Entered: 04/15/2017
Status: Adopted
Age: 3, Born 11/30/2013
Color: Black/White
Weight: 56 lbs.
Gender: Altered Female
Location: Goochland, VA
Health: UTD, HW-, anaplasmosis positive but asymptomatic, benefiting from medication for anxiety, treatment for a urinary tract infection complete
Temperament: Good with people as young as 12, good with other dogs, unknown with cats
Original: “She is now much more interested in people visiting her foster home and is much calmer in all situations.”
Bailey was purchased from backyard breeders in Pennsylvania as a 12 week old puppy. Unfortunately it was an income operation for the breeder and she was housed in a garage with litter mates and mother with NO human socialization during those first three months. Her family reported that Bailey has always been anxious and it just seemed to get worse as the children in the home got older. The kids would have their friends over and Bailey would be even more anxious. She would play well in the yard with the children, ages 7 and 13, if they were throwing a ball (her favorite activity); however, she has always been very skittish around the children’s loud noises and unexpected movements. Bailey’s family finally realized that they were not the best family for her and asked MAESSR to help find her a home that made her more comfortable.
Bailey is good with most other dogs; she may be a little hesitant at first but will quickly join in game play with other dogs at day care. It’s possible that Bailey would be best as an only dog living in the home. She likes to be a bit bossy with the other dogs in her foster home. She is unknown with cats or other animals. She is completely housetrained and will go to the back door to indicate her need to go out.
Bailey will bark to alert, especially if someone approaches the front door, she seems to be very protective of the family home. She will jump up in greeting especially when her human comes home. She is not a digger or a chewer, and she knows which toys are hers. Sometimes she will chew on her ball. No fence jumping and no submissive urination for this good girl. While Bailey is not really a beggar, she reportedly would hang out under the table hoping that the children would slip her some food. She is used to getting bites of toast in the morning and will hang out waiting for them. She has counter-surfed very occasionally and only if there is no one around to catch her.
Bailey walks very well on a leash with no pulling, and loves to go for walks. She has been trusted off-leash because she never wants to be very far away from her people. She is okay in the car, just a bit anxious at first. Once she realizes that the trip isn’t to the vet she settles down and will fall asleep on a long trip.
It appears that Bailey does not have any other temperament issues. She has no fear of thunderstorms, although she gets a little bit anxious, but not panicky, around the 4th of July.
It’s reported that Bailey is very good for the groomer NOW. Originally she was taken to a groomer but all of the noise and other dogs barking in crates put her on sensory overload. The family started using a mobile groomer who came to the home. After playing with Bailey for a few minutes in the house, the groomer would then take her outside to the van for her grooming. She is fine with that; a one-on-one situation suits her well. She likes to be brushed and will allows her ears and feet.to be handled.
Bailey lives indoors and sleeps in her foster parents’ bedroom. Her favorite things are her balls…she even takes them to bed with her at night! Next to her balls, she loves to go for walks and would love to take them with her new family..
Bailey is a very sweet girl. She was started on a medication for anxiety and it has helped her tremendously. She is now much more interested in people visiting her foster home and is much calmer in all situations. Her adoptive home will be required to keep her on this medication for at least six months after adoption.
If you have a low-key household, love to take walks, and enjoy playing ball, Bailey may be just the girl for you.