Duke 14

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Update 01/06/12:

With less than a month in foster care, Duke is really settling down and making fine progress. He hardly resembles the anxious boy he once was. His foster family finds him to be a delightful young pup. He is ready for action and full of life but also sweet and loveable. A true diamond in the rough!

Duke shows no aggression with other dogs, food or toys. He has no submissive urination. He barks generally in attempting to get another dog to play, but not excessively otherwise. He certainly might chew inappropriately, but all young pups require careful supervision until they figure out what is fair game and what isn’t. Duke has absolutely no problem going new places. He walked into doggie day care the first time like a regular, and wasn’t upset in the least at the vet’s office. He spent a weekend at the Jersey shore and transitioned into a new environment seamlessly.

At times Duke can get too excited and needs to be redirected. His foster mom sees this excitement when she returns from being away and lets Duke out of the crate. She has been trying various tricks to tone this behavior down and finds that sticking a toy in his mouth helps as he exits the crate. He is getting better at not jumping, but there is continuing work to be done on this.

Duke’s foster family has been working hard to get Duke to think and he’s getting it. Duke is required to sit for all his meals, treats, attention and all else a dog might want. He can now stop himself mid-jump and sit waiting for his food bowl. He can line up with the other dogs and sit waiting his turn for a treat. He’s getting it that wild, crazy behavior isn’t going to get him anything. He gets dozens and dozens of treats every day, and gets it that he’ll get none unless he quietly sits. He’s not perfect, but moving in the right direction – good boy!!

Duke is very much a puppy and will require further guidance and training. His foster family works on trading with him, when he grabs something and then thinks he’ll start a game of chase. They work on “leave it”, when he sticks his nose into the trash can. They work on “stay” when he’s riding in the car. There is really so much a puppy needs to learn! Duke is becoming very responsive to his foster mom’s “ACH”s when he is into something inappropriate.

Up to about 36 pounds, Duke is eating very well and has gained some needed weight. He will most likely be a 45 pound dog when he fills out. Since he’s getting good food and lots of it, his coat is getting soft and shinny. It is turning from milk chocolate to dark chocolate in color and he’s getting more handsome every day. 

Duke’s housetraining is going well. He hasn’t had any accidents in a few weeks. His foster mom does carefully watch him to be sure he’s going when he’s outside. One warm day, his foster mom had the back door into the yard open a bit, and Duke went in and out taking care of business all by himself………yeah! Until he fully internalizes that dogs go potty outdoors, he will require his family to keep up with the puppy schedule.

Duke has spent many days at doggie daycare and does very well with all the dogs. He no longer tries to mount them and is pretty appropriate in his meeting and greeting. He is a spirited player with a big play tank, but when he comes home from doggie day care, he’s spent. He’s also fine on days when he doesn’t go to doggie day care when he gets the chance to run around outdoors for at least 30+ minutes in the morning and 30+ minutes at night. The resident dogs are quick to correct Duke if he gets too pushy in his quest to play.

His interaction with people is improving too. Duke is now pretty good with all the people in his foster home and new people he meets. He needs to be watched closely to make sure he doesn’t jump up. He loves to sit with the kids and cuddle on their lap and isn’t pulling their clothing anymore. 

Not surprising Duke needs work on leash walking. He pulls a bit and doesn’t have a sense of walking straight ahead. He went for a long walk one day and, getting excited, tried to jump up on passersby – a work in progress but progressing!

Crating has been reduced now to only when his family is out. Duke decided one day that he didn’t want to sleep in it anymore! The resident dogs sleep in the bed with their mom and dad. One evening Duke, completely out of character, went to their bedroom and jumped up on the bed. When every one else came to bed, he didn’t move. He has been very good so he’s been allowed to stay. He also does get up on the sofa, as do the resident dogs.

Duke probably isn’t a real high energy boy, maybe a little higher than average. If his foster mom takes him out into the yard, he will run and play hard; then he’s good indoors. He goes out with the resident two-year-old springer but always has his eye on the door to be sure foster mom is watching. He’s not 100% confident being away from her yet.

This is a fabulous boy. His foster family just loves him. He needs further work but the basic temperament is lovely. He would most likely do best living with another young dog to play with and learn from. Duke is just about ready and can’t wait for his very own mom and dad to love.

Original:

Duke came into MAESSR’s care when the children in his Pennsylvania family developed allergies to him. He’s now living in a foster home with three other Springers and two young teens. This youngster craves attention and doesn’t show much self-control, so, at this point, the other dogs and kids often find his behavior to be “too much.” Since training is key to shaping Duke’s behavior, his foster family and the resident dogs are busy teaching Duke to be a good boy. Duke is exceptionally bright and is responding to the molding he receives on a daily basis. He is also attending doggie day care a few days a week to get further structure and guidance.

Overall, Duke’s house manners are not too bad. He is very “Velcro” so it’s easy for his foster mom to guide Duke toward good behavior. He is 95% housetrained. He can hold his urine but isn’t sure how to ask to go out. His foster mom keeps him on a strict puppy schedule; he is taken outdoors every 45 minutes and watched to make sure he goes. Duke does jump up a lot on people, other dogs and the counters but is responding to correction. He isn’t into the trash, but it’s dog-proofed to eliminate temptation. Duke is only crated when his family is out and at night. He isn’t excited about the crate but settles after a few whines. When Duke hears people stirring in the morning, he barks to let everyone know he is awake too and wants out – :)).

Without a mean bone in his body, anyone can take anything away from Duke and touch him all over. He has no food aggression and isn’t upset when another dog sticks his head into his bowl. 

At this point, Duke seems to be a high-energy field boy. He is amazing to watch running around the yard, springing right over obstacles like shrubs and other dogs. This guy is a work in progress and will benefit from time with the savvy family he will share the holidays with. Watch for updates on Duke as he settles and learns!