Entered: 06/11/2014
Status: Adopted
Age: 8 months
Color: Liver/White
Weight: 22 lbs.
Gender: Altered Female
Location: King George, VA
Health: UTD, HW-, gaining to a healthy weight, building muscle tone with exercise, overall good health
Temperament: Initially cautious but good with adults and young teens (younger unknown), good with other dogs, appears to ignore cats
Original: “Running around the yard and exploring all of the new wonders with her foster siblings is a joyful experience for her.”
When a kennel in Maryland closed, MAESSR was able to step in to help find forever homes for the dogs, which included the young pup, Guliana. Her name is one often given to Italian nobility – just imagine a petite, dainty Italian princess! She is quickly becoming the darling of her foster family.
Little Miss Guliana has a very sweet disposition although she gets overwhelmed quickly due to her lack of socialization. Just as quickly, however, she warms up to new situations. Her instinct is to pull back when meeting new people or dogs; her foster parents have seen absolutely no sign of any sort of aggressive behavior. As she gains confidence in her surroundings, Guliana’s timidity has lessened; her foster family is sure this will continue in her forever home. Although the youngest person she has encountered is a young teenager, her foster mom suspects that she could safely live in a home with a child over 5 years old since Guliana is small and somewhat low-key for a young pup.
In her foster home, Guiliana is quickly learning to play with the resident Springer Spaniels, ages 2 and 9. She gets along well with both dogs and loves running around and playing with her 2 year old foster brother, despite her lack of experience with canine play. As would any puppy, she finds jumping around and chasing her brother to be a fun sport. Running around the yard and exploring all of the new wonders with her foster siblings is a joyful experience for her. It’s possible that Guliana could share a home with a cat, too, since she was unimpressed with the resident cat at the veterinary clinic. She paid absolutely no attention to him other than a cursory glance.
During her vet visit, Guliana sniffed around the waiting room and loved the attention from the vet techs. She patiently sat while the vet completed the examination, including the blood work and vaccinations. The vet indicated that her muscle tone was lacking, but was confident it would improve with the regular exercise she’s now receiving. She’s also underweight, so her foster family is providing the nutrition she needs to reach a healthy weight. While this little girl gobbles up her food very quickly, she allows her foster parents to take her bowl away and even put a hand in it while she’s eating. Treats are also consumed quickly, but only after taking them very gently from the hand that offers them.
Because she lived in an outdoor kennel her whole life, Guliana is not housetrained but her foster family is working on it. Being a typical puppy, she sometimes forgets to do her “business” when outside, preferring to run around and sniff all of the wonderful new smells. Her family keeps close tabs on her indoors and once she starts sniffing around she is taken outside. She is extremely smart and her foster family believes that she will catch on very quickly. Guliana is crate trained but, because someone is home all day, she is only crated at night and when the family is not at home. She cries and barks a little when first crated but then settles down. Each night she is settling in easier and quicker.
As soon as she feels comfortable with a person, Guliana loves to be petted. She will jump up for attention in her excitement to see her human so her foster family is teaching her proper Springer behavior. She’s becoming versed in other good manners, as well. Guliana is somewhat of a ninja when it comes to counter-surfing. Her foster family cannot believe that such a little thing could jump so high and so quickly! An exposed trash can also is fair game for her. With a regular feeding schedule and correction, this behavior should subside.
Because the sofa looked so comfy, Guliana tried to jump up on it a few times. She has learned that she is only allowed on the “doggie sofa.” She hasn’t chewed anything inappropriate in her foster home. On one occasion she sniffed a pair of shoes but when she was told, “NO,” she left them alone and has not bothered them since. Guliana has stuffed chew toys and synthetic bones to satisfy her puppy chewing. She’s a little curious about squeaky toys, but not sure what to do when they make noise. She doesn’t mind if the humans or the other dogs take away her toys. What a good girl!
Guliana has had no previous training, but she is learning to come when called. Her family also is working on “sit” prior to receiving treats or going outside. She’s had no previous leash experience and is learning how to go on walks, too. She loves to go outside and explore, so walks are fun. When walking with the other dogs, she tries to keep up with them. While she doesn’t pull, she may need to be reminded to continue walking since she becomes so engrossed in all the new sights and smells. If she meets other people and dogs while walking, Guliana is initially shy but does not cringe. Once a human rubs her belly or ears, she just melts and loves the attention.
Her puppy fur is too short for grooming, so she has not yet visited a professional groomer. She’s been great for her home grooming, however. She loves baths and the massage she gets when the shampoo is lathered. She doesn’t mind having her feet or toes touched and ear cleaning doesn’t faze Guliana. In fact, if her ears are massaged, she’s in heaven!
Very quiet during car rides, Guliana is content to sit in the back seat and look out the window. She also rides very well in the crate.
Although she is a puppy, Guliana does not have the high energy level that often goes with her young age. Being underweight, she tires easily. It is anticipated, however, that her energy level will increase somewhat once she is at her optimal weight and becomes more accustomed to people and other animals. Please note that MAESSR only places puppies in homes that are committed to training and bonding with the pup in obedience classes. Puppies require a lot of care, attention, and patience, and they do chew on things! The decision to get a puppy and raise it to be a healthy, happy, and well-adjusted dog is a serious commitment. To reinforce this commitment, MAESSR requires all adopters of dogs under 1 year old to enroll their puppy in obedience classes within 60 days of adoption. Guliana would benefit greatly from these classes which will strengthen her bond with her new family.
Because she has a wonderful temperament and is a little on the quieter side, Guliana would be an excellent candidate for an adult household that would like a younger dog. She also could be a terrific companion for a child. Since Guliana is still learning how to interact with humans, children older than 5 would be best. Do you have it in your heart to share your love and home with sweet Guliana? By giving her the guidance she needs to become the best Springer she can be, you’ll have a terrific companion for life.