Entered: 09/28/2010
Status: Adopted
Age: 7
Color: Black/White
Weight:
Gender: Altered Male
Location: Audubon, PA
Health: UTD, HW-, good in all areas
Temperament: Good with adults, good with children as young as 10, good with other dogs when off leash, probably not good with cats
Update 10/28/10:
Barney continues to be an absolute love bug in his foster home. He kisses and cuddles, and, oh so wants to lap sit, which isn’t much of a stretch for this little guy. He had a scary night recently when a bad storm blew through and mostly hid under the bed. His foster mom took pity on him since she did not have any anti-anxiety medications on hand to help him relax and let Barney into her bed where he cuddled in her arms under the covers and slept peacefully until morning. Other loud noises are not a problem, only storms. The vet feels Barney will benefit from having some medication on hand to take if another loud thunderstorm rolls through.
Chasing his Wubba Wubba is a favorite activity of Barney’s, and he has gotten quite skilled at returning it, as well as at coming when he is called. This is in addition to his already solid “sit,” “paw,” “down,” and “spin” – what a smart boy he is! He is still working on his leash manners and with time he should be able to pass another dog without starting his weird whining routine. You see, he does not always bark; it sounds more like a cross between a whine and a gurgle. Although he sounds pretty funny, other dogs are not always too excited to greet him.
With the resident dogs, there are no issues and he is often found sharing a dog bed with one of the Springer girls in the house. He has gotten the squeakers and stuffing out of several toys and really enjoys chewing on Nylabones. He has his pick in the large toy basket in his foster home and typically there are six or more bones strewn around since he likes to dig deep into the toy basket to find new ones all the time.
When not chewing on a toy, Barney loves to stretch out in the sun on these beautiful autumn days. Wouldn’t you like to spend these cooler days with this cuddly boy?
Original:
Barney was relinquished to MAESSR along with his brother Ringo when their owners realized that having two Springers along with four children under the age of three was too much to handle. The boys flew from Kentucky to Pennsylvania on “Springer Air” and are now staying in separate foster homes.
Because he is a little shy, Barney was somewhat slow to acclimate to the two dogs and new people in his foster home. He is quickly learning what is expected of him and is now settling in just fine. A petite boy at just 35 pounds, Barney has been struggling with an upset stomach since arriving from Kentucky. It is starting to settle down and hopefully he can gain about 5 pounds once he is on a normal eating schedule. The vet complimented him on his beautiful teeth and overall great health.
This handsome gentleman rides well in the car, is housebroken and has great manners. He is quiet while inside and is content to nap or chew on a toy. During the day, he is kept with the resident dogs behind a gate for up to 8 hours with no issues. He sleeps next to his foster parents’ bed on a dog bed but is more than happy to get in their bed if the opportunity arises. He knows his place is off the furniture, but sometimes he does jump up and then, quickly gets down when asked. He is too short to counter-surf but occasionally puts his feet on the edge of the counter if no one is looking and something that smells delicious requires further investigation.
Outside, he is always on the hunt for some bunny or squirrel or bird so he tends to pull on the leash. He is now using a harness with good results. Of course, he prefers to be off leash and when he gets the chance to play in a fenced area, he has a lot of fun chasing a tennis ball or his Wubba Wubba. Barney knows several commands including “sit,” “paw,” “down,” and “come.” His human brother taught him to spin 360 degrees in the air before getting the toy tossed! What a sight! This Springer can really spring!
Although good with the resident dogs, Barney does not like to meet other dogs while leashed. He barks and makes a fuss, including at the groomer where he was great for the grooming but a bit nervous because of all the other dogs that were there. His foster parents are working on some desensitization to make him a better neighbor and leash walker. Once he gets on a regular diet and fine-tunes his leash manners, this boy will make a perfect companion to someone looking for an adorable, petite boy with lots of pep who likes to play, nap, and be loved.