Entered:
Status: On Hold
Age: 6; born 08/04/2017
Color: Apricot/Cream Golden Doodle
Weight: 62 lbs.
Gender: Altered Male
Location: Springfield, VA
Health: UTD, HW-, treatment completed for mild UTI, benefiting from a medication for anxiety
Temperament: Extremely shy and retreats immediately from visiting adults and children, happy around other dogs, good with dog savvy cats
Update 04/25/2024: “Slowly and at his own speed, Gibson seems to be accepting of household life and is forgetting the ingrained kennel routines.”
Gibson is inching forward to his goal of achieving confidence. His curiosity continues to overtake his hesitant and cautious manner.
The door to the outside is still a bit of an invisible barrier for Gibson. Apparently, this is not unusual for long term kennel dogs. For the longest time, he would not go in or out of this main access to the backyard unless his foster person would back up to the sofa in the living room. Of course, all of the resident dogs charge in and out of this sliding door uninhibited. Recently, Gibson started trotting outside even though his foster person was standing at the threshold. Coming back inside still gives Gibson second thoughts. He comes inside readily if there is unusual activity in the backyard, like visitors. He does run over to the visitors to check everything out, but then retreats to his safe spots inside. Gibson enjoys lounging on the porch in the fresh air and will park himself outside for hours simply enjoying the activity all around him.
Leash walks are still a work in process, but Gibson seems to get excited and run to the backyard gate once he is leashed up. He does not pull on the leash, but still darts side to side. A recent walk provided him the opportunity to meet a new neighbor. She was able to pet him and walk alongside Gibson with another resident dog. He did not retreat or dart away at any time. Good boy, Gibson.
When loose in the backyard, Gibson will charge all over the yard with the other dogs and then find his safe shady spot to observe activity. A person cannot approach him with the leash while he is “loose.” If a person reaches out to him, he will immediately dart away, but then turn around and make sure someone is close by. He will come up to a person once the person is sitting down, and he will enjoy a big petting session. The young male Springer still engages Gibson in “chase,” but both seemed to have a more relaxed attitude to each other.
Gibson had a vet visit the other day. He relaxed with his Springer buddy for the long car ride. He was the perfect patient during his vet visit. Once he arrived home, he trotted through the backyard and checked out his safe spots inside before he went back outside to relieve himself. Gibson would not relieve himself while he was walked around the vet’s field. He seemed nervous that he was not in familiar territory.
Gibson has gained about five pounds since his last weigh-in. He seems more muscled from all of the back yard sprints and frequent walks. Of course, Gibson has developed quite an appetite and relishes any treats.
Slowly and at his own speed, Gibson seems to be accepting of household life and is forgetting the ingrained kennel routines. Inside, he still darts away if one approaches him in the hallway or a doorway. If he is on his safe dog bed, sofa area or big bed, he is an entirely confident and obedient dog. As the summer warms up, Gibson will be encouraged to warm up more readily to his current world.
Update 03/04/2024: “Gibson continues to be an agreeable buddy who still needs some time to overcome some overly cautious behavior.”
Gibson continues to be a treasure in his foster home. His foster mom sees signs of a softening in his response to new situations or people, but he still has a way to go.
A recent visitor brought along her Collie who had been in a breeding kennel. Immediately, Gibson was enamored with the Collie and followed her around during the entire visit. His foster mom wishes that he would be as interested in human visitors. Gibson continues to retreat to his safe places when a human visitor arrives. Eventually, his curiosity will overtake his cautious behavior, and Gibson will dart around the new arrival. Safe spots are imperative in Gibson’s world. He has shown a preference for the big bed, his dog beds in the living room, and the sofa with the picture window/sliding door views. When Gibson is at rest in a safe spot, he is an adorable, loving dog who will respond to his foster mom immediately. Gibson has a couple of preferred spots in the backyard that he treats as safe places. If anyone enters through the gate, Gibson will dart away to those spots or run inside for his safe spot. While Gibson is very curious and animated when people come in the backyard, he still retreats and stays out of reach. Once someone is sitting down (inside or outside) he will wander over for a few pets before he takes off again.
Leash walks still bother Gibson. He readily leashes up and does not have to be encouraged to go through the gate. Initially, his tail will be wagging but then it goes half-mast and he starts up with a little panting. When he returns from the walk, he will park himself on the porch and will not come inside for a while. This is Gibson’s way of expressing dissatisfaction with an event. Doorways to the outside are still a challenge. Gibson requires his foster mom to stand clear of the opening before he darts outside or comes back inside. He does come inside much more readily than months ago.
Gibson enjoys romping around the backyard and sees his job as master squirrel clearer. He definitely enjoys having outdoor access throughout the day. Gibson continues to be an agreeable buddy who still needs some time to overcome some overly cautious behavior. His canine companions and the neighborhood kids are devoted to helping him gain more confidence.
Original: “Gibson continues to enjoy his backyard chase sessions with the two young Springers. This helps him run off his anxiety.”
Gibson spent his life in a Virginia breeding kennel with Springer Spaniels and other dogs. His breeder needed to re-home several dogs and reached out to MAESSR for help. Gibson first spent a couple of months in a busy foster home with many canine companions. Then, he moved to a quieter suburban home with several Springer Spaniels and a large fenced backyard to help him make the transition from a frightened kennel dog to confident family dog.
Gibson’s arrival at his second foster home was unique. Prior foster dogs were brought to the fenced backyard for big barking and jumping greetings from the resident dogs. Controlled chaos would ensue for a brief period and the dogs would run up and down the backyard hill until everyone was tired out. As Gibson approached the fence, all of the resident Springers were quiet and staring. Once he was in the backyard, the oldest female Springer approached him and gave him nose kisses. The other dogs followed her lead and quietly went up to Gibson and nuzzled him. They may have sensed that he was a very scared dog, but totally not aggressive. Once Gibson inspected his surroundings, he and the resident male Springer started up a long session of playing tag through the bushes. Once inside the house, the resident cat went up to him right away with no hesitancy. Usually, the cat hides out for a couple of weeks when a new dog arrives.
Gibson continues to enjoy his backyard chase sessions with the two young Springers. This helps him run off his anxiety. He charges out to the backyard whenever the door is opened for him. Getting him back inside is still at challenge. For the first few weeks, his foster mom had to allow about half an hour to coax him inside. Now, Gibson will come in the house as long as his foster mom sits on the sofa. If she is standing near the sliding door, Gibson will not come inside, not even with treats as bribes. When treats are in play, he runs to his dog bed and waits patiently for his foster mom to drop the treat in front of him. This is Gibson’s version of being a good boy.
A few weeks ago, Gibson started short leash walks around the neighborhood with one of his Springer buddies. This was a major event for Gibson. For months, he would not go near the backyard gate and would dig his paws into the ground if his foster mom tried to walk him out of the yard. Now, he will go with her, but he is still very, very nervous about this activity. Gibson hovers next to her with his tail between his legs and his head bowed. Once back home, he stays alongside his foster mom when the leash is removed and walks beside her until they get near the sliding door. Once inside, he runs for his safe dog bed. He is getting used to the leash routine and will continue practicing this necessary skill.
Gibson has a couple of safe spots inside the house now. His foster mom allows him on the sofa and the bed. Gibson would not go on the bed at all until a month ago. He would sleep on a dog bed or an ottoman at the foot of the bed. Once encouraged to come on the bed, he claimed it as one of his safe spots. He has not wandered into other rooms and stays in the living room/dining room area during the day. He is always near the other dogs.
Gibson has perfect bathroom habits and eats his meals on the porch. If another dog approaches his food bowl, Gibson will walk away and allow the other dog to eat his food. Gibson never challenges the other dogs over treats or food. Gibson waits until everyone is out of the kitchen to venture in and drink from the water bowl. He recently started to step a few feet into the kitchen while his foster mom prepares the dog meals. If she stops to try to pet him, he runs to his safe dog bed.
Gibson will not allow people to stand over him and pet him. A person needs to be sitting on the sofa or ground. Even outside, his foster mom cannot reach out to pet him while she is standing. If she sits on the ground, he readily comes over for pets and attention. Every once in a while, Gibson allows her to reach out and touch his nose or his head, but then he bolts to a safe spot. Gibson has been on a few practice car rides, but he ends up panting and looks uncomfortable, so his foster mom has limited these excursions.
Visitors are thrilled when Gibson walks over to them for attention. He needs a long time to warm up to them, but after a few quick pets Gibson will retreat to his dog bed area safe spot. When the neighbor kids are outside, Gibson will run to the fence to check things out along with the other dogs. Gibson will run back inside if the kids come into the yard. While they can pet him in the house, he is very cautious about outdoor encounters.
Gibson has made some progress in adjusting to household activities. He is not scared of the vacuum cleaner or the lawn mower. His foster mom has groomed him and bathed him a few times since his arrival. This type of activity, while endured, is not enjoyed by Gibson. He will be very guarded and reticent for a few days after anything different is thrown his way. After a recent bath session, Gibson parked himself on the porch and would not come back inside the house for a long time.
Gibson has been left home alone with the other dogs for up to five hours. He is thrilled when his foster mom returns and will greet her with deep barks. Gibson has not shown much interest in dog toys. A few times outside, Gibson was thrilled to play with the tennis ball and would outrun the resident male in games of catch.
The recent snow was a winter wonderland for Gibson. He loved charging up the hill and through the bushes leaving a wake of fresh powder. Even with the snow on the ground, Gibson loves to roll down the hill on his back. Once at the bottom of the hill, he goes back up for another round.
Stay tuned for updates on Gibson as he continues his winter thaw.