PA:

***THIS SUNDAY- Bring your dog to Dachtoberfest!!! 

WHERE/WHEN:   11:00am-3:00pm , Greenlin Kennel Pet Resort , 600 Schoolhouse Rd , Middletown, PA 17057
 DETAILS:  http://ccdrmidatlantic.webs.com/dachtoberfest

   WHAT CAN YOU LEARN ABOUT A DOG IN 24 HOURS? -  There's a lot you can learn from a dog in having them one night. Of course, that doesn't mean you can learn everything. Because it was raining out we didn't take him for a walk (most Dachshunds hate rain), and on a leash in the backyard he was awkward. While Doc's brother "Abu" went directly to a foster home the night we "freed" them from the shelter life, Doc spent one night with us before moving to his foster home.

Doc in the shelter the day we met him

   Here are some habits and behaviors that I've observed with Doc by just having him one night.
1) His name "Doc" - it was a temporary name that the shelter gave him and he doesn't respond to it, so it can be easily changed.
2) He's good with other dogs,  (he walked around all morning with our 2 Dachshunds and 1 Weimaraner in the kitchen and didn't and he didn't really interact with them except for sniffing.
3) He's shy and submissive
4) He knows the command "come" just say it in an excited tone and he came in from the backyard (BEFORE our doxies)
5) He's somewhat afraid of a new environment and people- but that can be easily changed
6) TREATS- I tried many. He only likes Pupperoni
7) Gave him 1/2 cup dry Rachel Ray Kibble. with some Rachel Ray wet food mixed in. Loved the wet food, left some dry kibble
8) Walking: Doesn't know how to walk on a leash? We couldn't try- it was raining out and he doesn't like rain.

Doc compared to our purebred Franklin- not much difference except coloration!

9) No Aggression:  Not food aggressive at all, and no aggressive behavior
10) Sadly, seems like he's never been loved before.
11) Mostly housebroken- Just watch when he goes to the door. He knows "go outside" and "come"
12) Sleeping: I recommend 1 benadryl the first night or two, to calm him until he gets comfy that he's in a good place. We put him in a small cage in the hallway, with a bed and blanket inside. He didn't like being in the kitchen alone, but as long as he heard us or knew we were around, he was fine. He slept through the night!! No clawing, no whining, nothing.   He should be a pleasure to have around. he just needs socialization.