Entered: 07/30/2016
Status: Adopted
Age: 9
Color: Black/White
Weight: 57 lbs.
Gender: Altered Male
Location: College Park, MD
Health: UTD, HW-, benefiting from medication, a supplement and frequent baths for allergies; overall good health
Temperament: Good with adults, unknown with children, good with other dogs, will chase cats outside
Update 09/11/2016: “When asked ‘Where is my shoe?’ he runs to find the nearest shoe and brings it back to his foster parents, tail wagging.”
Bailey continues to do really well in his foster home. He loves to be a part of everything his foster parents do; he is always close by and keeps a watchful eye on everyone in the house. This smart guy has even started to understand some questions. When his foster parents ask him “Do you want to go for a walk?” he answers by jumping up and down and running for the door. When asked “Where is my shoe?” he runs to find the nearest shoe and brings it back to his foster parents, tail wagging. When told “Not that shoe. Where is my other shoe?” he runs to find the “’right” shoe and brings it back. He also has learned the “down” and “shake” commands.
Because Bailey is completely trustworthy in the house, his foster parents have started giving him free run of the house when they are away at work. He takes advantage of the quiet house by napping on the couch…how relaxing!
Recently Bailey’s foster parents noticed that he was scratching his ears and biting his legs a lot so he was taken to the vet to get checked out. After a full examination, during which Bailey was a very good boy, the vet diagnosed him with allergies. Bailey now takes a medication for allergies, gets frequent baths, and receives a supplement for his dry skin. After almost two weeks of medication and more frequent baths, Bailey’s scratching has reduced a lot!
Bailey would love to find a forever family who will give him endless cuddles and belly rubs, take him for walks and play tug-of-war, and appreciate his playful, silly and loyal personality. That’s not too much to ask. The payoff is a very sweet, smart and well-behaved boy.
Original: “He loves being near his foster parents and will follow them from room to room, asking for love and attention.”
When Bailey’s owner had to move into assisted living, the owner’s family made the difficult decision to surrender Bailey to a shelter in Virginia. After learning about Bailey’s situation, MAESSR stepped in to help this handsome senior.
Just as Bailey really warmed up to the shelter staff after adjusting to not being in his home, this friendly boy has assimilated quickly into his new foster home. He is good with other dogs, but has not been cat tested with an inside cat; he would like to chase outside kitties, though Bailey is housetrained though his foster parents are still trying to learn his signal to go out. For now they let him outside regularly and Bailey does his business quickly.
Since he is not crate-trained and is still a newcomer to foster care, Bailey is kept in the hallway when he is home alone, barking and whining initially and then just barking periodically, Bailey would prefer being with his foster family rather than away from them! At night, Bailey sleeps soundly through the night on his pillow in his foster parents’ bedroom. As soon as the sun rises, he lets his foster parents know that he is ready to start the day!
Bailey has good house manners and is generally trustworthy when loose in the house. He loves being near his foster parents and will follow them from room to room, asking for love and attention. He stays out of the garbage, does not chew on things he isn’t supposed to, and while not allowed on furniture, he will occasionally try to sneak his way onto the comfortable living room couch. He also occasionally puts his paws up on the counters or table to explore but will get down quickly when told “No.”
This polite gent knows how to sit on command, comes when called by name, and is learning “down.” He walks well on a leash, but he will pull when he sees a squirrel or cat. Bailey is anxious when riding in the car and will whine and bark. His foster parents are working with him to improve his comfort with riding in cars.
A food motivated guy, Bailey loves to play with treat-oriented toys, like a Kong or Bop-a-lot. He has not exhibited any resource guarding or aggressive behaviors. As a senior dog, Bailey doesn’t need as much exercise as younger pups, but he does need – and really enjoys – long walks and running around in the back yard. He is inquisitive and playful and his foster family tries to find new and fun ways to keep him entertained.
Bailey was good at his vet appointment and his foster mom reports that he doesn’t mind having his paws handled or being groomed. Good boy! He was also good for his bath that was really needed.
As Bailey loves being around people and craves attention, he would do best with a forever family who can spend a lot of time with him.