Entered: 04/22/2010
Status: Adopted
Age: 1
Color: Black/White
Weight:
Gender: Altered Male
Location: Delmar, MD
Health: UTD, HW-, Lyme-, treatment for roundworms complete, overall good health
Temperament: Good with people older than eight, good with other dogs, good with cats
Update 05/03/10:
Kobe has adjusted well to his life as a foster dog. He loves toys of all kinds (he is a puppy, after all!) and has specific toys for outside and inside. If he tries to carry an outside toy inside, or vice versa, he immediately drops it when told “Kobe, wrong toy” and he is quick to pick up an appropriate toy once he reaches his destination. His family also recently discovered that Kobe is a Frisbee catching machine!
He continues to display excellent house manners. His foster family keeps food off of the counters so that he isn’t tempted, but Kobe is definitely interested in what is going on up there when meals are being prepared. The one area that Kobe still needs work in is his leash skills. There is just so much to see when out for a walk that he can be a little steam engine. He has just started to use a “Gentle Leader” head collar which has turned him into more of a gentleman when on walks. Indeed, the nearly immediate difference in his behavior is really surprising. His family is continuing to work with him and is hoping that with a little more training, this last piece of the puzzle will fall into place for him.
Kobe got to kick off MAESSR’s SpringerFest season this weekend with his family at Langhorne, Pennsylvania. He didn’t find his forever family there but he had a great time at the picnic and didn’t seem too upset. Kobe is in great health. He is a fun, energetic Springer pup who would love to be adopted by an active family that has time to give him plenty of love and exercise. Chances are great that when the Richmond SpringerFest arrives, this youngster will be attending with his adopting family!!!!
Original:
Kobe was relinquished to a shelter in Maryland when his family decided that they did not have time for him anymore. MAESSR pulled him from the shelter and he began a new phase in his life as a MAESSR boy.
It is obvious that Kobe was somebody’s well-loved pet in the past. He has good house manners, making no attempt to get on the furniture and loving to sit by your feet for some attention and belly rubs. Completely housetrained and crate trained, there have been no accidents for this good boy! He goes into his crate willingly when told “kennel up” and he sleeps there the whole night. If Kobe wakes up before his foster family does, he will wait in his crate patiently until his people are ready to let him out. Sometimes Kobe picks up something he shouldn’t, like a shoe or sock, but he always gives it up easily and does not chew. His foster parents are working on making sure that he always has appropriate items to play with so that he is not as interested in their possessions. He is a good car traveler, settling down in his crate quickly and staying quiet for the ride, regardless of its length.
Although he is very gentle overall, Kobe would probably not be well-suited for a home with small children (or unprotected fragile collectibles!) since he is young and sometimes lacks body awareness. In his previous home, he had lived with children and is well-behaved when meeting them. His forever family must take Kobe to take him to obedience training according to MAESSR policy for dogs one year old and younger. This helps to ensure the future happiness and safety of both the Springer and its new family. Kobe has been friendly with all of the resident animals in his foster home. He is interested in the cats and sometimes chases them, but only in play. He can be called away from them extremely easily. He is friendly with the resident dog, a much smaller female Springer. Submissive to her in play, Kobe always gives in when the two are tugging with a toy.
Playing fetch is Kobe’s favorite thing to do. He will chase after a ball for as long as you are willing to throw it. He doesn’t let the patio furniture or pool in his foster home’s backyard get in the way, either. There is a reason the breed is called the English Springer Spaniel. Kobe also loves to carry around his toys. He doesn’t care whether it is a bone, a rubber tire, or a stuffed animal; he just likes to have something in his mouth! When Kobe has finally worn himself out by playing, he collapses wherever he is and takes a nap. His foster family calls him their “bag of bones.”
Kobe is a darling boy who adores his people. He would love to be someone’s beloved pet once again. Do you have room in your heart for this charmer?