BooBoo

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Update 04/26/10:

One of the most valuable and sometimes challenging tasks for foster families and the volunteers who work with them is the continuing assessment of a foster dog’s temperament. Most springers arrive with steady, gentle personalities that are a joy to live with. Some arrive with immediate issues that disappear with time to settle, a steady routine, some basic training and loving care. A very few others prove otherwise over time and can not be placed. Such was BooBoo’s outcome.

Original:

When Boo Boo’s owner had to move, he was unable to take him along, so Boo Boo was relinquished to MAESSR. As with most Springers that come to MAESSR, he is incredibly adaptable and has settled nicely into his foster home.

This handsome boy gets along really well with the resident male Springer and female golden retrievers in his foster home; all enjoy playing together. Since Boo is food motivated and has a great appetite, training him is very easy. He is not food aggressive in any way. His foster dad can take his bowl away anytime during meals and can stand against the bowl while he’s eating without any problems. Boo is fed in a crate and he eagerly goes in and waits when it is meal time. He is also crated in the car and rides well.

Boo appears to have had obedience training, but definitely needs brushing up, even with his basic commands. He does heel nicely on the leash, though. Boo can be touchy around his collar and does not like to be directed anywhere by someone holding his collar. To circumvent this, his foster family uses a slip lead on him. Always wanting to go first, Boo has the potentially dangerous habit of bolting through doors ahead of people. His foster family is working with him on this habit and their training is starting to pay off. He does try to see what’s on the counter, but with his foster family’s intervention, Boo Boo has markedly decreased his counter curiosity. His training continues when it comes to toy possessiveness, also. This too has gotten much better and now he will drop the toy when offered a treat in trade. He exhibits this possessive behavior with fleece toys so it would be best not to have these around. A great alternative is tennis balls since Boo loves them and likes to play keep away and fetch at the same time.

Completely housebroken, Boo signals his need to go outside by whining and barking at the door. At night he settles quickly with minimal fuss. In new situations or environments that are strange to him, Boo Boo also tends to bark. As his foster family continues to help him with his socialization, this probably will dissipate.

Boo Boo is a strong-willed dog who will need a dog-savvy human leader in his forever pack. His ideal home would be one in which there was consistent routine for Boo to follow. It could have children at least twelve years old where Boo could be the center of attention. If this describes your family, Boo Boo could be the dog that you are looking for.