Lincoln 2

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Original: “Lincoln really is a good boy with a great personality but he doesn’t like to be left alone.”

Lincoln came to MAESSR from a single mother with three children under the age of eight in New York state. Their life styles did not mesh and he was very stressed when his owner went to work leaving him behind.

Totally housetrained, Lincoln was taught to ring bells hanging from the doorknob to signal that he needs to go out. He is crate trained but he is very frustrated when crated.   To his foster mom’s dismay, after engaging Lincoln in three hours of vigorous activity, she put him in the crate without any fuss only to have him escape the double hinged crate!  Now at night he sleeps on a dog bed in the master bedroom. 

Lincoln came to his foster home with the habits of counter-surfing and being underfoot in the kitchen. Those behaviors seem to have been abated by placing a dog bed outside of the kitchen but within view of what’s going on inside. His family is working on keeping him off the furniture unless invited. Any negative chewing has only been exhibited in his crate. 

This smart boy knows the commands “come,” “sit,” and “lie down.” Foster mom has been working on “wait,” “cross,” and “leave it” with Lincoln.  He is a quick learner!  Off-lead he immediately picked up on whistle commands. His recall is impeccable, yet there are two areas that need work. One is getting out of the car. If he had his choice, he would just like to bolt. So, to be safe, he and the resident dog are leashed before leaving the car. (His vomiting from motion sickness has also abated.) While riding in the car, he is either locked into the front seatbelt or in the back of the SUV with the resident other dog. Secondly, Lincoln needs more leash work. He is fine if there are no distractions such as other dogs (his biggest distraction by far).  So, leash walking may take some time, consistency, and repetition. 

Note that MAESSR will require the adoptive family to take their new family member through a series of obedience classes within 90 days of adoption.  MAESSR only places puppies – even older ones – in homes that are committed to training and bonding with the pup in obedience classes. Puppies require a lot of care, attention, and patience.  MAESSR believes the decision to get a puppy and raise it to be a healthy, happy, and well-adjusted dog is a serious commitment.

Lincoln LOVES any kind of balls and he and his family spend hours fetching.  When a ball isn’t handy, sticks and even cardboard boxes are fun to chase after!  He buzzes around the three unfenced acres, self-playing and exploring. By mimicking the resident Springer, he learned the property boundary on the first day!  He also enjoys tug with the resident Springer. Lincoln shows no resource guarding for food or toys. Good boy! 

Lincoln is a delight to have around. He loves his people and loves being with them without being an overly clingy.  He loves to cuddle and can be a real Ham!!  In his former home, he and the resident cats were buddies, sleeping together and play chasing together.

The vet visit was an easy time. Lincoln does not mind strangers handling him. He doesn’t resist grooming or brushing or having his feet touched.  The vet observed that he has a broken molar but it is not bad enough to have this tooth removed.  It just needs to be monitored.

Since his foster home is in the country, Lincoln doesn’t have much contact with people. But Lincoln had lived with six-year-old twins and an eight-year-old boy; reportedly, he was fine with them.  He is sometimes wary of strangers such as the Amazon delivery person, but warms up quickly.  He seems confident and on an even keel until the crate and separation are introduced.

Lincoln would do best with a household that is very active.  He would be a great companion for runners, hikers or mountain bikers who in their activities could give him space to RUN and just be himself!  He loves to swim, even though he probably had not been exposed to swimming up to now. He is playful and energetic and would do best living with another dog so they could wrestle and play chase.  Lincoln seems to love any dog he meets.  He would play endlessly if the resident 5 1/2-year-old Springer could keep up!  Fortunately, Lincoln does know how to chill once inside the house. And interestingly, he is not that vocal. 

His foster mom’s wish for Lincoln in his forever home is this:  A family, couple or single person who works from home, who is active, who has acreage with a pond or creek since he absolutely LOVES water– a place where he can burn off all that energy that a Fieldie possesses, PLUS the company of at least one other dog his age.  He is a very social Springer and craves human and canine company.  Lincoln is a delight!