Ghostrider

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Original: “He will benefit greatly from dedicated training to help him learn appropriate boundaries and how to follow basic commands.”

Ghostrider – or “Rider,” as his foster family calls him, is absolutely the sweetest thing! He came to MAESSR from an unusual situation in Pennsylvania where he may not have encountered all the things puppies normally encounter and learn boundaries about in their early months. As a result, he’s the most curious puppy ever and nothing fazes him!

Rider is mostly housetrained but doesn’t signal to go out; as a result, he’s had a few accidents since being with his foster family. When his people aren’t home, Rider is crated.  He’s not crazy about this situation, but once he can be trusted, he’ll no doubt be fine out of the crate. At night he settles nicely and sleeps with his foster mom, alternating between her bed and the rug on the floor. 

While interested in the cat’s canned food (because what dog isn’t?!), Rider is otherwise not at all food motivated. He will take treats, cautiously, but doesn’t beg. Rider does counter-surf but it’s out of curiosity– he is such a curious puppy he should be a cat!

Learning manners and basic commands are works in progress.  He will benefit greatly from dedicated training to help him learn appropriate boundaries and how to follow basic commands.  Note that MAESSR will require Rider’s adoptive family to take their new family member through a series of obedience 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. 

Along his training journey, Rider has learned his name and readily comes when called…except when he’s playing keep away with the tennis ball in the backyard – such a fun, fun game! He enjoys walks but will pull.  He loves to go on car rides and is a very good passenger. Fun fact – when Rider came to his foster family’s house, he didn’t really know how to jump into the car.  Perhaps in his early environment he never encountered situations where he needed to jump into a car! He has since learned. 

Rider loves playing with the resident dog but is still learning how to read her social cues.  She has warmed up to him and they enjoy a rousing play session more often than not! The cat, on the other hand, isn’t a fan and has let Rider know; however, he is unfazed and continues to hope the cat will eventually warm up as well.

Rider loves everyone he meets and doesn’t know a stranger. He doesn’t mind having his ears and feet handled, but a nail trim will likely be best done at the vet just to have the extra help with a wiggly puppy. He has not yet been to his foster family’s vet since he was neutered just before entering foster care and is up to date on his vaccines. 

This sweet puppy needs a home with someone ready to give him lots of love but also willing to put the time into training.  Right now, he is truly like a toddler, wanting to put everything in his mouth!  Despite all the things that need to be worked on, Rider really is such a sweet, fun boy!  He will be adored by whoever adopts him!