Entered: 11/06/2015
Status: Adopted
Age: 2, Born 02/25/2013
Color: Black/White
Weight: 40 lbs.
Gender: Altered Male
Location: Williamsburg, VA
Health: UTD, HW-, receiving medication to reduce anxiety, has gained to a healthy weight
Temperament: Good with adults once they become familiar but fearful of strangers, unknown with children, good with other dogs, chases cats
Update 12/21/2015: “His manners were wonderful and he met new people with more confidence.”
What a snuggle boy Jet has become! He loves to lie in his foster parents’ laps for a cuddle. A typical Velcro Springer, Jet wants to be included in his foster family’s activities. To help this boy feel more comfortable, he has started medication to help calm his anxiety. He has been through a lot of change but is thriving on a routine schedule. Jet waits patiently for his breakfast and dinner and eats near the resident Springer without incident. At times he needs to be reminded that he needs to finish his meal when looking out the window takes priority. Regular meals have allowed this pint-size Virginian to achieve a healthy weight of 40 pounds.
A play date at the home of fellow MAESSR alumni was a huge success for Jet. He loved running and playing with the resident Springers. His manners were wonderful and he met new people with more confidence. Jet would come to lie next to his foster mom to rest and then continue romping with the other dogs. Good boy, Jet! He loves going for walks and his walking manners have improved; he’s not pulling so much when he wears his Easy Walk harness. He is always up for a game of Frisbee or ball chasing. Jet often initiates play with the resident Springer.
Jet recently made a visit to the groomer and emerged such a handsome boy! A classic Springer cut shows off his beautiful coat and markings. Although you can’t feel him, he has the softest downy fur! This was his very first visit for grooming and he did very well, though he was a bit nervous when the clippers were used near his face. The groomer feels he will do even better next time when he understands the process better.
He continues to make progress with becoming less fearful of humans. A loving environment will help Jet continue to gain confidence and become the great little guy he shows he is.
Original: “He is a terrific passenger in the car – snoozing and occasionally checking out the scenery in a calm manner. Jet just likes to be included!”
Jet entered MAESSR after changes in his Virginia home made it impossible for him to safely remain there. A kind lady took him in and saw to his vetting and neutering. Due to multiple pets of her own, she contacted MAESSR to locate just the right home for Jet.
Getting to know Jet and to gain his trust have been his foster parents’ first goals for their new foster boy. Real progress has been made in terms of adjusting to life with his new family but some things still make him uncomfortable. Introducing him to new people who visit the home has been difficult. Having strangers in his house causes Jet to be very fearful and he barks frantically at them. His foster parents and their dog loving friends are working with Jet to overcome this fearfulness. After consulting with MAESSR behavior experts, his foster parents have a plan to offer Jet some relief from his anxiety and help him regain the weight he lost his past year.
A high energy boy, Jet loves his time outdoors. He is very alert and looks for every opportunity to swim, run at top speed, and to play ball, Frisbee and keep-away from the resident Springer. His nose traces scents of small animals and his sharp eyes keep a look out for birds. Indoors, he is interested in squeaky toys, plush animals and tug toys. He is a great size to cuddle up on his person’s lap and enjoy a good snooze. Jet loves being scratched, rubbed and brushed and should do well at his upcoming grooming.
Jet is crate trained and is crated while the foster parents are at work. The crate isn’t his favorite place to be, but he remains quiet until he is released. He is fully housetrained and paces at the door when he wishes to go out. At night, he sleeps in a dog bed in the foster parents’ room or at the foot of the bed. He waits for the alarm in the morning, and then jumps up to cuddle in bed before his foster mom gets up. Jet will get on the furniture, generally to sit with a human (and get rubbed and scratched). No inappropriate chewing has been noted.
At mealtime, Jet is fed in the kitchen with the resident Springer and has had no issues guarding his food or when his food bowl has been moved. He has been spotted checking out the counters and table tops, but stays out of the trash.
MAESSR’s new boy likes to go for walks, but is learning to not pull so much. He is using an Easy Walk harness to improve his gait. He is a terrific passenger in the car – snoozing and occasionally checking out the scenery in a calm manner. Jet just likes to be included!
Though small in size, he has a powerful personality. Jet would benefit from obedience classes to reinforce and expand what he knows. He responds to “come,” “sit,” “lie down,”’ and “off.” Jet is eager to please his humans and has quickly learned that he must sit before receiving treats. But, this young man still thinks he is in charge; convincing him otherwise is a work in progress between him and his foster parents—he is making daily gains.
Jet would do best in a home with a fenced-in yard. He loves to run and can be quite the escape artist getting through an open door; the result is usually a game of chase. With time and consistency, he will recall nicely. People playing with him will help build the trust he needs and help burn off some of his energy. Jet loves to be cuddled and scratched; he is a fine lap dog! This handsome guy with classic Springer markings is a loving dog who should become a cherished family member – a household where he receives love, consistency and commitment is exactly what he needs. Watch for updates on his progress.