Entered: 06/21/2011
Status: Offered
Age: 6
Color: Black/White
Weight: 53 lbs.
Gender: Altered Male
Location: Goochland, VA
Health: UTD, HW-, receiving an inexpensive medication for anxiety
Temperament: Good with people as young as 15, good with other dogs, unknown with cats
Update 04/01/2017: “This very sweet boy LOVES squeaky toys. He will grab one, run out into the yard, and roll around squeaking it….it looks like so much fun!”
Owen has continued to make steady progress in his foster home and is now ready to find a forever family. This very sweet boy LOVES squeaky toys. He will grab one, run out into the yard, and roll around squeaking it….it looks like so much fun!
The anxiety medication that Owen is on has made a great difference and has helped him to settle. He may need to be on the medication long term. Since it is inexpensive and works, this should not be an issue.
Owen continues to get along well with the multiple other dogs in his foster home. He loves to play chase with them. His car riding has improved also.
Overall, Owen is a fantastic boy! He just needs a family that will set limits for him and continue coaching him to reinforce their expectations. The reward will be a lifetime of love from a very special boy.
Update 02/02/2017: “He likes his Kong toys and thinks swimming is a fun thing to do.”
Bogey, who goes by Owen now, was returned to MAESSR because his anxiety issues were very difficult for his owner to manage in her current environment. She had tried many things, but nothing seemed to work long term. The decision to return him was very difficult, but she wanted to help him find a home that would be a better fit for him.
Owen is housetrained but not crate trained; he hates the crate. He has been allowed full freedom in his foster home. He doesn’t beg for food or counter-surf. He will jump on people in greeting.
Although he has never lived with any children, Mr. O. has done fine with them when introduced. He barks at other dogs but is usually submissive. He is also a barker when his owner leaves and will bark in the car when it is slowed to stop; car riding is just not his favorite thing. He did do well with the groomer. The handsome guy didn’t like having his feet or ears groomed, but tolerated the attention.
Owen has had intermediate obedience training and knows “sit,” “stay,” “down,” “heel,” “off,” and “out.” He walks well on the leash, enjoys long walks and loves to run. He is also pretty good at recall. He likes his Kong toys and thinks swimming is a fun thing to do.
The new fellow in the house loves to sleep in the bed with his foster family. Not enough room in the bed? He settles for a dog bed close to the big bed.
Owen has some anxiety about changing situations. For example, when his person is getting ready to walk out the door, he barks loudly at her. If she is going into a room and he cannot go with her, he barks. He is currently being helped by a medication for anxiety. Owen’s adoptive family will be required to continue the anxiety medication for a minimum of six months after adoption. This will give him plenty of time to settle in.
His new family will need to have another dog too. Owen really enjoys being with another dog. The family will also need a fenced yard so he can have plenty of exercise. Watch out…Owen is a cuddler. If you are looking for a Springer to take walks, go swimming and be with you all the time, this is the guy for you.
Original: “His main sin is that he likes to take the resident terrier’s bed and pull the stuffing from it or make sure any loose strings on the rug are thoroughly stress tested.”
Bogey was purchased from a breeder by his Virginia owner’s children after her older Springer passed away. When his owner broke her ankle, his activity was seriously limited and she felt it would be better to place him in a more active home.
For a five month old, Bogey is fairly well housebroken, as long as he’s taken out right after coming from his crate in the morning, and every four hours or so during the day. He’s had no accidents in his foster home, other than a little leakage while getting his leash put on to go out. He sleeps in a wire crate at night, whimpering for a few seconds before being told to quiet down and go to sleep.
Bogey doesn’t trash dive, is fairly good about not counter-surfing, and is in the process of learning what is and is not appropriate to chew. His main sin is that he likes to take the resident terrier’s bed and pull the stuffing from it or make sure any loose strings on the rug are thoroughly stress tested. He will get on the resident Springer’s day bed but will hop back down if a foster parent doesn’t come along to sit with him and give pets.
This smart and handsome little guy has already attended two obedience classes with his former owner. He respects a puppy gate and rides in cars with no problems if he’s tethered. Because his foster home isn’t particularly puppy-proofed, Bogey is crated while his foster parents are out for long trips. Otherwise, he’s gated in one part of the house. Bogey’s leash manners are a work in progress, especially when out with the resident dogs. He’s better when on his own, not being so competitive about moving forward.
Like any good Springer pup, Bogey loves to play with his toys— tug of war and keep away. He was temporarily fostered at a home with a fenced yard and two fox terriers (one male, one female) and loved romping with both of them, chasing his Frisbee, stealing toys, and generally being a goof. He bows to the resident Springer in his current foster home and respects her space when she says, “Enough.” He just doesn’t understand why the resident terrier isn’t as much fun as his previous terrier friends. He doesn’t resource guard and openly welcomes any dog he meets. With people, he sidles up to total strangers with a wagging tail and Springer grin, hoping to get petted.
Energy-wise, Bogey is a typical five month old. He loves to play all out and then flops down like a Springer rug until the next play session. He is intelligent and being given things to do seems to settle him. He will benefit from the additional obedience training that will be a requirement of his adoption, as it is for all MAESSR pups under one year old. A fenced yard to allow him the freedom to play and another dog who loves to run around and play games would do much to keep him quiet and peaceful indoors. Of course, this adorable little guy is also a complete love bug with people and will surely bring a lot of joy to the humans in his forever home!