Hi, my name is Sam -----

I used to think it was "No Sam" 'cause that's what Mom and Dad were always calling me.  Sometimes, these days, I get called "Sammy Good Boy".  I like that much better.  Do you suppose, maybe, I shouldn't have chewed up the dining room chairs and all that other stuff?

Yup, this is me, relaxing on the sofa.  This position happens to be very comfortable, it's one of my favorites for taking in a little T.V. viewing.  Now, if they'd only put in one of my Benji tapes, I'd be all set.

"Course they don't always let me watch what I want to so I pout (just a little) and take a little nap.

Here I am getting my teeth brushed. Important thing, ya know.  Don't want no rotten teeth or nothin'.  Besides, I really like it.  Can't wait until it's my turn.

Sam was a real challenge. The training techniques used on the other dogs didn't work so well with him. By the time he was 11 months old, he had destroyed all our dining room chairs, a gun cabinet, an antique doll high chair, a bent wood rocker, numerous smaller items, and was starting on our rather new carpeting. I sought out advise from trainers and veterinarians as to how to deal with this little guy. The Kong toy was a suggestion that worked out beautifully. He was also neutered. Since most of his destruction occurred at night and he was not house braking well, we were advised to crate him at night. We didn't like the idea much but did it anyway, providing him with a pillow to sleep on. I also had to start over at house training, as if he were just a little puppy. All this paid off. Today, Sam is still a little imp, but his antics are more comical than destructive, like when he succumbs to the challenge of pulling a dirty sock out through one of the hamper's air holes.

Visited since July 10, 1998