I'd first like to put out some basic things that Ford is looking for in his forever home.

• Dog friendly: he hasn't met a dog yet that he hasn't gotten along with! He does prefer playing with dogs more his size. 
• Would be happiest in a home with a playful dog that he can interact with. He doesn't initiate play a ton, so a dog that initiates play or brings energy to the home would be good for him, as he often times matches the energy of my dogs. He takes cues from his foster siblings, and this would transition into his forever home, him taking cues from your resident dog. 
• Kids; he would do best with children over 10 years old, and in a decently calm home. Constant chaos and loudness make him nervous. 
• Cats: not tested and doesn't live with cats in his foster home. Not sure how he'd react, it could go either way - too interested, too much prey drive, or he could be respectful of the cat after the cat tells Ford that he needs space. If an interested family has a cat, we would need to take things slow to see if it would be an option.
• Needs a fenced-in yard (and at least a 5-foot fence) OR will need to be leashed 100% of the time. No exceptions! He will not grow out of this. This is very important, as it is for his safety. 
• Would benefit from obedience training—he's a smart boy! With some training, I think he'd make a great therapy dog if given the chance. 
• Would do best in a moderately active home where he is able to get out and be socialized with other dogs and people on a regular basis, and be able to safely explore the world.

Ford is a medium energy dog. If given the opportunity, he will lay around and sleep all day, every day. However, he really does enjoy getting exercise, and needs exercise to keep him mentally happy and healthy! He loves walks, and is the perfect walking companion with his Gentle Leader on. He chases after the ball but doesn't know to bring it back to you. He has the most adorable run!

He expends a good amount of his energy playing with other dogs, which is why I think he'd be happiest in a home with a playful dog. He also makes a good hiking partner, running partner or co-pilot on road trips. He'd be happy to go with you to different events, check out new places, and of course let you take hundreds of pictures of him! 

Ford has been pretty active lately! He was at Goldzilla, and did amazing there—he had a blast despite the rain! He enjoyed meeting many new people and greeting potential adopters. He and his foster siblings got a little treat after the event. They were pooped after Goldzilla, falling asleep approximately five minutes after getting in the car to head home.

Ford also went on his first camping trip! He does so great in new situations. He was leashed to a tree on a long lead, and easily learns the boundary he has when on a long lead. We took him to the beach to see what he thinks of water—it was pretty funny! He would hop around in the shallow end, jumping up on the dock and back into the water.

It's like he wasn't sure what to do! His foster siblings swam and dock dived, he swam out a little ways to meet them (on a leash of course), but wasn't sure about the whole swimming thing. It's unknown if he's ever swam before, but it doesn't seem like he's ever been exposed to a lake. Maybe with more exposure, he'd begin to like it.

Ford's next adventure was spending time with children, which is a first for him here in the States. He went to spend time in a household with three kids: ages 12, 7 and 5. We were there for a few hours. Ford did okay with the children—no jumping, calmly approaching them for pets but not being pushy towards them, and tolerating their sudden movements and noises.

Although he was okay with the older children, he wasn't fond of the loudness and chaos that the younger kids brought. He laid in the corner on the rug when it was loud.

I also saw concern for his escape to the outdoors with the two younger kids, with them going in and out of the door constantly. He has improved in this area, but his forever family will need to always be conscious about doors to ensure his safety. This includes any people who are visiting. There are concerns with little kids and a door to an unfenced area, such as the front door.

So, because of the safety concerns for Ford, and the fact that he doesn't enjoy the chaos and noise that youngsters bring, he'll need to go to a home with older kids—at least 10 years old and older. He would be totally fine with visiting kids or being around young children for a shorter period of time, just not living with them directly.

Of course, it is important to closely watch for signs of stress or avoidance with any dog around children, and this applies to Ford, too. 

Below are some random pictures of this sweetheart. Here he is, relaxed and getting his nails clipped. He is great with his paws being touched. He gets his nails clipped once a week and his paws wiped every time he comes into the house, so he is completely comfortable with his paws being touched. Ears and tail, too! Good boy!

Ford LOVES popcorn! Here he is smiling at me, trying to woo me into giving him more. He's a pretty good popcorn catcher!

Ford always keeps me smiling. He can't wait to find his forever home!

Hey guys, I wanted to check in with an update. I have had so much fun lately! Foster Mom has taken me and my foster siblings to a few dog events around the Twin Cities. Oh my gosh you guys, I got SO much attention. It was amazing how many people wanted to pet me and said how sweet I was!

There was a lot to see and discover and pee on. I even got a bandana to wear - I was so handsome. I love going to these events! I get to meet people and dogs, but I am relaxed and at ease - that's just the kind of guy I am!

We've also done other thing, like hiking in different parks, which is super exciting because I get to explore new places. I mean, there were ducks, geese, cranes, and plants. Of course I smelled them all. I like when we go to this one park by the river and we all get to go on a run with Foster Mom. Sometimes our friend, Sully, joins us. People often stare - I think it's because we look so regal!

I enjoy running next to my foster sibs, and it's good to stretch my legs and get some exercise. I keep up, and sometimes Foster Mom has to keep up with me!

Foster Mom here. Ford has been learning a lot and continues to get more comfortable. I have changed some of the requirements as I observe and learn more about Ford. A big thing is that we are working on not charging the doors, especially the sliding glass door (he gets really excited to go outside and has learned from my resident Shepherd to immediately run out and chase squirrels).

He's improved a lot, and now sits nicely at doors. We are working on "wait" and his release word, "okay". He's getting the hang of it. He's a smart boy. As far as his fence requirements go, he will either need a fence that is a minimum of 5 feet tall (he jumps up on my 6-foot privacy fence and is a big boy, so I think he may be able to get over a 4 foot fence if he wanted to), otherwise I think he'd do okay with someone that is diligent about taking him out on a leash. He has no problem pottying on leash.

My utmost concern is for his safety. He has absolutely no recall if he is off leash and out exploring or chasing something, so he needs to be in a secured fenced-in area, or on leash at all times. I am a big proponent of maintaining crate training, in case of an emergency. However, Ford has been having mostly free roam.

He does wonderfully with that, just likes to take a shoe and bring it on the couch with him, maybe as a comfort thing. He still does great when he is crated - no barking or anxiety. He only chews on appropriate items (bones and toys), continues to be potty trained, and loves jumping on the couch or on the bed in my spare room and looking out the window at the world.

He delights in eating bites of people food and has learned to come over and wait for me to drop some popcorn.

He enjoys relaxing on the deck or out in the grass. He likes sitting below the tree in the front yard while leashed and hanging with me while I do yard work.

He is cuddling more often with me, and with my boyfriend when he's over. Ford usually starts the night out on the dog bed in my room.

He likes to snuggle in bed with me in the mornings.

He loves laying on his back with his paws in the air - it's the funniest thing!

Ford remains a medium energy dog. He does well with one walk a day and playtime outside. He'd love more, and is the kind of dog that matches the energy level of the house. He does great with going on runs, going on more walks per day, or if it's a rainy day, he enjoys napping while I am watching a movie or cleaning.

He plays when my dogs initiate play. He likes to chase them around the yard. He'll run outside with my Shepherd, and when we have a young energetic visiting dog, he runs and plays more. If there is a visiting dog, and Ford is eating dinner, he does have a bit of resource guarding with the visiting dog. He has never had it with my dogs. This does apply to high value items as well, such as a bone.

He has gotten along with every dog he's met, and does great with my dogs. He has no anxiety, does not bark, and does well while I am at work for 9-10 hours part time. He does okay with small dogs - is interested in them at first, but that's about it.

He hasn't been cat tested, but I think he may do fine with a dog-savvy cat, so I don't want to rule it out completely. Overall, he is such a sweet, loving, easy guy to have around. If he sounds like a fit for you, fill out an inquiry form or let placement know you are interested in him.

Hi everybody, I'm Ford! I wanted to tell you about this super fun place I went to this past weekend. Foster Mom put me in the car alone (I know, not as much fun) so I was a little confused at first. We spent forever in the car, probably a few days.

When we got to this place, it smelled of delicious dog treats (Ok, I tried to snatch a few, but Foster Mom caught me), and I got to meet some new pretty ladies! I enjoyed spending time with the lady dogs at this place called "Chuck & Don's," whatever that is. We sniffed and then I focused on the humans because I LOVE getting pets and attention. I mean, who doesn't?!

Everybody who came into the store adored me, and I adored them! They were so nice and caring, and told me I was a pretty boy. I met several mini people—ages ranging from probably 4 to 12—and I was patient with them, in case they were scared of me. I am a big boy, after all.

(Note from Foster Mom: Ford currently isn't around children in the foster home, but he went to a Meet and Greet and did really well. For now, I am open to exploring adopting him to a potential family with children, as I think he'd enjoy more people to be around. I am still getting to know him, but I have no reason to be concerned with him around any children at this time.)

I am calm and gentle. I don't like scaring people off, because then I don't get any loving! So I do my best to stay relaxed, I even laid down on the floor and took a little nap. I sometimes like to remind people to keep petting me by giving them a little nudge. These Americans don't seem to mind that! I would definitely go back to this Chuck & Don's place, it was a blast!

Some things Ford is diligently working on: 

• Not jumping up on people (he is gentle and almost seems to give you a hug, so it's actually pretty cute)
• Not rushing out doorways
• Going into the crate on command 

Some likes:

• Digging holes in the yard
• Playing in the mud (is patient when he needs his feet washed before coming in the house)
• Eating sticks when Foster Mom isn't looking
• Napping
• Looking out windows

Other things to note:

• Respects baby gates
• Not a barker
• Let me clip his nails, was totally relaxed
• Jumps into the car on his own now