Merle has been in his foster home for a little over a week, so we know a few more details about him. Merle is a young, handsome boy who has definitely known the comforts of a home in the past. He is fully housebroken – he does well on a schedule and controls himself accordingly. Merle is also crate-trained and goes into his crate without resisting when asked to do so. He knows a couple commands (sit, down, stay, paw) and works for treats, toys or praise. He does not know to heel while walking, but is not difficult to walk on leash. Merle loves toys and will play for hours, usually wanting his human to join with him. He has great ball drive and will fetch/retrieve as long as you are willing to throw it. Merle is very athletic, with a smaller, slim build, and thus suitable for a lot of outdoor doggy activities, which he loves. Merle bonds deeply and quickly and can become protective of his space and his humans. This will need to be addressed with both training and a strong handler. He will also benefit greatly from a strong leader who will provide appropriate correction and training. Slow introductions to new people and animals seem to work best for him. Once he accepts a newcomer, he's very social. Merle is a great young dog, looking for his perfect home. Could that be yours??