Entered: 10/24/2014
Status: Adopted
Age: 1
Color: Liver/White
Weight: 45 lbs.
Gender: Altered Male
Location: Goochland, VA
Health: UTD, HW-, benefiting from a low dose anxiety medication, overall good health
Temperament: Good with people as young as 8, would probably accidentally knock over younger children, good with other dogs, unknown with cats
Update 12/16/2014:“If you’re ready to pick up where his foster family will be leaving off, you couldn’t pick a better youngster than Gunner!”
Gunner returned from his adoptive home due to his anxiety, possibly stemming from too many changes all at once. With his return to MAESSR, Gunner went to a foster family that has extensive experience in working with dogs with anxiety. A quick trip to the vet for added assessment and Gunner started taking an inexpensive anxiety medication. His foster mom has started to see changes already. Hopefully Gunner will soon be able to relax enough to enjoy his world and a new family.
To assure that Gunner continues his progress during transition to an adopting home, his forever family will be required to keep him on this medication for at least six months after adoption. MAESSR will also be requiring that his adopting family complete 2 series of obedience classes within six months of adopting him. This will hasten bonding between Gunner and his new family and ensure that Gunner continues to practice being a good boy.
Comments from his previous adoptive family are being shared to round out his story: “He is a quick learner and eager to go places. On his walks he likes to carry an object in his mouth, a toy, a crushed water bottle, etc. He will go in the crate nicely by just showing him a treat. He will go in and settle down quietly. He loves the car! We are going to really miss his funny personality and loving ways.”
With additional time in foster care, his daily med assist, some ongoing training and lots of lovins and exercise, Gunner should transition into his next adopting home with less worry and a wiggle in his butt. If you’re ready to pick up where his foster family will be leaving off, you couldn’t pick a better youngster than Gunner!
Original: “He was being trained to hunt pheasant and will always return when he hears 2 short whistles – even when he’s out of sight.”
Gunner lived with his elderly Pennsylvania owners since he was a pup. The wife recently had an accident which resulted in a compound broken leg and a long stay in the hospital, followed by weeks of rehabilitation. Gunner’s owners came to the sad but realistic decision that an active, energetic Springer puppy would not help her recuperation. So, Gunner has become a MAESSR boy!
Without a mean bone in his body, Gunner has never shown any aggressive behavior towards people or animals. He enjoyed playing with the 8 and 10 year old grandsons in his original family but was a little too much for the 6 year old granddaughter. Although he had only been around other dogs occasionally when walking, he has been good with the resident dogs in his foster home. He has not been exposed to cats.
For a young guy, Gunner’s house manners are quite good. He is already housetrained and crate trained and has access to the living room, dining room and kitchen in his foster home. At night he sleeps in his crate with the door open. He knows to chew just on toys and sticks. Although he is not a barker, Gunner does jump up on people in greeting. He does not beg for food or counter-surf. Good boy, Gunner! In the yard, he respects the boundary of the fence and does not try jumping it. He will dig in the yard, though.
Gunner has had puppy level training and knows “sit,” “outside,” “truck” (for getting into the truck for a ride), and “go take a nap.” Gunner will pull some on the leash but can be trusted off leash. He was being trained to hunt pheasant and will always return when he hears 2 short whistles – even when he’s out of sight. He loved to ride in the passenger seat of the truck in his original home. Please note that even at 1 year, Gunner is still a puppy and 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! 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 a 1 year old and younger to enroll their puppy in obedience classes within 60 days of adoption. Gunner will be a star pupil!
This puppy is full of energy and loves to play fetch with a ball, swim, and run in the fields.
If your active family is ready to accept the responsibility of raising a beautiful, high energy Springer puppy, please consider adopting Gunner!