Kaiden

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Updated 8/27/07: Though good with the humans around him, Kaiden was not trustworthy with non-humans. After two months in foster care, he showed no improvement in his desire and drive to seriously injure other dogs. It was deemed that he was a very serious threat to other living animals, posing a clear and present danger to all but one or two in his foster home. Because he gave no warning and immediately attacked, it was determined that it would be irresponsible to rehome him.

Updated 8/9/07: Kaiden has been in his foster home for over a month now and has proven to be an exceptional house guest. His treatment for Lyme disease has taken a little longer than expected as the antibiotic he was started on upset his stomach. It was stopped and the vet prescribed another, just to make sure the Lyme is completely licked. Kaiden shows absolutely no ill effects from the disease and happily races around the yard.

This boy is very prey-driven. There are a lot of birds on the property at his foster home, so most of Kaiden’s time outdoors is spent with his nose in the air or on the ground, tracking whatever he smells. Based on this information, his foster family feels that Kaiden would do best in a home without other animals. He is great with the female and senior male resident dogs in his foster home. However, he has proven himself less reliable with alpha dogs or relatively unknown dogs. For Kaiden to thrive, he will be looking for a home where he can be an only dog.

Kaiden loves to play with toys! Balls, stuffed toys, bones, any treasure is worth investigating and, oh, the delight when he spies a toy lying about!! He remains a quiet dog and only barks when he has a need to go out. He loves his food and will eat quickly. However, his foster mom can pick up his bowl while he’s eating and all is good.

Recently, Kaiden went on a 5.5-hour car ride with his foster family for a weekend away and did great. He did just fine in his crate when left in a strange place. This boy is very adaptable when it comes to people and places. He does need a little work on leash walking, particularly when starting out. After a few minutes of walking, he doesn’t pull so much and he is getting better every day.

Kaiden is a wonderful companion and would love a new home where his people will adore him. He craves chest scratches, ear rubs, and leashed walks to explore all the wondrous smells in his world. He is also happy to lie at your feet and just rejoice in being with his people. Will you be the lucky person to meet and receive all the love this boy has to give?

Original: Kaiden was picked up as a stray by the Anne Arundel County Animal Control, in Millersville, Maryland. They named him Trouble and saw his potential and contacted MAESSR.

Kaiden is very sweet with his foster mom and she handles him with ease. He is very playful with her and has learned that when they play fetch, it is even more fun bringing the ball back to her rather than to run and hide with it! People are very useful since they throw the ball over and over when a smart Springer returns it to them! If Kaiden does hide or go in his crate with the ball, his foster mom can reach in and take it. Kaiden is excellent and quiet in his crate, playing with his toys or chewing on a nylabone while confined there. But, if a blanket is left in his crate with him, though, he will chew it.

Kaiden’s foster family has a number of Springers in it and he likes the female member of this pack but not the males. He and the resident female Springer do very well together. On their first meeting, he took a toy from her and, then, he play-bowed to her in return to her play-bow. This was followed by a race around the yard together! Kaiden was happy as could be for her company. His responses have not been as positive with the male Springers in the pack. His foster mom is working with him to see how he learns the pack order. She feels Kaiden might be best as an only dog.

Kaiden is housetrained, only having one accident during a bout with an upset stomach. He doesn’t jump on furniture, but does show some interest in what might be on the counter. He begs for people food and will jump up for a morsel; normally, he does not jump up on people. Kaiden’s foster mom thinks he has clearly spent a lot of time in a kennel. When he is let back in the house after relieving himself, he spins in place and then comes running. He does the same thing in the house when he’s excited– spins in place then goes a’ running! When Kaiden has been taken to the vet’s office, he has been a good passenger in the car, riding pleasantly whether crated or loose. He has also been a very good patient for the vet. His case of Lyme disease has temporarily weakened Kaiden’s back legs causing him to struggle some on the steps leading to the yard at his foster home. Treatment for Lyme disease in dogs is very effective, though, and within a month he should regain his strength. Stay tuned to see how Kaiden is progressing!

The name Kaiden means friend or companion. This Kaiden truly wants to be your friend. He’s a lover with people and would prefer soaking up all the love he can for himself. Why share with another dog when you can have all the attention for yourself!