Entered: 10/03/2018
Status: Adopted
Age: 5
Color: Liver/White
Weight: 40 lbs.
Gender: Altered Male
Location: Silver Spring, MD
Health: UTD, HW-, continuing with a non-prescription calming tablet, attained a healthy weight, treatment for worms complete
Temperament: Shy and submissive with adults (children unknown), raised with other dogs but retreats from strange dogs, unknown with cats
Updated 11/29/2018: “Jack is a wonderful example of how patience and love allows a dog to learn that life can be full of fun.”
Jack is a far different dog than the skinny, cowering one that entered foster care several weeks ago. In fact, one neighbor asked if sleek, heads-up Jack was a new dog.
Jack’s progress toward being the true Springer that he is can be seen in these changes:
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Instead of huddling in his corner all day, Jack now loves to go outside. The backyard is his kingdom, and he patrols it regularly to run off those pesky squirrels and rabbits. Full of energy and fun, he often runs zoomies from end to end. Asked if he wants to go for a walk, he wags his way to the door and sits to have his leash put on.
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Instead of peeing at the sight of strangers on the street, Jack will veer toward them, sure that they will magically produce treats for him. He will take treats from the hand of all he meets. He was comfortable enough with holiday house guests to walk around and inspect them for potential treats.
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Instead of having to be lifted into the car, Jack now jumps into the back seat and settles down. Credit goes to the $1 burgers at the local drive-thru for this change!
In addition, Jack has overcome his concerns about what might lie at the top or bottom of stairs and now follows his foster mom from floor to floor. He is expanding his vocabulary (e.g., “car,” “walk,” “treat”) and his trick repertoire. He loves to be brushed and towel-dried from a wet walk in the rain. His favorite time is stretched out in his foster mom’s lap. He shows no separation anxiety and rarely barks.
Jack is still hampered by his biggest fear – that of new people, particularly men. Although his foster dad can hold the leash on walks, he remains cautious around him. To help Jack understand that many people can be kind, he will be spending a few days with a male MAESSR volunteer while his foster mom is out of town.
Jack is a wonderful example of how patience and love allows a dog to learn that life can be full of fun. For that one special person who could take the time to build his trust, Jack would be an affectionate and playful dog. Might you be Jack’s new best friend?
Updated 10/24/2018: “Jack is most comfortable in the backyard where his true Springer comes out. He runs happy laps and may fetch a toy!”
Jack has taken many, many baby steps in the past 2 weeks as he has become more confident in his environment. He has become firmly attached to his foster mom who is retired and can spend long days with him. One evening, he surprised both of them by climbing into her lap, quivering for a moment, and then settling in. Lap-sitting is now his nightly routine for TV viewing.
He remains cautious around his tall foster dad, who goes off to work each day. The treatment for this has been to make the foster dad the supreme deliverer of breakfast and dinner. The dad also dispenses the best treats of the day when he comes home. Slow and gentle is doing the trick. Jack no longer waits for his foster dad to clear the feeding area to eat and will allow the dad to pet him while Jack’s in the mom’s lap.
A big step forward is that Jack no longer pees in fear around his foster parents and some visitors. An important note is that Jack has never deliberately gone to the bathroom in the house, but waits to do his business on his walks. He does still squat if strangers come too close on his walks.
Most of Jack’s socialization occurs on his three daily walks. Again, he has taken many baby steps. Although he rolls on his back at the sight of a leash, he has become a different dog outside. Instead of trailing behind his foster mom, Jack is starting to lead. He has begun the normal doggy behaviors of sniffing and showing interest in other dogs and squirrels. His tail is out and wagging most of the time. He is beginning to look at people on the street since so many of them seem to produce treats to toss in his direction. Jack is most comfortable in the backyard where his true Springer comes out. He runs happy laps and may fetch a toy!
Jack’s foster mom is now working to expand Jack’s safe space beyond the kitchen/family room. This will be an important step in his development as it will hopefully make him less frightened of visitors who tend to congregate in the same space.
Jack is not a dog that asks for much. One gentle person, a safe space, and short walks may be all that he would wish for in a new home. Keep posted on this handsome guy’s continuing trip toward a forever home.
Original: “Jack’s journey to his forever home may take a while as he takes many baby steps toward the joyful, playful Springer he should be.”
Jack, Libra, and Bree entered MAESSR foster care when their Maryland owner’s chronic illness made him unable to care for them any longer. Due to the long-term nature of the owner’s illness, the dogs have only had limited socialization and training.
When he first arrived at his foster home, it was clear that everything was new and scary for him, from walking on a leash to walking on grass. Within the first week, he cautiously advanced from freezing in place to walking to the end of the front walk to circling the block. He also stopped urinating submissively while being leashed. Although raised as part of a pack, Jack backs away from dogs he sees on his walk as well as from groups of people.
A very gentle soul, Jack is just grateful for a good scratch. His foster mom can play with his ears and feet and pet him while he eats. He is crate trained and sleeps in his crate at night. When his foster mom is home during the day, he is allowed to roam a large gated area. He is content to lie quietly by her chair, but may give her an occasional nudge for attention. Although he isn’t housetrained, well-timed walks have prevented any house accidents. Since living inside is new to him, strange appliance noises still cause him to retreat.
Eating is when Jack’s energetic nature comes out. His ears perk, his tail wags wildly, and he dances with anticipation. The sound of the refrigerator door opening is cause for celebration—and disappointment when food for him is not forthcoming. His foster mom learned the sad way not to leave food too near the edge of the counter as Jack was never taught that counter-surfing is a no-no. She was amused when he went into a perfect three-point stance to point turkey cold cuts. Food may be less of a focus once Jack gains some badly needed weight, which should follow his worm treatment.
Jack was a trooper at his first vet visit. Clearly frightened, he still allowed the vet to give him a physical and needed shots without any sign of aggression. He hasn’t been to a groomer’s yet, but he endured a bath from his foster mom as soon as he arrived.
Jack does not know any commands, nor is he familiar with toys and playtime. He has not chewed inappropriately or tried to get on the furniture. He has to be lifted into the car, but settles quickly and quietly into the rear passenger seat. In his future, obedience training for Jack would be a good investment for his forever family.
Jack is a work in progress. He clearly wants to please and be loved. Treats will be a powerful motivation in moving Jack’s behavior forward. Jack’s journey to his forever home may take a while as he takes many baby steps toward the joyful, playful Springer he should be. He will need more exposure to the world and the people in it before his foster parents can recommend the best placement for him.
Watch for more on Jack as he acclimates to his new world and grows in confidence.