Entered: 08/26/2012
Status: Adopted
Age: 4
Color: Black/White
Weight: 59 lbs.
Gender: Altered Male
Location: Manassas Park, VA
Health: UTD, HW-, treatment for Lyme disease and ear and skin infections complete, losing to a healthy weight
Temperament: Good with people over the age of five, good with dogs, good with cats
Original:
Unfortunately for Jake and his sister Maggie XXXII, their owner has been dealing with some serious medical issues of her own and decided that her beloved dogs were not getting the attention they needed from her. So, she made the emotional decision to put them in MAESSR’s care.
Jake is a total love bug who was raised with his sister Maggie, so he quickly bonded with the resident female Springer in his foster home. He definitely follows her lead and is desperately trying to figure out why she gets so excited when she sees a squirrel!
A typical Velcro Springer, Jake follows his foster mom everywhere. He seems particularly concerned that there might be a secret exit from the bathroom or bedroom, and will cry if he is shut him out of either room. There is no such concept as privacy in Jake’s mind! This sweetie is not just a wiggle butt, instead, he wiggles his whole body! How he can walk and wiggle like that is a total mystery to his foster mom, but it’s too cute to resist!
Although Jake spent a great deal of time in a crate in his original home, he toppled three different crates and pushed through the baby gate during his first night in MAESSR’s care, so his foster mom gave him the run of the house. His house manners are a work in progress. There have been a few accidents, although to be fair, these all happened before he learned how to use the dog door! Jake does not signal when he needs to go out, which may be the result of living in a crate for the majority of his life. Jake pants a lot, and will try to nudge his people with an open mouth for attention. Although he’s not mouthy and he does not chew, Jake is learning that he needs to close his mouth if he wants attention. Jake doesn’t beg, but he excels at counter-surfing! He’s even taught the resident female to counter-surf his first day in his foster home, leaving his foster mother to shake her head and wonder why dogs learn the bad habits so quickly! His foster mother admits she lost the furniture battle. Every time she sat down, Jake just slowly and sweetly climbed up next to her to snuggle. His foster grandmother gave in first, the dog sitter caved in second, and his foster mother simply decided not to fight any more. Jake loves to sleep on the sofa and the bed, and will curl up there with the resident female.
Jake loves his walkies! Don’t say the word W-A-L-K, though, unless you are ready to go! If Jake feels any tension on the leash at all, he will slow down. When he meets people on a walk, he is shy, but if you talk for a bit, he will warm up to his new friend. Jake loves to ride in the car and will hop right in when asked if he wants to go for a ride. Commands are a work in progress, too. Right now, his foster mother is focusing on “sit” and “come.”
Jake loves, Loves, LOVES people food! If people food is not coming his way, he prefers canned food over dry, and he is slow to take dog treats, sniffing them thoroughly as if to make sure they aren’t poison! He is in no way food aggressive and can be easily redirected to another food bowl. His foster mother has had no trouble removing inappropriate foods from his mouth or getting him to take his medicine. A little hot dog goes a long way with Jake!
Receiving an A+ from both the vet and the groomer, Jake’s behavior was absolutely perfect. During nail clipping, ear cleaning, blood draws, and even checking his prostate, Jake was calm and quiet. As long as you pet this boy, he will let you do anything at all!
Toys are a total enigma for Jake; he has no idea what to do with them. He does engage in running, chasing, and tussling with the resident female. But when she brings him a toy, he just looks at his foster mom as if to say, “It’s not food, so what’s the big deal?” His energy level is low to moderate, due in part to his weight. As the weight comes off, his foster mother expects his energy level to become normal for a young Springer.
Jake wants to be loved. He is desperate to please and to receive affection. If you asked Jake, he would tell you that he would be most comfortable in a home with another dog so that he always has companionship. He needs a family that is committed to providing him with a quality diet and plenty of exercise so that he can attain a healthy weight.
Give Jake plenty of affection, and he will make you the center of his whole world!