Chico

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Update 10/18/09: Adjusting to his foster home has come easily for Chico. He continues to be very well-behaved and has complete freedom in the house and yard. He is a tad overeager to go out the door but will wait when told. There has been no occasion where he has needed correction for any behavior, only a verbal reminder to wait at the door. When not drooling on the laptop keyboard, he likes to sit at (or on) his foster mom’s feet, looking noble while waiting for attention.

Chico has not made any effort to counter surf or play in the trash, nor has he shown any signs of aggressive behavior. He has, once or twice, opened and closed his mouth, but it is more of a “silent speak” as a bid for attention. He has charming manners and, while he would like to be on the couch, does not get up without an invitation. He does not beg while his foster mom is eating but just lies quietly at her feet. When treats are handed out, he waits patiently for his and does not try to take anyone else’s.

He would prefer to have company while eating, but for his own safety (and to ensure that he gets to eat all his own food), Chico is fed separately from the herd of resident vacuum cleaners with whom he is living. He loves to spend time in the yard and eats windfall apples, has learned that his fish oil supplement (called fishy pills) is indeed a tasty treat and likes to play with the other dogs.

Chico will bark at strangers coming to the house but not aggressively. In general, he is not a barker and has shown no desire to dig, chew, or jump fences.

This boy is very limber, active, and while willing to be quiet in the house, would really love a home where he is not left alone all day. He would do very well with another canine companion or someone who is able to be at home. Chico will adapt as easily to his furever family as he has to his foster family and is almost ready to make their acquaintance. If a well-mannered, mature, active and adaptable gentleman would be the best fit for your family, please ask to meet Chico!

Original: Over the past years Chico’s family has grown with a new baby on the scene. Now that the baby is an active, mobile toddler, Chico began air snapping at his human sibling, and at other children as well. Despite working with the MAESSR experts for months, they were unable to correct this behavior and decided that it was best for Chico to be re-homed to a family with no children.

Since arriving at his foster home, Chico has been a very good boy. Housetrained, he has full freedom of the house and yard, getting along well with the resident dogs and cats, and with a fellow MAESSR foster. Chico knows basic commands and his leash manners are good, although he will pull a little in new places. He is extremely good in the car and had no problems on his six-hour trip to his foster home.

Although it was reported that Chico does not like to be outside all alone, the opposite has been true at his foster home. He loves being out in the fenced yard and exploring all the new smells. He is very active outside and loves to trot and/or run around with the wind in his ears. He enjoys playing with his ball, but is still too busy checking out his surroundings to pay much attention to it. Inside, Chico likes petting and snuggling with his people.

Chico has barked only on one occasion, when he was in the pen so his foster mother could accomplish a task that required all her attention. Also, even though he reportedly was a counter surfer, Chico has not tried that in foster care. This could partly be because he is in a strange new place, and partly because his foster mom is wise to the wily ways of her own dogs, never has anything even remotely edible been left on the counters. He shows no signs of food aggression toward people and will allow his foster mom to put her hands in his bowl and play with his food. He has not tried to explore the trash, either.

This happy, active boy would be perfect for a home with no children. How about bringing a lovely, spry senior Springer into your family?