Entered: 03/20/2013
Status: Adopted
Age: 2
Color: Liver/White
Weight: 53 lbs.
Gender: Altered Male
Location: Wyomissing, PA
Health: UTD, HW-, overall good health
Temperament: Good with adults, unknown with children, will bark at other dogs but generally good with them, will chase cats
Original: “On walks and in the yard, Cody is quite the hunter, so squirrels, cats, and ducks watch out!”
Cody was surrendered to MAESSR by his Virginia owners due to changes in his behavior after the arrival of a new baby in the home. His owners were unable to provide the amount of exercise and attention that they had previously given him and Cody was acting out in response by grumbling at family members. Although this behavioral change got no further than vocal complaints and his owners struggled with surrendering their beloved boy, they knew that Cody deserved a better life than he was living—one where he could get the attention and exercise he needed.
After a few nights of pacing and panting in his foster home, Cody put aside his mild anxiety and settled into his new environment and new routine. Having his dog bed next to his foster mom’s bed was reassuring and Cody was able to settle down and sleep quietly through the night. He also goes into his bed periodically throughout the day for his naps even when his foster mom is home. When she goes to work, Cody is crated—something he has not been used to since he was a puppy. His foster mom is positively reintroducing him to the crate by having treats and his special squeaky toy placed inside the crate. The first time he was crated, Cody was not entirely sold on the idea and protested by barking and howling. That is no longer an issue. When his foster mom gets home from work, Cody patiently waits to get out and play.
Housetrained, Cody paws at the door to go out to relieve himself. He has fairly good house manners with the exception of counter-surfing, so his foster mom has learned to stow away all edibles while she is teaching him that stealing food from the countertops is not a suitable hobby! He does not chew on any objects that are not his and he eats like a perfect gentleman, not objecting if his foster mom touches him or his food while he is eating. Cody asks permission to get on bed with his foster mom, but if instructed to get down, he obeys. He has not jumped on any furniture since arriving to his foster home. Good boy!
Cody came into foster care knowing the commands “sit” and “down” and his foster mom is teaching him “drop it” and “come.” His off-leash recall is spotty at best, so Cody is getting a refresher course in coming when called. When he is adopted, he and his new family would both benefit from more obedience training for him. Cody is a smart boy who wants to please, so he should be a good student. Right now, he pulls on leash—something that obedience training will also improve. He rides well in the back seat of car with only occasional attempts to get into the front seat to be the co-pilot. He does not like to be alone in the car, though; then, he barks and howls.
Although he’s an only dog in his foster home, Cody has a Golden Retriever foster cousin with whom he goes for walks in the woods and he is fine with her. He loves his walks and runs! One of his favorite places for exercise is a nearby lake with many wooded trails and there Cody has encountered many dogs on and off leash. He greets them with a wiggle butt and has shown no reactive behaviors, provided they are not barkers. During Cody’s first walk on leash at his foster home, he met a highly reactive neighborhood dog which set him off barking. It took some time, but with the diversion of treats and a squeaky toy, Cody recovered and off he and his foster mom went! He will bark at other dogs and people walking by the house especially if he is nside. On walks and in the yard, Cody is quite the hunter, so squirrels, cats, and ducks watch out!
Cody’s playful side really surfaces with an Irish terrier friend from his new neighborhood. The two of them LOVE to play and chase and wrestle together in the fenced yard! If his dog buddy is not around, Cody is quite happy to let his foster mom play with him and touch his toys. He is learning the “drop” command so he can be better at playing fetch. Oh, if you are into yoga, Cody starts his day with numerous “doggy down” poses that would put any Yogi to shame!
A good boy during his trip to the vet, Cody cooperated nicely throughout his exam. It was reported that he does not like having his ears cleaned, though, and turns the other way when he sees the cleaning solution taken out! His previous owners had him professionally groomed and he reportedly was good during his spa treatment.
Do you need a sweet, young, active Springer to add a new element of fun and love to your life? If you enjoy long walks in the woods or playing fetch in the yard or having a fuzzy, four-legged companion to snuggle next to you, Cody is your boy!