Entered: 08/25/2009
Status: adopted
Age: 5
Color: Liver/White
Weight:
Gender: Altered Male
Location: Bloomsburg, PA
Health: UTD, HW-, treatment for a skin condition complete, good in all other areas
Temperament: Good with people including children of all ages, good with dogs, not good with cats and other small animals
Original: Ben is settling in nicely with his foster family. The family started Ben in a farm setting where the question of how Ben would be with cats was quickly answered. He does not do well at all with cats!! The first two days and nights were very sleepless as Ben spent the entire time looking for another cat to bark at. Since then his family has taken him to their home where there are no cats and he is a completely different dog. Cats affect Ben like a bad drug.
There was a tense moment or two between Ben and the resident Springers until the pecking order was established but those issues were quickly resolved. Now that Ben has become acquainted with the resident dogs, he is absolutely wonderful. His true personality is beginning to show as he interacts more with them. He has been playing tug-o-war with rope toys.
Ben has been exposed to children of all ages and has a generally happy and easy-going attitude. He has been sleeping on the floor at the foot of the children’s bed in his foster home. He had one accident in the house which was completely a human error in not recognizing Ben’s signs to go out. He will absolutely counter surf and snag things from the trash whenever the chance presents itself. He travels great in the car and is always ready to go for a ride.
When left alone in a crate, Ben gets very excited. He tends to bark for a while after he is left. His freedom outside has been expanded as he is settling into a routine. He will run with the resident springers, do his business and return to the door for his treat. Ben has obviously been through some obedience training and walks well on a leash but must be made to do so with a firm voice and clear commands. If left to run at the end of a lead, he will attempt to pull you around. He will do well with continued training.
Ben has been to the vet and is being treated for a skin condition. He is on short term meds to clear things up. Otherwise he is very healthy. Ben was relinquished to MAESSR by a family in Pennsylvania when a new baby and many changes in the home were leaving too little time for Ben. He had been well cared for by his original owners and will make a great companion in a Cat Free Home!