Entered: 08/07/2014
Status: Adopted
Age: 2
Color: Liver/White
Weight: 60 lbs.
Gender: Altered Male
Location: Princeton, NJ
Health: UTD, HW-, benefiting from an inexpensive supplement to assist with anxiety, dental and recovery from muzzle wound complete
Temperament: Good with adults, good with children as young as 10 (hasn’t met younger ones), good with other dogs, walks away from cats
Update 10/18/2014: “He would walk right into the play groups and socialize quickly.”
Tucker was a little nervous when he arrived at his foster home but that seems like ages ago now. Time to settle coupled with an inexpensive supplement have lessened his anxiety in large measure. He is becoming more confident every day. What he really has going for him is that he is smart. He learns new behaviors quickly. He knows most of his commands, walks great on and off leash, and is good with baths at home and at the groomer. Since the beginning Tucker has never been destructive.
When it comes to car rides, Tucker is getting over his nervousness but still needs to travel on an empty stomach. He will always hop in, so that means he’s up to the challenge but he’s still learning that rides can be fun. During his journeys, Tucker has come upon cats. Unlike squirrels and other furry critters, he never has the urge to chase them. He just sniffs them and walks off…………..good boy!!
Perhaps the highlight of Tucker’s news……… he got to go to “camp” while his foster parents were out of town. This alternative to more solitary kenneling is an option for dogs that demonstrate appropriate socialization skills. When a dog passes screening, he gets to be “in the camp.” He gets to play with other dogs all day and come back whenever his family is away. Of course, Tucker passed the admission test. He would walk right into the play groups and socialize quickly. He made lots of dog friends while he was a camper and had great fun.
Since becoming a MAESSR boy, Tucker has proven to be good with children as young as 10 years. His foster parents feel he would start best in an adopting family as an only dog. The home could have children aged 10 and older or no children. He is a wonderful dog. Think GQ quality!! His foster family and others in MAESSR have really worked with him and he has his MOJO back. His only real issues are with large groups and with new people. Guidance going forward will continue progress there too.
Tucker just had his teeth cleaned and gets lots of compliments on them now. He delights his people every day and will be “available” soon. When that time comes, let the adoption coordinators know you’d like to meet him. You aren’t going to want to miss out on a find like Tucker……….. :)).
Update 09/16/2014: “Since new situations are scary to him, his foster mom is trying to give Tucker consistency as well as introduce him to new situations slowly.”
Tucker has spent the past month in foster care being exposed to new situations. Having had very few opportunities for social interactions with dogs and humans in his short life, this sweet guy has some catching up to do. It’s just that so many things are new to him and new things are scary. For Tucker, patience, guidance and exposure to new situations will be paramount to shaping his behavior.
Tucker’s foster mom emphasizes that he is a GREAT dog and he is making progress every day. In fact, he knows many commands and is learning more every day. New in his repertoire are “go to the bathroom” and “bedtime.” He has learned to stop at each intersection before crossing the street and he has great recall, returning to his foster mom after being allowed to chase deer in the park. Tucker loves his walks and also went for a swim recently. Like a typical Springer, he just had to jump in a lake to chase geese!
Possessing excellent house manners, Tucker never counter-surfs or dives in the trash. It’s just important for him to be confined in the kitchen when he’s left alone. It seems that free run of the house makes him anxious and causes him to piddle a bit on the floor.
Since new situations are scary to him, his foster mom is trying to give Tucker consistency as well as introduce him to new experiences slowly. He has encountered some dogs and Tucker’s reaction can vary greatly. If meeting a dog in the confines of his neighborhood complex where he’s comfortable, he can have a pleasant response. On a recent walk, he met a small dog and they were just fine together. Both were unleashed. When his foster mom spotted two larger dogs approaching, Tucker was put back on leash and showed his anxiousness by snarling.
Tucker also felt a bit out of his element at two outdoor concerts where there were other dogs and people. He definitely DID NOT like the other dogs. Having people approaching him was also scary. Poor Tucker just did not want those people to touch him and hasn’t yet learned the appropriate response to strangers.
With familiar people and things Tucker is well-behaved and loving. He has bonded with his foster mom and is fine with her boyfriend. He also likes his dog walker who will take care of him when his foster mom goes out of town. It’s the unfamiliar that unnerves him. For example, his foster mom hosted a party and Tucker hid upstairs where he felt safe. When he ventured down to see what was happening, a guest reached out to pet him and he had a little anxious urination on the floor.
Tucker’s training includes tons of praise from his foster mom for every positive behavior he exhibits. He is a very lovable and well-behaved dog when he’s not in an anxiety situation. Fortunately for Tucker, time is on his side. His foster mom is showing him much patience and giving him the guidance he needs to realize that the world is not such a scary place.
Keep posted for more news on Tucker’s progress as he continues to learn about his world.
Original: “Tucker is a wonderful Springer! He is gentle, loving, and very smart.”
The first year and a half of Tucker’s life were spent in a Tennessee backyard by himself. He was then adopted by a family who lived on a farm with other dogs. When his new family’s living situation changed and they had to move to an apartment, Tucker, a boxer, and two small dogs came along. With too much energy for this environment, Tucker and the boxer started getting into scuffles. His owners decided it would be best to re-home Tucker with the help of MAESSR.
Tucker was bought to his foster home from Tennessee to Virginia on a transport truck which had made him very nervous. Then, he had a car trip to his foster home in New Jersey. Such a lot of change in a short time! During his first week with his foster family, he was obviously nervous, but his confidence has been building daily. He needs constant affirmations, but the returns are immediate. Although housetrained, on rare occasions Tucker will urinate when startled or anxious. This behavior is decreasing daily as he gets comfortable in his foster home.
Tucker is a wonderful Springer! He is gentle, loving, and very smart. He knows the commands “sit,” “lie down,” and “stay.” He also walks very well on a leash and has been off leash in a fenced park. He does not stray far and comes back immediately when called. What a good boy! At this point, Tucker has shown no interest in playing with the dog toys that are available to him. This may change in time.
With great house manners, Tucker does not counter-surf, trash dive, or chew inappropriately. He likes being on furniture but has learned that is off limits in his foster home. He has two dog beds and is happy there. Tucker is kept in the kitchen when his foster family is gone. His family has placed his dog bed in front of the back door so he can watch the courtyard activity. This good boy has never been destructive in the house!
When he had his first bath at home in the tub, Tucker was nervous, but took it like a good Springer. Prior reports stated that he loves water and loves to swim. After his bath, his ears were cleaned and toe nails clipped and he took it all in good stride.
Tucker is a very good dog, but would probably not do well with another dog in his forever home. He is fine with the small dogs and with female dogs, but is not always reliable with other males his size unless they are submissive. He did attend an outdoor concert with other dogs present and he was fine, though. He just does not like dogs his size in his own home territory.