Entered: 01/09/2011
Status: Adopted
Age: 0
Color: Liver/White/Tan
Weight:
Gender: Altered Female
Location: Richmond, VA
Health: UTD, HW-, benefiting from medication to assist with anxiety, overall good health
Temperament: Good with adults, reportedly good with children but has met none while in foster care, good with other dogs, reportedly good with cats
Update 02/17/11:
Lucy has made tremendous progress in the six weeks since she joined her foster family. Her separation anxiety has diminished; in fact, with a peanut butter bone or other tasty treat in her possession, Lucy no longer needs to go to the door to watch her family leave. Upon their return, she’s always excited, but no more so than any other dog happy to see her family. Lucy will remain on her anti-anxiety medication for a while longer but, since she is doing so well, she shouldn’t need it for long.
Most of the time, Lucy tolerates the crate without crying, although she pulled a Houdini act recently and managed a crate escape. Rewarding her success, she helped herself to a big slice of leftover pizza. Her family usually allows her free roam of the house if her canine foster brother is home, but she is crated if alone. This is only for one or two hours.
This cutie is one smart cookie and has a repertoire of tricks! Lucy can speak on demand and will offer the correct paw for the commands paw (left) and shake (right). She is fairly consistent with performing stay, come, down, and roll over. Currently she is working her abs for a sit up which might take a while before she’ll have the strength to do it without assistance. How impressive!
Another skill this smart girl possesses is making things disappear, also known as counter-surfing! This is a talent which her foster family is strongly discouraging. No jar, tube, or bottle of hand cream is safe if it’s not securely put out of her reach. She recently ate half of a can of Bag Balm, which proved to be an excellent laxative later in the day!
Lucy and her Springer foster brother are now good friends and will wrestle happily inside. Outside, she often gets knocked down since he is much bigger. If the play gets too rough, Lucy just seeks out her foster dad for protection.
Lucy’s foster dad believes that Lucy would benefit from agility, flyball, or trick training once her basic skills are mastered. She’s a smart and busy little dog who will thrive with lots of activity to keep her healthy and happy.
This petite sweetie is ready for someone to love who can channel her wonderful energy and intelligence. In return, Lucy will provide love and tricks and while she might try to sneak some hand lotion, Lucy will definitely steal your heart.
Original:
This beautiful, tricolor pup was relinquished by her North Carolina owner who, because of a job change, was unable to provide enough time for training and activity for Lucy. The owner contacted MAESSR and now Lucy will begin a new life.
Lucy does exhibit separation anxiety and has a history of destroying several crates. Currently, she is on meds for anxiety which help her. She is not being crated at this time as the initial attempt to do so in her foster home generated a high level of stress. Her foster parents plan to slowly reintroduce her to the crate and reinforce that it is a pleasant place to be. Right now, Lucy has free run of the house with the resident dog when her foster family is out and she has chewed just a few things that are within reason for a young dog.
Although she is very well housetrained, Lucy doesn’t really signal to go out at her foster home, but this not an issue as she has been able to get out regularly. Some of her house manners need polishing as she will get up on the furniture, investigate the trash, and see what is on the counter in the kitchen. Her foster parents are working on modifying these undesirable behaviors. When she meets strangers, Lucy will bark and jump up a bit, but she settles pretty quickly. Since her original owner had taken her to basic puppy class, she is doing well with basic commands although she pulls on the leash at times. When her foster parents walk the dogs on a trail, they are allowed off leash and Lucy likes to stick very close by. Lucy’s forever family will have to take her to obedience training as is required by MAESSR for dogs a year old and younger.
Lucy is as cute and as loving as she can be, as long as she isn’t being left behind. This typical Velcro Springer love bug is reportedly good with children and cats. With other dogs Lucy is initially timid, but soon becomes playful.
Watch for more on this pretty pup as her foster family works more with her.