Entered: 08/05/2014
Status: Adopted
Age: 2
Color: Black/White
Weight: 50 lbs.
Gender: Altered Male
Location: West Grove, PA
Health: UTD, HW-, overall good health
Temperament: Good with people as young as 8 (younger unknown), good with both cats and dogs
Original: “Kobe quickly showed his foster family that his favorite play activity is soccer!“
Two years ago when Kobe’s original owner developed health issues, he gave his young Springer to a friend. Kobe’s temporary family could no longer care for him so that is when this Pennsylvania boy came into MAESSR’s care.
His foster family has seen their share of foster Springers and they’ve never had one quite like Kobe. He’s gentle, well-mannered, well-trained, healthy, handsome, affectionate and fun! They would have adopted Kobe hands down after just one week of fostering him, but their intellectual side won out over their emotional side. Needless to say, they think he’s a great dog!
Kobe integrated immediately into his foster family’s routine as if he had lived with them his entire life. He’s definitely accepted them all, but it’s quite clear that he’s especially attached to his foster dad. The youngest child in the house is 8 and he is great with her, too. Very gentle! One of the two resident female Springers is a little temperamental with new arrivals and gave Kobe a hard time at first, but Kobe was not fazed by her attitude. He just submitted to her and established his place in the pack very quickly. All three Springers get along great now. It took Kobe a day or two to get used to the resident cat, but he’s since settled in. The cat comes and goes as she pleases and Kobe minds his own business. Good boy!
Housetrained and crate trained, Kobe is confined in his crate when his family leaves the house, going in without any trouble. At night, Kobe sleeps in the master bedroom with the other dogs. A crate is available to him there with the door open and he goes in the crate as he pleases at night. Kobe needs this crate space from time to time as he likes to go in.
Kobe’s house manners are fantastic. Counter-surfing? Nope. Trash picking? Nope. Jumping on furniture? Nope. His family invited him up on the couch and he didn’t know quite how to jump up! Chewing? Nope. Housetrained? Absolutely! He knows what outside means and gets all excited when someone gets ready to take him out. His foster home’s property is fenced, but it’s very large and the family doesn’t feel comfortable letting foster dogs off-leash until they get to know them. Kobe’s foster folks took him out on a leash the first day, but after that it was quite clear there would be no problem letting him run loose inside the fenced yard. Kobe wants to be outside with his family, walking and running with them. Kobe never attempts to run off or “push the boundaries” of the property. When it is time to go in, Kobe is right there at the door with his people. He responds to his name as well so if he’s out in the yard, he comes with one call.
Mealtime goes smoothly as well. Someone must have worked with Kobe when he was younger because he sits on command and his family can put his dish on the floor without him moving, going to his food only when he’s told to. What a good boy! He’s not the best leash walker, though, as he pulls quite a bit. This dog needs to run and play. He also does very well on car rides, settling in and sleeping.
Kobe quickly showed his foster family that his favorite play activity is soccer! He loves fetching the soccer ball so his person can kick it again for him to fetch. He’s so playful when he does this too. He gives friendly play growls and barks to encourage you to play some more with him! Although his family hasn’t seen him actively engaging the other dogs in play, they have caught them lying down together in the yard when they thought no one was looking! Kobe has not shown any resource guarding― not with the other dogs or with his people. They can take his food dish away at will, or remove a ball he’s playing with no problem.
At his vet appointment, Kobe was a very good boy! He hopped up on the examination table right away on his own and had no issues with the examination. Kobe was fine with having his ears checked, but he didn’t like having his nails trimmed. He’ll need some work there.
Since Kobe needs space to run and play, a fenced yard in his forever home would be a plus for him so he could play soccer with his new family. He wouldn’t mind having another dog for a companion but he could also be happy as an only pup. If his new family had a laid back cat, Kobe wouldn’t mind either. Kids could be nice, but not necessary for him to be happy. Kobe just wants an active family who will keep him well exercised and well loved! Kobe is a fantastic dog. He’s a real pleasure to have around and his foster family will really be sorry to see him go.