Entered: 12/2/2013
Status: Adopted
Age: 6
Color: Liver/White
Weight: 75 lbs.
Gender: Altered Male
Location: Goochland, VA
Health: UTD, HW-, benefiting from a supplement to assist with anxiety, losing to a healthy weight
Temperament: Good with adults once he meets them, good with children from teens to toddlers, good with other dogs off leash, not good with cats
Update 04/07/2014: “Chuck is one extremely sweet boy who should have a good life in a home that has none of those furry, purring creatures.”
Chuck was returned to MAESSR because he was not good with the resident cat in his adoptive home………pesky, meowing critter. He didn’t hurt the cat, but was pretty rough with him.
He is now in a foster home with MANY other dogs of all sizes and has been good with everyone. His main anxiety with other dogs seems to be when he is on a leash. When loose, he plays and runs with the others in his foster home.
Walking on a leash is still a challenge, but Chuck’s anxiety medication has been increased in the hope that he will calm down enough to be a pleasure to take for a walk. Distractions are working now, but life would be so much easier for Chuck if he just didn’t care.
Chuck is one extremely sweet boy who should have a good life in a home that has none of those furry, purring creatures. He will need a family to have patience in taking him for walks and helping him through his worries. Chuck needs to know that he is loved.
Update 01/28/2014: “Chuck is a big 75 pound teddy bear and couch potato who behaves well at his foster home.”
Chuck is a big 75 pound teddy bear and couch potato who behaves well at his foster home. He is still fed in his crate but otherwise plays and is great with the resident dog. Chuck also loved playing with and being babysat by elementary and teen children recently.
He is still leery of other dogs, and his low growl lets his foster mom know he is uncomfortable with other dogs coming toward him. This reaction probably stems from experiences in his surrendering home. An inexpensive anti-anxiety medication is helping Chuck deal with his past.
This guy has made so much progress, continues to lose weight and is benefiting from a more active lifestyle. He is now ready to move to his forever home which ideally would be a family with older children. Chuck might be happiest also if he were an only dog. Are you ready to give him some continued exercise, love and a happy home? What a Happy Valentine’s Day Chuck would have!!
Update 01/12/2014: “Baby gates and continued training are among Chuck’s new experiences as well.”
Chuck’s foster family continues to think of him as a “big baby” but he’s not as big as when he arrived. Through lots of new experiences, he’s losing weight. He’s adapting to his family’s routine which includes him going to the family farm regularly with his foster dad. Though not inclined to hunt in the fields, Chuck runs there and is kept active. He has begun to “spring” and show a waist. He can now jump into the car!
Possibly helping with his weight loss, too, is that he is fed in his crate, separate from the resident dogs. With some aggressive tendencies around food, this ensures he gets only his share and keeps peace within the pack.
As with most dogs in foster care, Chuck’s personality continues to emerge as he settles in. In general, he is good around the other dogs in his home, but at times he wishes his foster dad’s lap was big enough for both him and the 2 year-old lab who is used to occupying that treasured space. If growled at, Chuck will press for his turn. Long-term, Chuck is one who may do best as an only-dog or in a home with submissive canine companions.
In addition to coveting lap time, Chuck is a couch potato. Since that isn’t allowed in his foster home, he is learning “off.” He is not allowed to sleep on his foster parents’ bed, either, but every morning when they awake, Chuck is sleeping at the bottom of the bed. Baby gates and continued training are among Chuck’s new experiences as well.
Increased exercise, some training, and a supplement to assist with anxiety are all contributing to Chuck’s progress toward being ready for an adopting family. With weight loss he has new energy and capabilities. With time he’s learning how to play nicely with the lab in his home. And, with some consistent training, he’s learning to respect boundaries. His foster family feels he will be a great dog for a family with older children. Check back to see what’s in store for this handsome boy next……………….
Original: “Chuck is quite shy and slightly nervous with new dogs and people until he gets to know them.”
This big cutie was relinquished from his original home in Delaware because his older Springer housemate, with whom he was raised, started to attack him. Because of this, Chuck’s sensitivity levels have changed.
Chuck is quite shy and slightly nervous with new dogs and people until he gets to know them. When a new dog or person comes into sight, he will quietly grumble, show signs of agitation, and take an aggressive posture, sometimes barking. People wearing hats throw him off until their headgear is removed and then he is thrilled to see them. Chuck is working with his foster family on learning not to be fearful of new encounters and instead to take pleasure in the new company. Speaking to him when he encounters this new dog or person seems to relax and quiet him down. With time and exposure it is expected that this behavior will diminish. Chuck has no issues living with the resident cat, though.
In reality Chuck is a big baby who is currently unsure of himself. Because of his previous housemate, he has shown some food aggression and is currently being fed separately in his crate. He does not like other dogs around his food. Having been raised indoors, Chuck is housetrained and trustworthy. He has full roam of the house but likes to nap in his crate. At night he sleeps in his dog bed in the master bedroom. He has terrific house manners with no chewing, counter-surfing, or getting in the trash. In the yard there is no digging or fence jumping. In his previous home, Chuck was allowed on the bed and furniture; however, this is not true in his foster home and he is obediently following the command of “off.” Chuck also knows “come.” He is allowed off lead in the yard and remains around the house when let outside. He enjoys his mile-long walks without pulling. With this increased activity, he should be losing some weight, too.
Even dogs have idiosyncratic behaviors. Something odd that Chuck does is picking up shoes by the door and carrying them outside. He does not chew on them; he just likes to carry them! (Maybe he thinks they need airing out!) He allows his foster family to take anything from his mouth, including their shoes! Chuck has been professionally groomed and doesn’t fuss when having his ears and toenails clipped. He rides well great in the car, too!
Although a bit intimidated by other dogs at the park initially, once Chuck gets to know them, he plays well with them. He does not play with toys, nor does he fetch, though. He does like to play with the older foster in the house and she lets him know when she has had too much, with no quarrels occurring between the two. Chuck is afraid of the 2-year-old dominant lab in his foster home and they mutually stay in different rooms in the house.
Chuck needs a home where people will love him completely. With his whole body wiggling from head to tail, he would happily return their love. If his forever family had a cat or a submissive dog or better yet children, Chuck would be really happy! If you are looking for a sensitive, well-behaved, affectionate boy then Chuck is your big baby!