Dodge

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Update 02/17/09: This fun-loving boy is full of surprises! Dodge plays basketball and can jump onto a 4.5′ retaining wall from a standing position! What an athlete! Unfortunately, this means that a 4′ fence will not hold him if he should feel the need to protect his home from stray deer. Dodge does continue to respect the boundaries of the wireless fence at his foster home.

Dodge’s submissive urination is still somewhat of an issue; however, a couple tricks seem to help. When his foster parents arrive home, they do not make a fuss over the ecstatic dogs, or even pet them, until they have calmed down. Letting Dodge out to greet strangers on the front porch and asking them to ignore him works well, too. Dodge’s foster mom reports that adding pumpkin to his diet seems to have resolved the anal gland issue. She also says that Dodge may be one of the sweetest springers ever!

Update 01/15/09: This handsome, loving boy was adopted in June by a single woman who found that he had too much energy for her quiet home. She returned him to MAESSR in December with the hope that he would find an active family, preferably one with another energetic dog, to become his forever family. She reported that his anal glands had needed to be expressed on a regular basis but that adding pumpkin to his diet alleviated the problem. Dodge has been to obedience class and knows all of the basic commands. He still needs a little work on a reliable come when called with distractions. He is crate-trained and rides well in a car. He has no separation anxiety or fear of thunderstorms. He is wonderful at the groomers.

Dodge has spent the last several weeks with his foster family, consisting of another 4-year-old Springer, 11- and 9-year-old children, and working parents. He’s had ample time to relax into his true self and for his foster family to get to know him. Dodge and the resident Springer play happily during the day without accident or incident while the humans are gone. He will play tug-of-war with anyone who is willing and loves to be petted. He loves his walks but does pull, so a Gentle Leader is helpful. He patrols the backyard, often springing, for any sign of deer. He chases them away but stays within the boundaries of the invisible fence. Good boy!!!!

The only time Dodge barks is when the doorbell rings. He welcomes strangers into the house with some submissive urination. With conditioning and training to wait calmly while visitors enter, he should be able to overcome this issue. Asking the visitors to initially ignore him seems to help. Dodge will sleep in a dog bed beside his foster parents, but prefers to sleep in bed with them, or with one of the children. Dodge’s energy and athletic build, all 55 muscular pounds, make him an ideal candidate for agility training.

If your family is active, willing to help Dodge through his submissive urination issue, and would love a typical energetic, yet Velcro Springer, you may be the answer to Dodge’s dreams.

Original: Dodge is a terrific boy that came to MAESSR as the result of a divorce. He has lived with small children all of his life and likes them. He loves the water too as his photo shows. When he’s tired of swimming, you can take him for a ride in the car something he also likes. At bedtime, Dodge sleeps on a rug beside his foster parent’s bed or in a crate. He would much prefer to sleep in the bed with you. Dodge is reliably housetrained and has excellent house manners. Dodge does pull on a leash, so he will need a harness, or someone committed to teaching him better leash manners.

Dodge will be neutered on 6/11 and will be available to a wonderful family shortly after that. Keep your eyes on this boy!!!!