Hunter 15

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Original:  “Hunter is one of the sweetest, most even-tempered and well-behaved dogs his foster mom has ever met.”

Hunter came to MAESSR when his Pennsylvania owners expressed concern that Hunter didn’t like the attention of their 1-1/2 year-old twins, nor their crawling on him.  He had growled at them and pinned one down, but never bit or hurt them. He was living with two other male dogs, and in the past when he was younger, lived with little children successfully.  He absolutely LOVES people and was very protective of his own.

Hunter has been very well-trained.  He walks well on leash, is housetrained, and is good in the home.  He knows and responds beautifully to general commands such as “sit,” “lie down,” “come,” “give paw” (both), and “high-fives” (both paws.) Hunter loves to play with his toys – especially his duck and pheasant. He was trained to hunt but hasn’t done so in recent years. He loves ducks and riding in a boat, camping out, and the general outdoors. In his foster home he especially enjoys walks, both in town on the sidewalk and on the boardwalk and beach.

This sweet guy loves to cuddle on the couch or wants to be at his person’s feet – which is where he sleeps on his foster mom’s bed at night. Hunter is not crate trained; he broke out of every type of crate tried and hurt himself in the process. In his former home he enjoyed his status as top dog and was very protective of his food with the other dogs present. When on leash, he steps back and growls at dogs he doesn’t know.

Hunter is very happy to go for a ride in the car (or truck) and very willingly hops in.  However, since being fostered, he’s shown a great deal of anxiety – panting, whining, and pacing on the backseat as far as the harness allows. Currently Hunter resides with his foster mom; he has met all of her grandchildren (youngest 13) and loves them all. He was indifferent to their cat after some initial uncertainty, but did not get along with their dog…..another one who wanted to “be in charge.”

When Hunter wants to go out, he will signal either by whining at the door or furiously licking his person’s hand (or face if that’s close by.) He has never had an accident in the house. Because he’s not crate trained, he was gated in the kitchen when his foster mom went out, but chewed a tubular bottom-of-the-door winter insulator and pushed aside window candles to the floor – obviously trying to find her. Since that incident, he’s been allowed full run of the house, with some articles of clothing worn by her left on the couch and bed. This seems to be a better choice as there has been no further damage. He has absolutely no other bad habits and has wonderful house manners…no counter-surfing, trash scavenging, or chewing inappropriate articles (except for the one incident.) He does love to hang out on the couch and bed, ignoring a doggie bed provided for him.

During his vet visit Hunter was found to be Lyme positive and is receiving treatment. He also was diagnosed with lenticular sclerosis of his eyes. This is considered a normal change in the lens associated with aging, and is observed as a cloudiness or bluish discoloration on the pupil. Other than that, Hunter appears to be in excellent health, especially so for a dog 10 years old.  His foster mom has no experience with Hunter and grooming, as his former owner had him beautifully groomed just prior to release. He loves to be brushed and was a perfect patient at the vet…although anxious. Hunter is one of the sweetest, most even-tempered and well-behaved dogs his foster mom has ever met. Everyone who’s met him has fallen in love.  However, she would recommend Hunter be in an “only dog home,” perhaps with an older couple, single person, or family with older children who respect dogs. A home where he can be showered with love and attention is where Hunter will thrive.