Emmit is approximately 3 year old intact male with his dew claws and natural tail. He was owner surrendered to the Hays animal shelter in KS. The shelter contacted me and I in turn contacted my helper in KS. Upon a physical exam in KS it was determined that Emmit most likely was used as a puppy mill stud and kept in a wire cage. He had scars and callouses on his body that could only be attributed to a cage environment. He is a normal size male, but under weight. He has had a complete physical exam, heartworm tested, microchipped, vaccinated, and neutered while in the care of our KS helper. During his time in KS he is appreciating living a normal family life that includes stuffed toys to play with.

Update!!!
Emmitt , aka, Emmers, Emer-roo, Roo-doggie, has decided he likes it at our house, and it is now his. So now we are in training. This would be according to him, if he could talk, which actually he has started doing, the typical Vizsla “Rooing”. He also did the “wiggle butt” for the first time yesterday at the dog park when he saw a GSP at the park the other night, and WOW did he get excited. He is very well behaved though shy. We are working on his social skills and he getting better. He still likes his people better than other dogs.

The whole plastic issue, (he drove his foster care giver crazy chewing plastic containers), gone. He got into a water bottle one day while I was in the shower (Kara- sound familiar?), and the water splashed all over his face. It was like he used a squirt bottle on himself. Since then he hasn’t even looked at chewing on anything plastic. He has however developed a liking for my big fuzzy cow print slippers! The funny thing is he doesn’t chew them. He just likes to put his nose in it or just carry it around.

He has put on a few pounds, but still has a few to go. He doesn’t like to eat unless one of his people is around. He still eats a little, turns to see if you are there, eats some more, checks again, etc., etc. He is definitely a Velcro dog! 

He wants to play with the family cat, Dewey. But Dewey doesn’t want anything to do with him UNTIL Emmitt starts eating. Then Dewey thinks it is fun to chase Em’s tail back and forth. Em will stop eating and try to play with Dewey, but Dewey runs under the couch and hides. Em tries to get him out with lots of talking, and puts his nose under the couch while his rear end is standing up. Typical play stance. 

He still doesn’t like his crate, we haven’t been using it much anyway. A friend was staying with us, and forgot to put Em in his crate when he left. Ryan came home for lunch and Em was sound asleep on the bed. (Yes, he sleeps with us at night. I knew Ryan would change his mind after he snuggled just once! Actually, Emmitt starts on his bed and only gets on ours when the sun starts coming up. He is much less hyper when we let him stay out. It has become a give and take with him. We give him some room and trust, and he behaves better. The wonders of positive training! He does pretty well with the kids too. He and our son are buds. Our daughter is a different story. It’s like he is just being patient with her until she can trust him. It’s so completely unconditional love from him to her. It really makes me almost cry watching him. It really is amazing. People who say animals don’t have feelings or that they aren’t smart, should watch Emmitt responding to Shelby! 

He has also started smiling. No kidding. He raises his cheek and curls his front lip under, and looks at us with this 
goofy grin :o). He usually does it when someone first gets home, when we tell him it is time for a walk, or we get one of his toys and say playtime. He wags his tail and grins at us. You can’t help but smile and laugh with him! I love it.

Em already knows sit, stay (sometimes), wait, shake and shake other paw (he will switch paws- our son taught him that one), sugar (kisses), leave it, “I don’t think so”, sshhh no barking, and sometimes he will come if we say come here. We are still struggling with the begging or attempting to eat our food. But really that is the only problem we have.

I can’t thank you enough for all of your hard work in bringing Emmitt to us. He really is an amazing boy, and a 
wonderful member of our family. My brother calls him “his nephew.” I am sure Emmitt thinks he has died and gone to heaven, as do we!

Ryan, Laurie, Shelby, Reece, Emmitt, and Dewey

CWVRG – looks like a perfect match to me!