Bertran

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Updated 8/19/07: Bertran was returned to MAESSR a second time because the adopting family felt he was too exuberant with their 6-year-old twins and was not good with the cat. He returned to his foster home, after spending a few days with several multi-dog MAESSR families while waiting for his foster family to return from vacation. He was again met with open paws by the resident Springers and settled quickly.

Bertie is a typical 1 year old Springer boy who is handsome, charming and hasn’t quite learned to master self-control. He tends to get very excited when his family returns home and he is released from his crate. He jumps, cries and runs around. His foster family is working with him to tone down the greeting to an acceptable level. He began an obedience class and happily works for treats. He won’t pay any attention without them, but it’s a start.

Most young Springers require a great deal of exercise and stimulation, and Bertie is no exception. He’s the type that needs short play sessions throughout the day. He initiates play with the two resident dogs and enjoys a game of chase, tug or wrestle. These sessions are around 10 minutes and then he’s happy to relax with a bone or toy. He will often run “all out” around his large fenced yard and then plop down exhausted. When he doesn’t get these play periods, he can have a “wild spell” and run around the house like a nut. His foster family discovered this on a day when landscapers were working in the yard and all the dogs were kept on leash all day long.

Bertie needs a home, with another dog, where dogs are an important part of the family’s life. He wants to be with his pack and do what they are doing. He loves to spend evenings hanging out at the pool or in the backyard exploring smells, playing and chasing critters. His foster family thinks that he really doesn’t like to be alone at all, making another dog a necessity. He’s currently crated when the family is out and is OK with that as long as another dog is crated within his view.

This major sweetie is looking for a family to continue his training and provide him with a loving, structured home. If you think that’s you, please ask about him today. Bertran could be the perfect match for you.

Updated 3/19/07: Occasionally it happens that a dog returns to foster care after a short time with an adopting family. In Bertran’s case, he has returned to MAESSR because his adopting family found his activity level was higher than they could accommodate with their busy schedules. Bertran or Bertie, he’ll answer to both, was greeted upon return by the resident springers with wide open paws. Their relationships continued as if he never left.

Bertie has quickly re-adapted to the routine of the home. He spends three or four hours with the resident dogs in the morning before he is crated for about five hours. Bertie loves to engage in spirited play and run with the dogs but this real hard play is broken into 4 or 5 sessions of 5 to 10 minutes throughout the day. His foster mom doesn’t think of him as high energy but rather active. He places high value on his time with his humans. He’s the Velcro springer who loves/needs to follow the humans all around. As much as Bertie wants to go out to play with the dogs, he keeps coming back in to check on his foster mom. If his foster mom goes out too, life is grand.

While at his adoptive home, Bertie had some housebreaking problems also. He is not having these problems at his foster home. His foster mom, however, goes out with the dogs often and makes sure Bertie is taking care of business, especially before crate time and bed time.

Bertie hasn’t had any problems meeting people since returning to his foster home. He is, however, a champion counter surfer. This tall boy is quick to grab things within his reach. He often grabs an item and runs– anyone for a chase?!? His foster parents are discouraging this but it’s hard to get the human children to put their things away.

Bertie is a real gem. The family that puts the time and energy into him that he needs to shine will get a great dog for life!  

Updated 12/21/06: Bertran is settling nicely in his foster home. With his respiratory infection and intestinal worms behind him, he is feeling so much better. He enjoys three or four good play sessions every day with the resident dogs as well as some human play. When he’s not playing, he generally occupies himself with a nap, a toy or a chew. His housebreaking is coming along, but he doesn’t yet ask to go out; you have to ask him regularly and he doesn’t like to go out alone.

Bertie really likes to eat, has already gained four pounds and is looking good. His stamina and activity level are in the normal Springer puppy range now. He is recovering nicely from his neutering. The challenge is to keep him from running around too much right now. With improved health, he is turning out to be a real playing fool. He and the resident dogs are having a ball. Bertie will need an active family and/or a playful canine sibling to help work off energy in his adopting home.

This boy is very puppy-like. He needs to be watched to be sure he isn’t helping to sort the laundry, kill the stuffed animal intruders, eliminate the Barbie population or clear the dishes. He is 100% comfortable at his foster home and does fine with the activity of a normal household. He is going out with his foster mom a lot on errands in order to meet new people. He is still shy around new people but is not running away from them as when he first arrived.

Bertie is a major love bug and overall great guy. He barks seldom but does “woo woo” when his meal isn’t served fast enough or he wants a dog to play. He’s lots of fun and will cherish an active family who chooses to cherish him.

Original: Bertran is a very sweet boy who came to MAESSR from a Maryland shelter along with two other young male springers. Bertran is estimated to be a little over a year old, but this boy is definitely more puppy than adolescent. He weighed in at 43 pounds which is on the light side for the tall boy that he is. He eats well, so his weight should be in the normal range in no time at all. He is definitely one of the most handsome guys his foster mom has ever seen.

Considering that he wasn’t feeling so hot, Bertran was a real trooper at his vet visit. He was diagnosed with an upper respiratory infection, a fever and intestinal worms. He received medication and is starting to perk up. He will be neutered in a few weeks when the infection clears. It took a couple of baths to get Bertie clean and smelling fresh and he didn’t mind them at all. He also had his ears cleaned and was fine with that too. His foster mom has touched him all over and can take food and other items from his mouth without a worry.

Bertie, as he is known by his foster family, loves to run and play with two young resident springers. He is happy to join in the long chases around the yard but, right now, tires long before they do. Then he follows along a bit longer, crying that he’s so far behind. He likes to run after a ball but doesn’t bring it back right now. Bertie likes to chew and, in typical springer fashion, a toy is generally in his mouth.

When his foster mom is away from home, Bertie is crated but has the run of the house otherwise, with very close supervision, of course. He can’t yet be trusted to know what a dog can chew and what he can’t. Bertie is doing very well with housebreaking. He is taken outdoors regularly and praised when he is successful. He sleeps on a pillow bedside at night, but sometimes does sneak up onto the bed when everyone falls asleep. It’s the “springer” coming out in him; he does like to be close to his people.

Since coming into foster care, Bertie has met many people. Some he takes to right away and nuzzles quickly, while others send him running to his bed. He seems to do better in general if people let him approach them when he’s ready. He was frightened by a small toddler at the vet’s office who was running around and being quite loud, but he does like the 7- and 9-year-old children in his foster home who rub and pat his belly.

Bertie has had no previous training, but he is a quick learner and has almost mastered “sit.” He walks ok on a leash but needs a little more practice. Formal obedience classes would be a very good thing for this youngster. He will jump, counter-surf and probably trash pick, if given the chance. He also is a bit mouthy. He drops to the ground when confronted by something he’s not certain about and runs for his bed if spoken to in a loud voice. A simple “no” seems to work best when correcting him. He does ride like a champ in the car.

Bertie is a sweet and lovable guy and nothing would make him happier than being someone’s cherished pet in the new year.