Doc Brown 1
Doc Brown 2
Doc Brown 3
Entered: 04/07/2023
Status: On Hold
Age: 1; born 04/06/2022
Color: Liver/White
Weight: 33 lbs.
Gender: Intact Male
Location: Silver Spring, MD
Health: Vaccinations pending completement of treatment for diarrhea, gaining to a healthy weight
Temperament: Good with adults, unknown with children, good with meeting dogs on the street, previously lived with a cat
Original: “After one week, he is sitting politely, if wiggly, for a treat and is starting to respond to the ‘off’ command.”
Doc Brown entered foster care when Virginia shelter personnel contacted MAESSR about a young dog in need of special attention. Doc’s owners had fallen on hard times and had not been caring properly for their young pup. He had arrived at the shelter underweight and with diarrhea. Both health issues are rapidly improving in his foster home.
Despite his challenging beginnings, Doc is a forgiving and loving pet. He will cuddle up for attention and loves a rousing game of tug. He appears to be crate trained and housetrained. When crated, he offers only minor objections and sleeps soundly through the night.
Doc’s high interest in food presented some initial issues for his foster parents. He was lunging for a treat and counter-surfing every surface. An investigative tug on a tablecloth spelled death for some wine glasses. Thankfully, he has become a fast and willing learner. After one week, he is sitting politely, if wiggly, for a treat and is starting to respond to the “off” command. The sight of a food bowl sends him racing for his crate, where he is fed.
At some point, Doc had some leash training. He walks well on a loose leash although he may pull initially. He may pull a lot at the sight of a squirrel! On walks, he has shown little concern over bikes, strollers, and joggers. Doc is intimidated by heavy traffic and construction noises. He greets other dogs appropriately.
Doc does not enjoy car rides and drools excessively. His foster mom is working on desensitizing him to the car. For now, they sit in the car and share a treat: soon they will start driving around the neighborhood.
Doc does not trash dive, jump on furniture, chew or dig, or resource guard. He is mouthy and sometimes jumps and nips at his foster parents. Although his foster parents are correcting this behavior, his new family can also address this issue in formal training. Because of his age and puppyish behaviors, Doc Brown’s new family will be required to enroll him in training 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. Doc will be a star pupil.
More information about this pup will become available over time. For now, his foster family is enjoying his antics and charm.