Entered: 10/22/2019
Status: Adopted
Age: 1
Color: Liver/White/Tan
Weight: 50 lbs.
Gender: Altered Female
Location: Bethlehem, PA
Health: UTD, HW-, treatment for ear infection complete, receiving a supplement to combat anxiety
Temperament: Initially fearful of men and strangers, not recommended with small children, generally good with other dogs, unknown with cats
Original: “Once she gets to know someone—male or female—she becomes a complete love bug.”
Elka was surrendered by her original Pennsylvania family because she sometimes nipped and grumbled when approached, and they were concerned about her being around their two-year old. They were advised that Elka could overcome this behavior through training, but they did not wish to undertake the training process. That is when MAESSR was contacted and Elka’s new life began as a MAESSR girl.
Elka is fearful of men she doesn’t know and does not like it when anyone touches her face or collar suddenly. Once she gets to know someone—male or female—she becomes a complete love bug. Her foster mom has seen her go from barking and growling at a new person to trying to share their chair in order to get some loving.
MAESSR has a trainer working with Elka and her foster mom to address Elka’s behavioral issues. She has been making great strides! If Elka is behaving badly, her foster mom will say “no,” turn away, and distract Elka into another behavior.
Elka is housetrained and doesn’t need to be crated when her people are away. She does like to nap on the couch but responds to “off” and a treat if she is supposed to get down. Currently at night Elka is not allowed to sleep in the bedroom because she insists on sleeping on the bed, not beside it, so has a dog bed outside the bedroom door.
Elka’s other house manners are generally very good. She doesn’t try to counter-surf or get into the trash. She’s learning not to steal items such as slippers and will “leave it,” combined with a treat. She is very food motivated which helps in her training.
As to knowing commands and going for walks, Elka is a pretty sharp student. She knows “sit,” “lie down,” “stay,” and “heel” and can weave in and out of legs, and retrieve. Great on leash walks, Elka only pulls a little. She is has been apprehensive about getting into the car but is happy when riding. Her foster mom taught her “big jump” to jump into the car followed by a reward. To avoid getting into a situation that Elka may react by nipping or growling, her foster mom closes the car door to let Elka settle before taking off her leash or going near her. Elka is getting much better in this; however, her new owners will need to continue to work on this with her.
Elka has a lot of energy, definitely the “spring” in Springer! She definitely needs daily walks that burn off some of that energy. One day, by accident, she almost caught a squirrel so has been re-learning to walk by the squirrels! This little adventurer loves to explore and go for long walks. She has walked through water and thinks swimming might be her next frontier or maybe agility training. She is up for a hike or walk at any time, having learned how to greet people and dogs politely on trails (just needs a reminder now and then). After a long hike she is quite content to snuggle and have a nap.
Playing with toys and with other dogs also burns off Elka’s energy. She has a tire pull toy she likes and she loves (and guards) bones. She socializes well with other dogs and enjoys playing with them. At mealtime she eats in the kitchen, where she also has a dog bed. Her foster mom works at the kitchen table most evenings and Elka will lie at her feet, happy to gnaw on a bone or play with a toy.
Elka was not thrilled going to the vet. She was grumpy with the vet when he palpated her stomach and when he looked at her infected ears. The vet opted to sedate her to clean her ears, give her shots, and finish the checkup.
Elka would be best matched with an active family without small children. MAESSR will require her new family to commit to taking her to at least two sets of obedience classes and keeping her on a calming supplement for six months after adoption. With effort and training, Elka will be a wonderful addition to her forever family.