Grady

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Updated 3/3/2007: Grady has returned to MAESSR because he was a bit too mouthy when playing with the four-year-old child in his adopting home and was too timid around visitors. The family felt that such a great dog needed a home more suited to his needs. Grady is now living with two children, ages 7 and 9, and two female springers, ages 1 ½ and 3, and has settled in nicely.

When outside, Grady is a very active, playful springer. He enjoys being part of a pack. He seems at perfect ease when outdoors running with the dogs. They run hard and fast all around the yard like they are in a dog race, finally plopping down exhausted with tongues hanging and big smiles on their faces. When not playing “I’m going to get you,” Grady will be chasing birds, sliding on the frozen snow, rolling in the soft snow and smelling to his heart’s content. It’s almost like he’s reading the morning news of what critters passed through the yard during the night. He loves being outside so much that he doesn’t always want to come in when called, so a fenced yard is important for his safety. His foster mom is working with him on recall.

Grady is also a playful springer indoors, enjoying a game of tug with the Wubba, playing with the dogs, tossing balls and the Kong and having a chew. He really likes his human to toss the ball across the floor and play with him but also squeezes, tosses and throws the ball alone. Grady is learning that he needs to drop the ball for the fun to continue.

This very sweet, loving guy is one who happens to be timid. It takes him awhile to grow accustomed to new things and new people. He originally defined a safety zone as the kitchen/family room area in his foster home and has moved outside the zone slowly and carefully, retreating back when necessary. Every day he gets more comfortable and expands the zone– but no small rooms like bathrooms, closets or laundry rooms. When he first arrived, he decided the sofa was the safe place (a MAESSR no-no) and was gently guided off, only to return when no one was looking. He now is following his foster mom around the house more and lying by her.

Grady has met a few visitors in his foster home so far and needs some work to become comfortable with strangers. Visitors are being asked to completely turn their backs to Grady and let him approach when he’s ready. This calming signal seems to make new people less threatening. He has plans to visit his foster mom’s office and a pet store before too long.

Grady is currently crated when his foster mom goes out and sometimes at night, though neither is necessary since he doesn’t get into anything or leave unwanted presents. He eats slowly but finishes everything. Grady’s foster mom has picked, pulled, prodded, poked and touched him all over and takes his food away all without any problem. The groomer reported that he was fine with his haircut, but like many, he just didn’t like the nail clip.

When the time comes for Grady to meet another adopting family, it will need to be one without young kids, since kids squealing and running stimulates a chase instinct. In his foster home when the kids realize he’s chasing them, they stop moving and tell him to stop which he usually does. His foster mom supervises Grady’s interaction with the kids and distracts and redirects him. Since Grady has a big exercise tank that needs to be used up daily, another young, playful dog and a fenced yard would be great. If Grady’s new family didn’t have a dog, they would need to make sure he got the opportunity to run several times a day as a walk isn’t exercise for this fine athlete. His owners must be patient and have time to work and play with him, especially for the first few weeks. The family that spends the time Grady needs will get an affectionate, lively, and devoted friend for life. If you’ve been thinking that you need to get more fun back in your life, Grady is your man.

Original: Grady’s previous owners turned him in to a shelter because they said they didn’t have enough time for him. Thanks to MAESSR and a host of volunteers, Grady was moved to a foster family that is helping him re-acclimate to being a full-time family member. Within a short time, Grady overcame his initial shyness and insecurity and warmed up to his foster parents, showing his emerging charms. He loves to sit in his foster mom’s lap and have her brush him. In fact, he flies into her lap like a 45-pound cat! After a few pounces, his foster mom started to teach him to wait for an invitation. Grady is always up for a walk, a game of fetch or tug-of-war, or a play session with the neighbor’s dog. He adores children and will approach them for attention.

Grady has several quirky behaviors that are quite endearing. When his foster mom observed him repeatedly trying to climb into a large bucket of water, she filled up a kiddie pool– much to his delight. Grady’s idea of a perfect start to the day is a brisk walk followed by a cool dip. He also likes to chase his tail as well as birds that fly across the sky. In addition, Grady likes to sing (aka howl) along whenever he hears sirens. He was a wonderful sound effect on Halloween!

Grady has had some obedience training. He sits, stays, and kennels up immediately on command with no lures needed. He waits calmly to have his leash put on and does not bolt out the door, although he will pull on the leash at the beginning of a walk. On his walk, Grady happily greets every new dog. He plays well with visiting dogs. He wants to go with his people everywhere and jumps and spins when he thinks he will be included. He rides very well in the car. He stretches out in the back seat and doesn’t try to come up front. He waits patiently to be told he can come out rather than bolt as soon as the car door opens.

He doesn’t counter-surf but will beg when food is being consumed away from the table. Also, he is learning that beds are not for him. Grady is fully crate-trained. However, since he is so good in the house, with no chewing or potty accidents, his foster family has been leaving him out of his crate during the workday. At night, a single “kennel up” will send him obediently into his crate.

Initially, Grady was afraid of many household sounds. His foster family is helping him to learn that coffee grinders and beeping microwaves are not personal threats. He leaves the kitchen when it gets too noisy. Due to bad mats on his head and ears, Grady’s foster mom reluctantly shaved off his lovely, but tangled curls. To her surprise, while she clipped him with an electric clipper, he stretched out on his towel with a look of pure pleasure! She had no problems handling his ears, feet, or tail. The rest of his coat is fairly short so, with regular brushing, he won’t need much professional grooming.

Because Grady is initially timid around new adults and loud sounds, he will need a family that will be patient with him while he adjusts to his new home. His playful and sweet personality will come out with such an opportunity. Make this sweet guy a member of your family and you’ll have to hang one more stocking for Christmas!!