Entered: 03/31/2013
Status: Adopted
Age: 1
Color: Liver/White
Weight: 43 lbs.
Gender: Altered Male
Location: Goochland, VA
Health: UTD, HW-, overall good health
Temperament: Good with adults, good with children as young as 10 years old, good with dogs, unknown with cats
Original: “He really wants to be a lap dog and can be a real snuggle bug.”
Cooper was relinquished to MAESSR by his Pennsylvania family because he was not accepting the husband as a leader. He would grumble when the husband tried to come to bed if Cooper and the wife were already there. Although he would readily do anything the wife asked of him, Cooper would not accept commands given by the husband. The family decided that it would be in Cooper’s best interest to have MAESSR find him a home that was a better fit.
Still very much an ESS puppy, Cooper just turned 1 year old on March 12, 2013. As such, he needs a family that will have the time to take him to obedience training and work with him every day without fail. MAESSR only places puppies in homes that are committed to training and bonding with the pup in obedience classes as they require a lot of care, attention, and patience, and they do chew on things! The decision to get a puppy and raise it to be a healthy, happy, and well-adjusted dog is a serious commitment; therefore MAESSR requires all adopters of dogs 1 year old and under to enroll their puppy in an obedience class within 60 days of adoption. Cooper will need to attend two sets of obedience classes with his new family. These classes will help him understand that he is not in charge and it will give his new family the confidence to work with Cooper on how good boys behave.
Some of Cooper’s puppy behavior that needs shaping includes leash-pulling when walked, taking a treat from one’s hand a bit roughly, and being an opportunist when it comes to snatching food. He is a counter-surfer and became adept at taking cheese sticks from children’s hands. If trash is available, he will gladly dive in; he has a particular obsession with grabbing tissues from the trash can.
Conversely, this young pup has some really great qualities. Considering that he has had no formal obedience training, Cooper knows several commands. He responds to “heel” as a command to stop whatever he is doing and return to his person’s side. “Leave-it,” “sit,” and “stay” are also commands in his repertoire. In his former home, Cooper was crate trained and stayed in the crate during the day when his family was at work. He also was trusted with full run of the house at times. He indicates a need to go out by standing by the door, and will bark if no one notices him waiting there. Very good with the kids, Cooper loves playing with them and is quite gentle for his size. He really wants to be a lap dog and can be a real snuggle bug. If someone gives him a neck scratch below his ears, he will “talk” to show how much he enjoys it. And he really loves belly rubs!
Typical of a Springer puppy, Cooper loves walking and running off leash. He loves the water and has had some field training. Although he loves to chase a ball, he is a bit selective about bringing it back. His favorite game is to bring someone a ball that has a rope-pull attached to it. He then holds the ball in his mouth and wants his person to drag him around the room by pulling the rope end.
Cooper has not been professionally groomed but was fine with receiving a scissor trim. He is great with having his ears and feet handled, and has had his nails trimmed without any trouble. He loves baths, jumping right into the tub on command, and really shows off after he’s been bathed — he likes to be clean! Good boy, Cooper! Additionally, he is a very good passenger while riding in the car.
Cooper’s foster family finds him to be a really great boy. He has done very well in their home where the rules are firm and enforced. His foster mom can take anything from him and do anything to him without an issue. He also has been very good for his foster dad.
As you can see, Cooper is a real diamond in the rough. This sweet boy needs a loving family who will have the time to take him to obedience training and work with him every day without fail. This will allow him to unlock his potential to become a very special member of his family.