Entered: 12/07/2019
Status: Adopted
Age: 1; born 12/14/2018
Color: Red/White
Weight: 32 lbs.
Gender: Altered Female
Location: Silver Spring, MD
Health: UTD, HW-, receiving medication to assist with life transition, overall good health
Temperament: Good with adults, raised (but not tested) with children, fearful of other dogs, will chase cats
Update 02/06/2020: “She also will sit-stay while her foster mom talks to another person with a dog also in sit-stay.”
Harley is doing very well in her obedience class. Part of the class is socialization. Harley (sometimes with a treat incentive) will heel while walking past and around other dogs. She also will sit-stay while her foster mom talks to another person with a dog also in sit-stay. She has been so brave as to sniff a few butts.
Harley is ready for her forever family. The ideal setting would be a yard with room to run and a 4-foot secure fence. She is quite the gymnast, capable of clearing a 3-foot fence. Harley and Avery have shown a joint interest in chasing the wildlife in the neighbor’s yard. Both, however, have good recall and return quickly when called. It is highly unlikely that Harley will be so brave to explore outside the yard without her partner in crime.
The ideal family also will have a family member with a strong pitching arm. Harley loves to chase tennis balls and actually returns them! Are you ready for spring ball?
Update 01/15/2020: “Although she is learning some basic commands, the goal is for Harley to be comfortable around new people and pups.”
Harley is a gentle, loving soul that just wants attention. She now will take treats from people on the street, but is initially cautious with new visitors inside the house. She doesn’t bark at strangers, but waits for them to sit down before she approaches to check them over. It doesn’t take very long before she offers them a slobbery tennis ball to throw. She can launch herself into an empty lap like a missile!
Harley appears to be housetrained. Although she doesn’t signal her need to go out, she has only had one accident in the house during the last month. Her submissive urination is decreasing. She is still a counter-surfer and is just tall enough to paw items off. A clap of the hands is all it takes to make her put all four paws on the floor. She just gives a sheepish, but unrepentant wiggle and wags her tail.
A high energy girl, Harley likes to play with littermate Avery for hours a day. They run, wrestle, and play tug until they’re happily tired and possibly dirty. Her foster mom had to give her a mild sedative to help her endure the one week of restricted activity post-spaying.
Harley remains fearful of other dogs, sometimes barking while going backwards or just pulling away. Her foster mom has started to take her to the local dog park to observe dogs as they enter and exit. To build a positive association, Harley gets a treat each time a dog passes her by. Harley also has started a very small obedience class so she will regularly encounter new people and dogs despite winter weather. Although she is learning some basic commands, the goal is for Harley to be comfortable around new people and pups. Her foster mom would really like her to pull less on the leash. In a neighborhood teaming with squirrels and birds, this is quite a challenge.
This is a dog for someone who wants a good walk before binging on TV with a dog on the lap.
Update 12/27/2019: “Harley quickly warmed up to treat-dispensing guests, and made good use of empty laps.”
Harley (and littermate Avery) had an eventful holiday season. First it was the tree, with all of its intriguing smells and ornaments. The two found the addition of a pine-flavored water bowl particularly enticing. They were very disappointed when the tree was gated off.
Next the crowds of visitors came along with one small dog. Harley quickly warmed up to treat-dispensing guests, and made good use of empty laps. However, two very excited and active preschoolers frightened her and she was crated for everyone’s well-being. The visiting dog also proved too intimidating, causing Harley to growl and retreat behind legs.
Harley is making progress with loose leash walking and housetraining. Other than some submissive urination (there were 15 dinner guests over two nights and five overnight guests!), there have been no puddle problems. Harley does her business as soon as she is taken outside and runs to her foster mom for the earned treat. The final step is for Harley to learn how to ask to go out when needed. She has nearly mastered the “down” command. She also is less demanding of attention now, particularly during mealtimes. Treats are a powerful motivator.
Harley is currently receiving a medication to reduce anxiety as she makes the huge transition to a life full of new people, pets, and urban experiences. Her spay surgery is scheduled for the near future. Stay tuned for more news.
Original: “Harley is the more energetic of the two as well as the most eager for attention.”
Harley and littermate Avery came to MAESSR when their Pennsylvania owners felt overwhelmed by five dogs and four young children. With so much going on, the family had little time to train or socialize the two pups outside of their home, so they reluctantly parted with them. Both pups, however, quickly bonded with their new foster parents. It only took a day before the pups started launching themselves into an empty lap from any direction. Despite their small size, they can spring!
Harley is used to being crated for most of the time. She goes easily into her crate when told to “kennel” and sleeps peacefully in the crate at night. She also is crated when the foster parents are out of the home. Housetraining is a work in progress. Harley leaves trash cans, shoes, and most household objects alone, but odd items that can be turned into a tug toy with her sibling (like a feather duster) are in danger. She does counter-surf by trying to drag items off with her paw. Needless to say, this is a discouraged behavior.
This little girl knows “sit” and “come.” She is quiet rider in the car, which is a new experience for her. She strongly pulls on the leash, but less so if she is not in competition with Avery. Harley is nervous around new dogs and people and may submissively urinate when confronted by either. Given her young age and natural affection for people, this problem should disappear with more socialization. She did well with overnight guests and even sought out their attention the next morning. During her first checkup, the vet could handle her all over without any aggression on her part and Harley was comfortable enough to take a treat. She has not been to a groomers.
Harley loves to chase balls and to run and tumble with her sister. Stuffed animals are rapidly disemboweled. She easily shares toys, bowls, and people with Avery. Harley is the more energetic of the two as well as the most eager for attention. More is yet to be learned about this little girl.
Harley’s first birthday was Dec. 14. She is still a puppy, so 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 one year old and younger to enroll their puppy in obedience classes within 60 days of adoption. Harley will be a good student!
Patience, continuing socialization, and a welcoming lap will make this petite Springer into a treasured companion.