Entered: 12/30/2012
Status: Adopted
Age: 3
Color: Liver/White
Weight: 50 lbs.
Gender: Altered Male
Location: Altoona, PA
Health: UTD, HW-, treat for whipworms complete, beginning an inexpensive medication to assist with anxiety, slightly overweight
Temperament: Good with people as young as six, good with other dogs, good with cats and chickens
Update 06/25/2013: “The loss of his owners was an upsetting experience for Cooper and resulted in several days of anxiety for him.”
Cooper came back to MAESSR, dearly loved by his owners who reluctantly returned him. Tipping their decision was a concern that Cooper was not the dog to be around their young grandchildren. The loss of his owners was an upsetting experience for Cooper and resulted in several days of anxiety for him. Once he calmed down and began to settle in, he was integrated into the pack with two resident dogs and another foster. He was also started on an inexpensive medication to help him continue to reduce his anxiety.
This handsome dude has been an excellent houseguest since his arrival. He does not chew, dig, counter-surf, get in the trash, or beg. He gently accepts treats. There have been no accidents or marking indoors. Since being told “down,” he does not attempt to jump on the furniture or bed; he stays out of the landscaping. There is no obvious resource-guarding of toys. His foster mom has not attempted to remove his food but is able to pet Cooper or walk around him at mealtime. He will sit and wait politely for the command to go ahead and eat.
Cooper is crate-trained but most likely could be trusted to be left loose in the house. He is currently crated while his foster mom is gone to insure no spats with the resident springer who can be a little crabby. Once Cooper hears his foster mom arrive home, he starts barking until she gets in the house. He’s simply excited but is aware that he needs to calmly and quietly sit to be let out of the crate. He has been crated up to five hours at a time and did well.
When he spots bunnies that are out of his reach, Cooper will excitedly bark but, in general, he is a moderate barker and often joins in with the other dogs. He tends to be an early riser and may encourage his human to get up with some barking. Usually telling him to lay down will suffice until he feels another reminder is needed. Cooper spends the night in his foster mom’s bedroom, usually on a dog pillow or the bare wood floor.
Cooper enjoys attention and being brushed. He is affectionate and listens well, and is a typical Velcro springer. He knows basic commands: sit, stay, down, come, and shake. Overall he is a very good listener, has good recall and rarely attempts to leave the fenced yard when his foster mom goes out the gate. Even then, his attempts are to accompany her rather than escape. Good boy!
Despite arriving with some toys Cooper has shown no interest in them. He did find a stuffed pig which he carries around on occasion and a rope in the toy basket. He enjoys playing tug-of-war or just laying on the floor with the rope over his shoulder. So far Cooper will watch a ball being thrown and give chase but then turns around and comes back without it. He will watch the Frisbee fly; then he lets his foster mom go pick it up. Aw, come on, Cooper!
He is good in his four-foot fenced yard but will jump up and down at the gate when he is excited about going for a walk. Cooper isn’t much for running around the yard or playing ball but he dearly loves his walks. He minds the heat and humidity so walks are taken after the sun goes down on warm days. Overall Cooper does well on the leash but did require some remedial work. On walks he tends to ignore other dogs but sometimes will excitedly bark at other dogs that are raising a fuss at fences. Cooper absolutely loves car rides and tries to lead his foster mom to the car if it is parked outside.
At his vet check Cooper was pronounced in good health but did have whipworms. Treatment is underway. The vet also suggested he lose about four pounds. That is underway too. His foster mom has cut back on his meals and has been taking him for mile-long walks. Expect that number in his “Weight” stat to go down when the rest of his progress is added next time………….
Original: “Cooperative Cooper could easily be his nickname because this sweet Springer boy is eager to please his people and loves to be involved in their activities.”
After being relinquished by his Virginia owner to MAESSR, Cooper walked into his foster home like he had always lived there. The multiple resident Springers and foster Springers welcomed him gladly and Cooper has had a blast playing with them! He is well-behaved with the other dogs and has blended in to the pack with ease. In his previous home, Cooper had lived with a cat and chickens and had done well with both.
Cooperative Cooper could easily be his nickname because this sweet Springer boy is eager to please his people and loves to be involved in their activities. He rides well in the car and always wants to go along whenever his foster mom heads towards her vehicle. When Cooper went to the vet, he was a model patient and he won over the staff with his sweet personality. Even when his foster mom decided to give him a hair cut, Cooper was thrilled with the attention he was getting and he could not get enough. He was excellent for the entire procedure– even having the hair on the pads of his feet trimmed! When his foster mom was done, he kept trying to get her to do more. What a good boy!
Although this active boy loves to play with a soccer ball and go swimming, his favorite activity is jumping in the bed to sleep with his foster parents.
Need a wonderful Springer to love? This handsome boy is ready for his forever home!