Dakota 2

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Update 10/17/09: Poor Dakota has had some ups and downs in his nine years. He became a MAESSR dog five years ago after being saved from a shelter. He was successfully adopted, but sadly his owner recently passed away. As a result, he has rejoined the MAESSR family in hopes of finding his final furever home.

Dakota has struggled with allergies for the last several years. His foster dad and the vet are working hard to find the culprit causing his discomfort. He has started an elimination diet to determine if he has any food allergies. In the short term, he is taking a course of steroids which will be followed by antihistamines. He also has a bacterial infection in both ears which is being treated with antibiotics.

Also diagnosed during his vet visit was arthritis in his hips and rear legs. He has some trouble with the stairs in his foster home due to the stiffness in his hind quarters. He’s taking a daily supplement and is increasing his activity level to lose some weight, both of which should help. He currently weighs 67 pounds and would be fitter at 50-55.

Dakota reportedly has some obedience skills and knows “sit,” “down,” “stay,” and “come.”  Due to his difficulty in transitioning from a standing to sitting to down position, those skills haven’t been tested by his foster family. He is housetrained and used to use a crate but has not used one in a very long time. Dakota has full freedom of the house. He has been good on the leash and is reportedly good off leash as long as nothing comes by, like a cat to chase. Dakota is not cat-friendly and will be in serious pursuit if one crosses his path.

This savvy Springer is not afraid of storms and only barks a couple of minutes after you leave the house. Dakota will guard the house from new people by barking at them but will warm up fairly quickly. He will also guard a vehicle that he is riding or waiting in. There has been limited travel with his foster family but he has been a calm rider when out on the road. He doesn’t dig, chew, beg or jump on people. Like many a Springer, he will stick his nose on the counter to see what is there but doesn’t take anything.

Dakota loves to play chase, tug and to wrestle. He loves his daily walks and enjoys playing with all types of dogs at the dog park. Despite his arthritis he tries to keep up with everyone. He occasionally attempts to mount certain dogs and doesn’t always take their signals of rejection seriously. When this happens, his foster dad steps in and either gives him a time-out by putting the leash on him for a bit or he finds some way to distract Dakota for a while. Dakota doesn’t always respond to the “come” command at the dog park, particularly when he is too engrossed with the other dogs. Not unusual but his foster dad is working to improve his doggie socialization skills and obedience in such settings.

Dakota’s temperament has evolved since his return to foster care from reserved to outgoing and friendly. He has gotten along well with his doggy foster brother and sister. He loves his people who have been all adults so far; he hasn’t met children with his foster dad. Since beginning his steroid and antibiotic treatment, he seems as though his discomfort has lessened. This can go a long way toward bringing him a sunny outlook on life. More on Dakota to come!

Updated 6/13/05: Time can pass quickly and, in Dakota’s case, his foster family can’t believe he has been with them since March. His short-term health issues are still minor but have been stubborn to treat. He is continuing on meds for a yeast infection in his ears. And he patiently stands for a med that goes in his eyes. He is eating well and enjoys treats with the resident dogs but needs to gain some pounds as well. Through all, he remains a love puppy.

The extra time with his foster family has given them a chance to know more about Dakota. He loves children and will eagerly go to them. He does NOT like cats and almost went through the front door when one decided to stroll by the front of the house. He pulls a little on his leash but will walk gently with a little reminder. He doesn’t mind his crate any more and will go in with some gentle coaxing.

Dakota remains a very good watch dog. He will alert when there are strangers around and, in fact, cornered a man who was working on the house when the man entered the backyard unannounced. Duke didn’t harm him but kept the man in one spot until his foster mom got there and let him know it was okay!! What a dog!!!

Updated 4/29/05: Dakota has adjusted well to his 4 siblings. He also has decided he has the loudest bark and manages to “talk” over all the other dogs. He is a good guard dog in that he let his foster mom’s daughter know that she was a stranger in the house when she came in while his foster parents were gone!

He gets along well with everyone he meets but has not encountered small children yet. He still does not like the crate, but with time that may change. His allergies seem to be under control with his medication and diet. He still has some ear odor, so treatment is continuing. While this last bit of health improvement is happening, Dakota enjoys getting out with his foster mom for leashed walks and some meeting and greeting of people on the streets of their town. What a way to make the most of spring!!

Original: After nearly two months of living in a shelter, Dakota came into MAESSR’s care and moved to his foster home. What a joyful change that must have been for him! He loves people, loves to be scratched, and likes to lay at his foster family’s feet. He is now sleeping in the master bedroom at night on a doggie pillow by the bed.

Dakota is great with other dogs. He has not been around cats or children in his foster home, but he appears to like the kids walking by the house. He is housebroken and doesn’t chew. He does pull on his leash, so his foster family is working with him to correct this. He knows a few basic commands, including “sit, down, and paw.” He is learning about “treats,” nummies and cookies. He is not food aggressive and has allowed his foster parents to pick up his bowl several times to keep it from being devoured by one of the other dogs. He doesn’t like a crate, but his foster mom thinks that’s because he had been “jailed” for two months.

While getting his medical check-up, a couple of short-term conditions were found for which he is now receiving treatment. He is on medication for two ear infections. He also has eye infections and is on a cream for help with that. Dakota also has an allergy and takes medication for it. None of this gets in his way when it’s time to play which he loves to do. He will be on antibiotics for 14 days and then he will be ready for an adopting family who can love and care for him and make his new lifestyle a permanent way of life!