Jackson 5

---

Update 07/21/11:

Jackson was returned to MAESSR when his family decided that they could not give him what he needed. He was described as possibly being dog aggressive. He has disproven that in his foster home, where he is currently living very successfully with 20 dogs of all sizes, ranging from a 10 pound poodle to a 90 pound hound mix. His foster family’s assessment of Jackson is that he was initially anxious over everything. When another dog approached, he would bark and act like a big bad dog, hoping that the other dog would go away. His foster mom has worked with his vet to begin him on an inexpensive medication for anxiety. Already Jackson’s foster mom is seeing small improvements. Jackson will now go out into the yard for a few minutes by himself, without panicking because no one is with him. 

Currently Jackson weighs 70 pounds and needs to lose at least 15. It is felt that low thyroid levels are at least part of the reason this boy is so overweight. His thyroid levels have been tested; when the results are back, they can be adjusted with an inexpensive daily medication. 

Jackson is house-trained and has good house manners. He is currently trusted with free run of the house, although he has been crated in the past without issue. He doesn’t have separation anxiety but is gun-shy. Jackson is good in the car and loves to play fetch. He knows basic commands, such as sit, stay, and down. Jackson is good with cats and kids and has a bright future. His new beginning is underway. Please keep an eye on this handsome boy’s progress…

Update 06/08/08:

Jackson continues to thrive. He’s been with his foster family for a month and they can now see how wonderful he would be in a forever home. He’s totally comfortable in the house…in fact, sometimes too comfortable. He’s decided a particular chair in the living room is the perfect place to watch the world go by. He always gets off when asked but seems to forget being on the furniture is not allowed in the foster home. He has also decided cuddling on the bed is a wonderful activity for this lover-boy. Again, he gets off without any trouble. He continues to sleep in his crate at night without any problems. In a forever home, Jackson would be very reliable with full run of the house but he is crated in his foster home to help him remember crates are good places to be. He is no longer barking when left alone in his crate. 

Jackson is very polite to all people he meets. He does not jump up on people and, after a quick sniff and a pat, he generally ignores them. He’s very popular with everyone in the neighborhood. He still gets excited when people come to the house but quickly settles down. He would be a great dog to alert his forever family to people coming to the house.

With regular exercise, the games of fetch have slowed down. He’s still up for a good romp outside with the #1 toy, the red ball, but the games are quickly over…..particularly now that it’s gotten hot outside. He is always ready for a walk or a car ride and is good with both. 

This boy will truly be a wonderful addition to any family. He’s not having any grumbles with dogs he meets; in fact, he even attempted to initiate play with one particularly small dog. However, he will still be happier as an only dog.

Update 05/20/08:

Jackson has been keeping very busy of late. He started with a shopping trip! He perused all the toys in the large pet store and carefully selected a toy he already has and loves. This time he chose a different color, red! Now nothing will do but the red toy. It’s the most fun to toss in the air and catch, retrieve when his foster mom or dad throws it outside, and it’s just a good toy to munch on in the house. If you look at Jackson’s pictures, you see him on his back, playing with the green toy, now relegated to #2. Red is much better!

He spent a night in the boarding kennel and was reported to be very good. His foster mom had told the kennel staff that Jackson was reported to be dog aggressive. Upon retrieving him the staff reported Jackson totally ignored all the other silly dogs that were barking their heads off. He was quiet and somewhat subdued – who wouldn’t be with all that racket? Jackson has also lost a few pounds.

Once home Jackson had a good rest and then it was time for his first bath at his foster home. While it can’t be said he was thrilled with it, he behaved very well. He even allowed his foster mom to trim a few nails and brush his teeth which he liked very much. Of course, after a bath, everyone knows what happens next – a good grooming. That was done by Jackson’s foster mom. He was the perfect client on the grooming table. He didn’t mind the noise of the clippers on his face, ears, and paws. He was not happy with clipping his tail but didn’t cause any trouble. With Jackson’s short coat, he’s a good candidate for home grooming.

After all this work, there was time for games! Out came the red toy for a brisk game of fetch. Jackson is quite proficient with this game and is considered reliable off lead for play. He is just a loveable, goofy boy who is looking for a forever home. 

Are you ready for Action Jackson?

Original:

Jackson was surrendered to MAESSR because he ceased to get along with the other dogs in the household. He was much loved and well cared for in his previous home but they realized he had no quality of life being separated from the family and other dogs.

After a long transport during which he behaved beautifully, Jackson arrived at his foster home full of energy and curiosity. It took several hours for him to explore every nook and cranny of his new home and he did explore it all! Since then he has settled in very nicely. Jackson has good house manners, is fully house trained, does not get into the kitchen garbage; however, he might steal tissues from bedroom/bathroom trash, although his foster mom hasn’t noticed this since the first day he was arrived. He barks mostly to alert, but he barks quite a bit when his foster parents crate him when they go out. Because of this, he may not be a good candidate for apartment life. He walks well on lead and is generally responsive when off lead. Jackson sleeps in his crate at night to prevent sleeping in the foster parents’ bed. He tries to get on furniture his foster home, but he responds quickly to “off.” Jackson would like to explore the counters, but again, responds quickly to “off.” Neither of these behaviors is a real problem.

This boy loves to play. Balls are a favorite of his and chasing a tennis ball is great fun. He returns it promptly and drops it in your hand or at your feet for another toss. When he tires of it (and he does), he just keeps the ball and goes to the back door. Since he’s had regular exercise, Jackson has settled down a great deal so the games of ball aren’t very long. Jackson is allowed off lead in the unfenced yard at his foster home and is responsive to his name. It was reported he dug under the fence at his previous home. He has shown absolutely no aggression to any human he’s met. He’s met the cat next door and showed just mild curiosity. This was to be expected as he lived with cats in his previous home. Jackson was reported to be aggressive with other dogs in the household over toys and food. His foster home does not have a resident dog. When he met the next-door lab, there was some polite sniffing then he just ignored her. When another leashed female dog began a tussle with him, Jackson protected himself but did no harm. He was immediately calm when his foster mom broke up the tussle. No toys or food were involved with either of these meetings, however. Jackson will be happier as an only dog.

Jackson is a happy boy who loves to be with his people. He’ll be a wonderful addition to a family without small children whom, in his exuberance, he might knock down. Are you ready for some fun? If so, Jackson is your boy.