Entered: 05/15/2022
Status: Adopted
Age: 11 months; born 09/04/2021
Color: Black/White
Weight: 42 lbs.
Gender: Altered Male
Location: Galloway, NJ
Health: UTD, receiving calming meds
Temperament: Good with adults who let him take time to become acquainted, unknown with children, unknown with cats
Original: “He has come a long, long way since he’s been in this foster home and is growing more confident each day.”
Dash came to MAESSR when his previous owner from New York did not have time for him. Dash is a wonderful dog filled with a ton of potential. He’s smart, loving and wants to learn. He has come a long, long way since he’s been in this foster home and is growing more confident each day.
Dash arrived at his foster home a very timid, frightened pup who appears to have spent his first ten months with very limited social interaction. He was not housetrained, scared of going through doorways, unsure of any touch, and fearful of people. He has no fear of other dogs but seems uneducated in dog language. He takes correction easily from all his canine foster siblings but wants so badly to play; however, his awkward sudden movements were a turn off to the other dogs. They have all worked out an understanding of each other and he and his foster sister run the yard every day playing a good game of catch-me-if-you-can.
At this point his foster family has been able to potty train him, teach him to grab a toy to disrupt his mouthy play, settle when meeting new people, and they are slowly working on using a crate. His first crate experience in his foster home was a disaster so after some time and training using the crate is being reintroduced in a methodical positive way, very gradually expanding the length of time he is crated. At night he sleeps in the master bedroom on a dog bed and has been known to sneak up on the big bed!
Dash’s progress has been a long road with the use of calming medications prescribed during veterinary consults. He has been going to work with his foster mom several days per week. He is best at meeting new people when they are seated and he is allowed to come up to them and investigate in his own time. All of the staff have rejoiced in his progress and reward his small steps forward.
Swimming lessons are under way for Dash; his foster family is trying to teach him to swim. He is very afraid to go in the pool, but when he is held under his chest in the water, he calms easily. He starts out using all four legs then seems to stop kicking with his back legs and sinks. He will eventually get this, but needs to show he can get to the steps safely. He prefers waiting on the steps for the other dogs to return with the toys they retrieved and then he wrestles the toy out of their mouth. Fortunately, the other dogs are allowing this game.
Dash has been neutered, and was given all his vaccinations. He did well at the groomer who was very patient but said he hated the dryer. Dash will need to remain on calming medications as he transitions into a new environment. Dash will counter-surf when he smells something of interest but takes correction. He does know “sit,” “off,” “down,” “lie down,” “drop” and “potty.” Please note that MAESSR will require the adoptive family to take their new family member through a series of obedience classes within 90 days of adoption. MAESSR only places puppies – even older ones – in homes that are committed to training and bonding with the pup in obedience classes. Puppies require a lot of care, attention, and patience. MAESSR believes the decision to get a puppy and raise it to be a healthy, happy, and well-adjusted dog is a serious commitment.
The ideal family for Dash will be patient and eager to help this boy evolve into a wonderful companion. Dash has a high startle response so any movement outdoors needs to be done slowly with a good grasp of the leash and a collar or harness he cannot back out of. He needs a yard that has a physical fence. His forever family must be willing to work with a positive reinforcement trainer. With time and work this boy could be a great therapy dog, as he loves the attention and petting once he knows he is safe with you.