Doug

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Update 09/23/10:

Doug continues to be his foster mom’s shadow and is a very loving boy once he feels comfortable with someone. Because Doug continues to have some fear in new situations and around strangers, his foster family is working hard to help Doug combat these feelings. When strange people come to the house, they are instructed to ignore Doug and allow him to come to them on his own terms. By giving Doug the time to feel comfortable and less threatened, it is hoped that he will learn that strangers do not have to be scary. A recent visitor to the home was accompanied by her toddler, and Doug did very well with the young visitor.

Doug recently accompanied his foster family to the MAESSR picnic in Maryland. He was a bit nervous in this environment, but willingly accompanied his foster mom in the day’s activities. He had the opportunity to spend two nights in a hotel room and did very well in this unfamiliar setting. His crate was brought along on the trip. When feeling overwhelmed, Doug would take advantage of his safe haven.

His foster family recently acquired a new canine addition to the family. Doug particularly enjoys playing with this six month old puppy. He does very well with both of his puppy foster siblings, and continues to accept any corrections that the Canine in Charge provides. He seems to be much more at ease in the presence of other dogs and currently is residing with four canine siblings.

Doug continues to eat and sleep in his crate. Because he is such a good boy, his foster mom decided to give him free run of the house when she needs to be away from home. Doug handles this new found freedom very well and is a perfect gentleman when left unattended. There is never an object out of place when his humans return.

Looking for another member to join your pack? Doug is a sweet boy who would love a family to call his own.

Update 08/10/10:

Doug has become his foster mom’s shadow and routinely seeks her out for love and affection. While she is busy completing her daily tasks, he will lie quietly waiting for her to give him attention. He also enjoys being outside and checking out every square inch of the yard for new smells. Doug is comfortable looking out the front door and just watching the world go by; he very rarely barks.

Doug continues to do well with his canine foster siblings. He has even started to playfully interact with them. At times, he can become a bit overzealous but he willingly accepts corrections from the resident alpha dog and then goes about his business. Doug is a smart boy who picked up quickly on the household routine. He always knows when someone is getting ready for his favorite pastime, a ride in the car! Doug is happy to accompany his humans wherever they are willing to take him.

Before Doug became a MAESSR boy, he spent a month at a shelter. The veterinarian believed that his time there had a negative impact on his comfort level in strange situations, and suggested a medication to help ease his anxiety. Since starting the medication, Doug has made noticeable improvements and is more relaxed when confronted with something new. In addition, his foster family has started to slowly expose him to different situations so that he learns the world is not so scary. Recently, Doug came along for a visit to a family friend, her two dogs, and cat. At first, he was intimidated by this strange person and her critters. In a short period of time, he was visibly more relaxed and even interacted with the resident dogs. He had no interest in getting better acquainted with the cat and basically ignored him for the entire visit. What a good boy he is!

Doug has received a clean bill of health. He willingly takes his medications in a pill pocket and is a trooper when it is time to have his monthly flea and tick preventative applied. Doug wants to look and feel his best, so he is very patient when his foster mom gently swabs his ears with ear cleaner and a cotton ball. He does not seem to be afflicted with the Springer curse of frequent ear infections– lucky boy! He also seems to enjoy being brushed.

In his foster home, Doug is a happy go lucky boy who loves everyone. Whenever a family member walks into the room, his tail starts wagging at warp speed. Doug would be quite happy to join your family to spread the love!

Original:

Doug came to MAESSR from a Pennsylvania animal shelter where he had been impounded as a stray. He had been found tied to a pole outside of the shelter, apparently abandoned by his owner. After spending a month at the shelter, MAESSR was contacted and brought this sweet, scared boy into foster care.

Unfortunately, Doug contracted kennel cough at the shelter and the stress caused a bout of coccidia. He is receiving medication for both. After the completion of these meds, Doug will get a bordatella booster and a Distemper booster. Then, he will be up to date on his vaccinations. He has already received his rabies vaccine and he is heartworm negative. Yeah!

Doug’s foster mom took him directly to the groomer on their way home from the shelter as he very much needed a bath and a haircut. He enjoyed his day at the spa and was a very well behaved boy. He allowed his groomer to bathe him, trim his nails, clean his ears and give him a haircut without a problem. Good boy, Doug!

After his trip to the groomers, it was off to his foster home to meet the other three dogs in residence there. Doug did well with the meeting and seemed interested in getting to know his new housemates. He has received corrections from his foster siblings and is a very submissive boy.

Both housetrained and crate trained, Doug has very nice house manners. He seems to know that furniture is off limits to him and he does not counter-surf or trash pick. He patiently waits for his foster mom to prepare his food and he has a healthy appetite. He eats his meals in his crate and sleeps there at night as well. When no one is home to supervise him, Doug is also crated.

On walks with his foster mom, Doug does well on the leash. Although he does not do a formal heel, he still does not pull on the leash. Walk time is particularly pleasant because Doug likes to sniff all of the scents and view the sights. Toys are a bit of a mystery to Doug and he is unsure as to what to do when a ball is thrown for him to fetch. He does like to chew on bones, though. Doug also seems unsure of how to play with other dogs. He will initiate a play bow but is unsure what to do when one of his foster siblings responds positively to play. He responds the same way at the dog daycare that he attends. A bit skittish, Doug needs time to feel comfortable in new situations.

Living inside a house takes some getting used to and Doug has been acclimating rather well. Although he is not fearful of thunder or other loud noises, he chooses to go to another area of the house when his foster mom vacuums! He loves car rides and enjoys looking out the window at the scenery whizzing by. Very rarely does he bark and then, he is easily quieted. In the yard he is not a digger or a fence jumper; he’s just a sniffer. One of the few things Doug dislikes, though, is having a person grab him by the collar. Otherwise, Doug is a super sweet boy who loves attention from his people.

Doug would love a new home to call his own. Could he join your family?