Chip 8

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Although MAESSR is a Springer rescue, sometimes non-Springers enter the program due to difficulties in differentiating Springers from similar sporting breeds from a head photo only. Long ago the policy was made that “once a MAESSR dog, always a MAESSR dog. MAESSR’s commitment to assessment, care and placement is the same for non-Springers as for Springers.

Though Chip has the heart of a Springer, his foster family has determined that he is an English cocker. He came into MAESSR’s care along with his brothers Smokey IV and Poe when their Maryland owner could no longer care for them properly. 

This great little dog has made his way into his foster family’s hearts just as he will do in his forever family. Eager to please and loving his people, Chip has bonded quickly to his foster family members. For a guy who had little human contact and socialization prior to becoming a MAESSR boy, Chip has been making great strides. 

Chip was not housetrained when he came into foster care, but has doing very well in learning what is expected of him. Currently, when his foster family is at home, he has complete run of the house and can be trusted to sleep at night outside of a crate. Just to be sure, though, he is crated when the foster parents are not home. 

Chip is not totally angelic, though. There is a bit of the imp in him which is not incompatible with his age. He is still a puppy who his foster mom calls her little thief. Chip loves to find a shoe and run off with it or perhaps some laundry that didn’t make it into the laundry basket! His foster parents are working with him on this playful thievery. One thing he does which is quite funny is that he barks at his reflection in the mirror and he barks at the television. 

Obedience lessons are certainly on Chip’s horizon. He does not know any commands yet but is working on coming when called. Walking on a leash is totally foreign to Chip and he does not like it. He just freezes rather than walks. So, this is another area that his foster family is working on with him. MAESSR requires that adopted puppies a year and younger must attend mandatory obedience training with their forever families. This good policy ensures good communication between family and pup and it will help in the bonding process. Car riding has been a success with Chip. He is a good passenger who stays in one spot and enjoys the ride.

This active puppy loves toys, but does not try to destroy them. He likes to have a ball thrown for him, but he has not caught on that he is supposed to return it to the thrower so the game can continue. Chip enjoys the company of other dogs and will initiate play with the resident canines. Not into resource guarding, Chip is happy to share his toys and food with others. He is not a perpetual dynamo, though; he is active when it is playtime, but is happy to rest calmly next to his people, too. 

Despite being extremely shy and timid when you first meet him, Chip is a very social dog. When he first meets strangers, he may cower, but once he figures out that his new friends are kind and can be trusted, Chip is very quick to warm up to them. Chip would do well in a family of kids and other playful dogs.

Bring this loving, social butterfly into your family!