Entered: 11/04/2006
Status: Adopted
Age: 8 months
Color: Black/White
Weight:
Gender: Altered Male
Location: Bedford , PA
Health: UTD, HW-, good in all areas
Temperament: Good with adults, children unknown at this time, good with other dogs, good with cats
Original: Charlie is a ball of sheer energy, nothing usual about that for a Springer pup, but it’s always amazing to experience. He is a bundle of entertainment for his foster parents and can keep them laughing hysterically with his antics. At this stage of growing up, Charlie is somewhat clumsy and tries to navigate stairs much more quickly than those legs of his will allow. He ends up sort of surfing down them in the end. He also has a gift for running into the door and the person in front of it when he gets excited about the prospect of going outside. Charlie is affectionately referred to as the “big lug” or “ox” when he highballs his stocky frame around in a spree of play and jumping. He will, however, lie down calmly and spend time by your side when you are ready to relax.
Like all youngsters Charlie requires some supervision but is doing very well with his indoor manners. He has earned run of the house when his family is home. When they are gone, he spends time in a crate. He takes some direction when sent to his crate but will cooperate with absolutely no resistance and settles in nicely. At night he sleeps in the bedroom with the rest of the crew. Right now it’s hard to differentiate Charlie’s desire to go out for play from his need to go out for a pitstop. His family accommodates by letting him out when he is at the door and he has not had accidents for several days now.
Charlie will check out things but doesn’t chew on them in part, perhaps because his attention span is youthfully short. He has grabbed socks, a shirt, and a boot but promptly put them back when his foster mom noticed. He steers clear of the cat food and box which is much appreciated by the resident feline. He does well with the cat itself though, good boy!!
He is fine with other dogs and wants to play with all of them. Charlie shares his foster home with Springers, one of which has a tendency to dominate male fosters. Charlie pays him no mind. Charlie continues to go back and tries to make friends but knows when to just give up for the day and retreat to the other side of the couch. Upon meeting new people, Charlie is a bit shy, but with the grownups he has met, Charlie becomes very personable and has shown no aggression at all, including when food is involved.
Charlie is started on the very basics of obedience. He knows “sit” and “stay” but will need further training. He is energetic and has a hard time sitting still at times. An obedience class with his adopting family will be required and should help Charlie with becoming a well-behaved boy. He is comfortable with being on a leash and has had only very limited time off leash with his foster parents. Off leash activity can increase as he becomes reliable on recall. He rides incredibly well in the car and is ready to go when someone grabs the keys.
In his foster mom’s words, “Charlie is something else.” He could be a poster boy for adolescent Springers. He has lots of energy and can soak up endless attention. He needs active people who are ready to start a youngster and invest their time and love in consistent training and hands-on involvement with their dog. Charlie came into MAESSR’s care from a shelter in Pennsylvania. He had been relinquished because his family was moving and could not take him along. He is ready for a fresh start and will reward a committed family with lifelong companionship and fun!