Butch 2

---

Update 05/24/12:

The news is all good for Butch….he’s eating well, hasn’t met a person he doesn’t love, and has a GREAT time with his canine foster brother….they mouth and grumble and wrestle all over the place! The island in the center of the kitchen has become a race track. He loves to play keep away with the other dog because he knows he’s faster! They both share their toys very easily. Butch needs LOTS of space to run and is VERY active, so sometimes he doesn’t want to come when he’s called. He probably doesn’t need another dog, because he is such a Velcro guy, but he would certainly enjoy a playmate. The pool at his foster home is just now in the process of being filled, so it’s not clear how his aquatic skills are. Judging from the amount of time he spent in the lake at the Springerfest in Langhorne, his foster mom has a feeling she’ll be cleaning the pool a lot!

It doesn’t seem like this exuberant pup has had any obedience training. His foster mom has found that the hardest thing to get him to do is “sit.” Once he sits, she puts his dinner on the floor and he has to “wait” until she tells him it’s ok to start his dinner. He’s become very good about that. Butch also jumps on people. Because of this, he will do best living in a home with kids who are big enough that they won’t be bowled over by his good-natured excitement. 

A recent trip to the vet revealed more good news for Butch. His urine culture was clear, which means his urinary tract infection has resolved. He hasn’t had any accidents in over a week, but his foster parents are still sure to let him out regularly to take care of business. He also wakes up for an early morning trip outside. Originally this may have been necessary due to his UTI, but his foster mom believes that it may have just become his routine at this point. 

Butch needs just a little shaping to make sure that his behavior is becoming for a Springer on his way to adulthood. He is already off to a good start. He doesn’t beg for food, but will occasionally put his paws up on the counter to see what’s cookin’! No trash diving, but he will drink out of the toilet if someone forgets to put the seat down. His foster mom has been working with him on his leash manners and he’s improved considerably. Butch also loves to go for car rides, but wants to sit in the passenger seat…even if someone else is there! He spent most of the trip to Langhorne in his foster mom’s lap! 

This sweet boy is almost ready for his adoptive home. If you’re prepared to add a loving, active, Velcro Springer to your family, Butch might be just the guy for you.

Original:

Butch is a sweet youngster who came to MAESSR when his New Jersey owner was hospitalized and unable to care for him. Possessing what his foster mom describes as the “sweetest personality,” Butch has been a joy to have as a houseguest. Because he’s such a champion cuddler, Butch has been allowed up on the family room sofa, but he is a good boy who gets down when told. After wiggling up on a lap, Butch gives lots of wet kisses and loves having his tummy rubbed! This total Velcro boy enjoys being with his people at all times – in the car, on a walk, or just at their feet. Butch pulls a bit on leash, but he’s learning quickly that he can’t drag Mom along! His love of people extends to children as well, but since an excited Butch will jump up for attention, he would be best with children beyond the toddler stage.

Although the resident ESS is bigger and 15 pounds heavier, Butch has become the top dog outside, while his foster brother rules the inside. Butch is faster, however, and will chase his new bud all over the yard, tackle him and pin him down…and then they start all over again! Butch is clearly dominant, but he engages in very playful, non-aggressive roughhousing. Resource-guarding has not been an issue. In fact, he and his foster brother share toys easily, even taking turns on the same bone! Butch’s favorite thing to do is to get one of the soft braided pull toys out of the toy box and run away so his foster brother will chase him. He finally will ALLOW himself to be caught, and the two dogs have a great tug o’ war. Ten minutes later they are sound asleep on top of each other. Clearly Butch is having a blast at his foster home!

Butch does not signal to go out, and he has had several accidents in the house. Not sure if this was a housetraining issue, his foster mom considered the possibility of a urinary tract infection. A visit to the vet confirmed her suspicions, so Butch is taking antibiotics to clear the infection. This, hopefully, will put an end to accidents in the house.

Since Butch seems to have had no basic obedience training and doesn’t appear to know any commands, his foster mom is working with him in this area. He is a smart dog and should learn quickly. So smart, in fact, that he has figured out how to open the doggie gate across the mudroom entryway! Since that is where he and his foster brother are kept when the family is not at home, another solution will need to be invented until he is fully housetrained. Butch puts up a little fight about going in a crate at night, but once he’s in, he settles down quickly and goes through the night with no accidents. He sleeps in his foster mom’s bedroom right next to the bed.

Counter-surfing and the trash-picking haven’t been a problem at all with Butch. In fact, he doesn’t seem very food oriented at all. When his foster brother’s bowl is put down first, Butch calmly waits for his bowl and sometimes walks away without finishing. Of course his foster brother jumps at that opportunity!

A trip to the groomer has not occurred yet, but when Butch’s mom tried to trim around his paws, he struggled to get away. He was perfectly behaved, however, when she gave him a bath.

Butch would be a welcome addition to any home. Given his youthful energy and desire to be near his people, Butch would probably do best with another dog in the house. As a solo canine, he would need an owner who was home most of the day and available for lots of play time with him. He would not be happy being left alone for long periods of time. This is one playful pup that has what it takes to become some lucky family’s new best friend.