Entered: 07/15/2013
Status: Adopted
Age: 2
Color: Liver/White
Weight: 65 lbs.
Gender: Altered Male
Location: Silver Spring, MD
Health: UTD, HW-, good in all areas
Temperament: Good with adults and older children, has met small children well, good with dogs, respects cats who stand their ground
Update 08/09/2013: “He seems drawn to small children and has behaved very well around them, without jumping.”
Lance has settled easily into his foster home. He trots happily after his foster mom, and lies quietly at the feet of his foster dad when he’s working at home. Visitors are greeted by a madly wagging stub of a tail and sometimes by some jumping and mouthing. However, a very stern uh-uh makes him put four on the floor and a rump on the ground.
This smart pup is food-motivated and quickly added “roll-over” to his list of tricks. He also will fetch, but would rather sit and be petted. At the local dog park, he preferred the people who complimented his good looks and behavior over their dogs. A little play with the dogs, a good deal of splashing in the wading pool, and he would return to the people for more attention. He seems drawn to small children and has behaved very well around them, without jumping.
Lance has been making good progress with loose-leash training, although he can be distracted by the local wildlife. Three deer ran directly in front of him one evening and it took a strong arm to hold back the mighty hunter in him. The neighborhood cat that likes to greet dogs continues to confuse him by refusing to run. Every encounter has ended in a quiet standoff. (While Lance has a repertoire of sounds, he is not a noisy dog.)
Lance is extremely sweet-natured. His foster mom can pet him while he’s eating, and he laid quietly while she ran the clippers over his head. He registered his reluctance to having his feet trimmed simply by tucking them under his body, and did not get defensive when she pulled a paw out again. He likes to have his ears brushed.
This mellow, easy-going fellow may be the perfect match for your home. He won’t ask for more than a lap, a squeaky toy, and lots of love.
Original: “Every dog has special qualities. For Lance it’s his vocal abilities.”
Lance came to MAESSR from a shelter in Tennessee. Not much is known about his history other than that his owner wanted this big, sweet guy to have a better life than being chained outdoors.
More than anything, this handsome two year-old with the true Springer personality craves attention. He wants to greet every person and dog he meets on the street and be by his foster family’s side in the house. Fancying himself a lap dog, he surprised his foster mom by leaping clean over the side of an armchair and onto her lap! His other approach is more subtle—he tries to worm his way onto her lap by placing one paw, two paws, a leg……….and so on until he is lying across her lap!
Lance is housetrained, crate trained and knows “sit and “lie down.” His house manners are almost excellent except for the fact that he considers unwatched food within reach to be up for grabs. Hey, a guy’s got to do what a guy’s got to do! He is given free run of the house when people are home and crated when they are gone. He sleeps on a dog bed in his foster parents’ bedroom at night.
Although he was subdued and a little anxious during his first few foster days, he is now becoming more confident and playful. He will fetch a stick or toy and play by himself with a squeaky toy. When too excited about a game, he will jump on his playmate……..a behavior his foster family is trying to discourage.
Lance does not appear to have spent much time in cars or on walks. He is a little nervous during car rides and whines, but does stay in his designated seat. Good boy, Lance! He also will pull on the leash, but stops when corrected, unless there’s a pesky squirrel in view. He has encountered two cats on his walks. Both times, the cats stood their ground and Lance stood his, completely confused by the standoff.
Every dog has special qualities. For Lance it’s his vocal abilities. He has a sound for everything: a whine when he’s feeling anxious, a grunt when he flops down, a groan when he stretches, a bark if someone appears suddenly at the back door, and a full-on, nose in the air musical howl if too many neighborhood dogs are barking or he feels abandoned by his people.
Lance is a happy, healthy Springer who loves to be brushed and receive attention. He is ready for a new family which might include older children who can handle his jumping and rambunctious playing. Would you like him on your lap in the cool nights to come??