Ruger – ADOPTED!

Hi, my name is Ruger! I am named after a gun manufacturer but I did not thrive during “hunter” training so perhaps I should be renamed? I am a one and a half year old solid liver colored German Shorthaired Pointer. Initially, most people comment on how handsome I am. But there is a lot more to me than just my good looks. I am very athletic, energetic, and loveable. I play so well with other dogs that I would love to have another active and playful doggie in my new household. I have been getting a ton of exercise and going on many different kinds of adventures while being with my foster mom. I adjust quickly to my new surroundings and the expectations for my behavior
I am house broken (will even go on command!) and use a doggie door. I am very coachable and know lots of commands but I do get distracted while outside and I don’t always listen. But I am getting better about that with more reinforcement. I really, really want to chase the bunnies and squirrels and birds, so you’ll have to pay attention and hopefully spot them first and tell me to “leave it!” I kinda want to chase the cats too, but I have learned some cats are nice and some are not – so I am cautious. So far, I am good with kids and elderly people too – they pet me, but mostly I ignore them. As for chickens, I am a bird dog and want to put them in my mouth and bring them to you so if you have chickens (like my foster neighbor) they have to be locked up when I am around.
I will try to get you to play a lot with me and I hope you want to (or have a nice doggie that will play with me). Sometimes I can take a hint that you don’t want to engage and I will lie down on my bed. Despite my playfulness and energy, I haven’t done any “bad dog” things like chew up shoes or get into garbage or any of that bothersome stuff. Initially, I may check to see if you are okay with me getting on furniture and, if not, I can accept that (I am not allowed currently). I will sleep on the bed if I get an invitation, but am also just fine on my bed on the floor in the same room with you.
I am good about lying down and chewing my treats on my bed… then it doesn’t get the house so dirty. Speaking of dirt, I have no problem with my feet/body getting cleaned before I go into the house – rags or a soft brush are just fine by me. My teeth are getting brushed lately so I stay up on my dental care. I am not overly food-motivated. I really like treats and food, but I may not always eat all my food and sometimes a treat isn’t enough to draw my attention away from something else (remember the squirrels?!).
I still pull pretty hard while on leash, but my Gentle Leader makes me more manageable while running or hiking and sometimes walking. More leash training would be useful in my case. While running next to a bike (which I am getting better at) a chest harness works well. My previous family used an e-collar but I haven’t used it much lately. I have hiked off leash a bit and usually come when called. Sometimes I don’t recall right away, so the environment needs to be safe (i.e., no cars!) as this is a work in progress.
I am not much for fetch (ball, Frisbee or stick) but I like to chase and be chased and wrestle with other dogs. I am so good with other dogs. I like all of them, even the ones that sometimes don’t like other dogs. I am not aggressive at all. I just want them to play with me. I am still learning how to swim – I like it, but I am a bit apprehensive when I lose contact with the ground. I pant a lot when I am nervous or in the heat so always you will always want to take lots of water for me.