Tater, STAR #1874

Tater is heading home with the Griggs family where he’ll get all the time, attention, and TLC with his new family including his new human buddies, Kai and Ellie. Thank you, Deb for pulling this handsome boy from the local shelter and yet another wonderful foster job for STAR.

Tater came to STAR from the shelter in Waco – and is estimated to be around 2-3 years old and weighs 45lbs.  Here’s what his foster mom says about this handsome boy:

“He is sweet and snuggly.  He thinks he is a lap dog.

He will be happiest with a playmate but will be okay alone if his owner is very engaged.  I am not sure what his boredom behaviors are, but I suspect destructive.  He will rip the crate mat if he is in the crate too long.

He is not destructive here, but he plays with the female Aussie a lot! He loves to play tug of war and keep away.  Consequently, soft toys and stuffed bedding do not last long.  He and our female Aussie will run and play in the yard for an hour at a time – until they get tired basically.  Inside they play more calmly but still tug of war.

Tater and our alpha male Aussie do not get along.  I suspect that the older male is the instigator with a low growl and curmudgeonly ways – and Tater does not tolerate it well – and I’ve had to break up scuffles.

He eats quickly, so if other dogs eat slowly there could be an issue as he circles to see if he can eat the other’s food too or at least check and lick their bowls.

He crates easily but does not “need” his crate. We crate him when we are not at home because of the issues between him and our male Aussie.

He would prefer to sleep in your bed which is not allowed here.  He still tries to find his way in bed when my husband is not in it.  For example, he will take his spot in bed if he gets up to go to the bathroom – so steathy!

He has never marked anything in my house.  He sleeps all night. He is quiet. I have heard him bark once.

He loves everyone.  We had 10 people over for Christmas and he welcomed everyone as a best friend.  At one point is was laying on top of my 30 yr old nephew who was laid back in the recliner relaxing.  So, it is safe to say that he has no fear of men.  No children here but he was around the original rescuer’s 5year old son with no issues.

I am always shocked when obviously loved dogs end up unclaimed at a shelter.  Someone taught him to sit and shake.  He still needs work on jumping up when someone arrives home.

When you tell him no or scold him, he will come and sit in front of you and wait for you to pet him or give him a command.  He is very sensitive to harsh words or even harsh expressions on your face.  Harsh words or loud noises send him running and hiding, even when not directed at him.  Yelling at a football game, stumping your toe and giving a yell, people arguing, etc.  He will not do well with people who yell or argue often.  He hid when I was swatting flies in the kitchen.

He does not get car sick, but he does need to be restrained or crated because he does not settle and eventually, he will try to get in your lap.

He might be a water dog.  When I took a bath yesterday there was a moment, I thought he might jump in with me.  He didn’t thankfully but he seemed like he was considering it.

He is a real keeper for a kind and loving family.”

If you are interested in learning more about Tater, please fill out an adoption application – under “Adopt” on our website.

Tater comes to STAR from the Waco Humane Society.. Picked up as a stray, he is a red merle male, 2-3 years old and 45 lbs.  He will need a neuter and some vetting.  His foster home in China Springs will evaluate him and he should be available for adoption around the first of the year.

Early Update:   Loves to play with other dogs – even an older curmudgeon male.  Tater does not understand playing catch.  He will catch the ball but then it is a game of keep away.  He loves to play tug of war too.  I have not seen him chew on a bone, but he needs to for his teeth and tartar build up. He is extremely sensitive to harsh words even not directed at him—yelling at a football game, stumping your toe, dropping a dish- he will run into his crate and shiver.  When either of us sit, he wants to be a lap dog.  He is loving to the point of being needy – which will get better as he settles.  At a minimum he wants his head in your lap. He will sit, down, and shake on command.  He needs to work on recall.  He will come when called but only when he wants to.  Loves his foster dad.  He goes into his crate when we go to bed; however, he would dearly love to sleep in bed if allowed.