Entered: 08/31/2024
Status: On Hold
Age: 3; born 02/2021
Color: Liver/White
Weight: 69.5 lbs.
Gender: Altered Male
Location: Salem, NJ
Health: UTD, HW-, overall good health, has begun receiving melatonin to assist with anxiety
Temperament: Good with adults and children, good with other dogs, chases and snaps at cats
Update 11/05/2024: “He no longer gets medicated for car rides but will require more time and training to ride calmly.”
Not much has changed for Jake since he arrived in his foster home. He continues to be a loving, affectionate Springer. Jake will squeeze on the couch between his foster mom and the resident dog in the evening to get some cuddle time.
Jake looks forward to car rides and prefers to sit in the front seat. His nose is constantly pressed against the windows, so on long trips it is necessary to stop occasionally and clean the windows. He no longer gets medicated for car rides but will require more time and training to ride calmly.
Jake still has a major concern about the cats. He spends much time sitting on the back porch to catch a view of the cats, although he doesn’t seem interested in ducks and geese at the foster home.
Despite getting plenty of exercise and play time, Jake still displays anxiety. Recently he began to receive daily melatonin. He will be spending more time at his foster home for further evaluation to help reduce his anxieties.
Jake’s foster family thinks he is awesome! Hopefully they can help Jake learn to relax so he can find his forever home.
Original: “This handsome boy continues to play with a pack of dogs in his new foster home and his foster mom reports he is sharing his toys without any guarding issues.”
Jake was relinquished to MAESSR when his 90+ male owner from Pennsylvania passed away and the 90+ female owner had to go into a nursing home. Jake brought a ton of toys, food and treats along with a bed to his foster home. It was obvious Jake was showered with love. Because Jake lost his owners unexpectedly, he had to be boarded for a month. Jake did very well while at the boarding facility. He was able to play with the other dogs to get the needed exercise a young Springer requires.
This handsome boy continues to play with a pack of dogs in his new foster home and his foster mom reports he is sharing his toys without any guarding issues. Good boy! He enjoys running around in his large fenced-in backyard, playing tug-of-war with another dog or human, chasing his tennis ball, or wrestling with his large jolly ball. He LOVES playing with other dogs! Jake spends a lot of time looking for the cats on the other side of the fence. He does not bark at them; instead, he is patiently waiting for somebody to make a mistake so that he can make his move to get those cats!
Jake’s foster family has a one-year-old toddler and Jake is very good with the little one. In the beginning while the foster parents were getting to know Jake, all they had to say is “NO” when he was too close to the little one. Then, Jake would immediately go in the opposite direction. Foster mom no longer redirects Jake since he shows little interest in the toddler unless he has food. Jake takes treats from the baby’s hand very nicely. Jake passed his Good Citizen Test with The American Kennel Club. Smart boy!
A well-trained Springer, Jake knows the commands “sit,” “down,” “stay,” “leave it,” “come,” “give me your paw,” and thankfully “no.” Jake does not dig in the yard or chew inappropriate items. He does get confused deciding which are his stuffed toys and which are the baby’s stuffed animals.
Jake is housetrained and learned to use the pet door very quickly. He does like a human to go outside with him at night. Foster mom thinks it is the bug zapper that makes Jake unsure.
Since Jake eats very fast, his foster parents got him a busy bowl to slow him down. At first Jake would growl if bothered while eating, so he was put in another room to eat by himself. When he was done, he would let himself out by pushing the barn-style door open with his nose. Currently, he eats with the rest of the dogs and afterward they all switch to make sure the other dogs cleaned up their bowls, with no issues.
Jake is very tall for a Springer. He takes advantage of his height for counter-surfing and trying to steal from the table. The good news is Jake listens very well. Just the word “no” reminds Jake this is not acceptable behavior. He does beg at the table but will go lie down when told. If nothing is offered from the table, he does get bored and will go away. Foster mom is sure if the trash can was not hidden that it would be a problem. Despite having several water bowls, Jake prefers to be a toilet drinker, so the lid is kept down.
Jake was crate trained before coming to MAESSR. So, his crate was set up in his foster home only to find that he is not interested in it anymore. There is no need to crate Jake since he is well-behaved when nobody is home. He sleeps in his foster parents’ bed but doesn’t get on other furniture unless invited.
Jake is not a Velcro Springer. He wants to be playing with the other dogs or looking for the pesky cat or food. When he is not busy with those endeavors, he is sound asleep on the floor. Jake is a loving dog, though. He loves to be scratched all over. A good ear rub is always welcomed! This affectionate boy gives great kisses, too!
His foster family and all the dogs took a ride to a local farm field where all the dogs got to run and explore off-leash. Jake did extremely well during his first time out. He was a typical Springer hopping through the field with nose to the ground but always keeping his foster parents in his site. His listening skills are a plus!
Before coming into MAESSR, Jake was medicated and muzzled before going to the vet and groomer. He also was medicated to ride in a car. His foster mom spoke with the trainers at MAESSR about this prior behavior since Jake showed very little of this behavior at his foster home. Jake rides better in the car now but he is usually with the other dogs. He is taken in the car more often and is muzzled for a short time daily to desensitize to both. The vet was informed of Jake’s earlier behavior and chose to see him without medication and muzzle. The vet and Jake did very well. All sat on the floor and talked while Jake got to know the vet. The doctor was able to examine Jake without issue. The vet decided not to do bloodwork at that time because he did not want to stress Jake. The trainers and vet both stated they felt Jake needed more exercise to help release all his energy and to prevent him from acting out. The foster family feels the vet and trainers are correct. If Jake is handled correctly and gets the required exercise, the medication and muzzle should not be needed.
Don’t let this previous behavior discourage you about Jake. Jake is an awesome dog! He’s so smart and he listens very well. Although he has a lot of energy, he is not hyper. He just wants to play, eat and be loved. Make Jake yours!