Mack 3

---

Update 11/18/2024: “Mack’s favorite thing to do is run laps in his fenced yard.”

Mack has been with his foster family for almost seven months. During this time, it has become apparent that Mack’s motto is, “Slow and steady wins the race.”

Mack continues to bond with his foster family and his level of trust is slowly increasing. If Mack is unsure about something, he will seek out his canine foster sister first. If she is not home, he will seek out his foster parents. Changes to Mack’s environment can be unsettling for him. Strange people coming to his foster home is an unsettling change and Mack will run from unknown people if they approach him.

Mack’s favorite thing to do is run laps in his fenced yard. He likes tennis balls but does not like having them thrown for him to play with. His foster dad will roll the ball towards Mack. Mack does not retrieve and return the ball; instead, he enjoys running around the yard with the ball in his mouth. He will drop the ball and pounce on it. He then picks it up off the ground and runs around with it in his mouth. He is also a huge fan of sticks.

Mack’s foster family continues to help him to build trust and confidence so that he can be a wonderful addition to his adoptive family.

Update 09/25/2024: “It will take a while to help Mack understand that the world does not have to be such a scary place.”

Mack had very little socialization as a young puppy so new people and experiences cause him anxiety. While he is doing much better in his foster home, a recent incident outside has pushed back Mack’s progress.

When Mack heard a loud bang while outside, he ran to the door to get into the house because he was scared. Once he entered the house, he would not go outside for his foster family. The resident dog was at daycare that day and Mack’s foster parents had to wait for her to be back home for him to go outside because he follows her.

Mack’s foster mom has been attempting to teach him basic commands. In the house, he is in constant motion. His foster parents have the resident dog sit for a treat hoping Mack will follow her lead, but he will not. Time, patience, and understanding will be required with Mack.

A trainer used by the foster parents has suggested taking Mack to a large box store. The goal is to park far away from other cars and the store so that Mack can take baby steps towards the “outside world.” Going to the groomer will be an experience for Mack his foster family is planning. His foster mom has arranged with the groomer to have the resident female dog scheduled at the same time. Since she loves the groomer and has no issues with the process, it is hoped that Mack will do fine.

It will take a while to help Mack understand that the world does not have to be such a scary place. When he’s ready for adoption, he will need a home with another canine companion, one that is patient and will help him to learn the ropes.

Update 07/10/2024: “Building Mack’s confidence and social skills are the main focus of his foster family.”

Mack continues to gain confidence and he is slowly learning to trust the humans in his foster home.

This smart boy has adjusted to the household routine. He knows when his meals are being

prepared and runs into his crate where he happily makes a “clean plate.”

Mack and his foster parents continue to work on his social skills. Mack will come to visit “his people” when they are sitting and will happily receive petting. If one of the humans gets up or walks towards him, Mack runs away. He is actually doing better because when walking past him, members of his foster family can pass him in close proximity. Fast movement still scares Mack and he will run away.

Building Mack’s confidence and social skills are the main focus of his foster family. As his confidence grows and he is more comfortable around unknown people, Mack will be taken to an obedience class. 

Once he is ready for adoption, Mack will require continued obedience classes.

He will do best in a home with another confident and patient dog. Mack takes many cues from his canine foster sister.  If she is comfortable in a new situation, Mack follows her lead.

Stay tuned for future updates on Mack’s progress.

Original: “He is now crate trained and will willingly go in his crate when his foster parents cannot supervise him.”

Mack was adopted from another rescue by a Pennsylvania family that had an 11-year-old Cocker Spaniel.  Since Mack enjoys playing with other dogs, he wanted to play with his new Cocker Spaniel sibling all of the time.  Unfortunately, Mack’s exuberance and energy was too much for this senior.  Mack’s adopting family contacted the rescue group to return him, but no foster homes were available.  Mack’s family had adopted from MAESSR a number of years ago and reached out to request MAESSR’s help with Mack.  MAESSR and the first rescue group worked together and determined that the best plan for Mack would be to relinquish him to MAESSR. 

This eight-month-old puppy had not received the socialization that is so important to puppies and young dogs.  He is fearful of new things and fast movement scares him.  Despite his lack of socialization, he is learning to trust his foster parents and makes baby steps every day.  He is now taking treats from his foster parents’ hands and will sit quietly next to his foster dad’s chair to watch the evening news.  Seeds of trust have been planted and will continue to grow with his foster parents’ patience and love.

As Mack’s foster family works with him to gain trust and learn that the world is not a scary place and as he makes progress, he will be taken to formal obedience classes.  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.

His foster mom does not think that Mack had any formal obedience training because he does not seem to know basic commands.  He is now crate trained and will willingly go in his crate when his foster parents cannot supervise him.  Mack eats and sleeps in his crate.  The only time that he barks when he is in his crate is if he needs to go outside to relieve himself.  He is not fully housetrained but seems to do well with a routine. 

Mack does exhibit normal puppy behaviors such as chewing. He recently started picking up shoes to chew on. When told to leave it, he willingly drops the shoe.  He does not resource guard. 

Mack shares his new home with a resident three-year-old female Springer. He loves to play with her but respects her corrections when she has had enough.  He has learned that she does not want him to join her when she is in her crate.  One can tell that Mack watches his foster sister and takes cues from her behaviors.

Mack’s favorite place to be is outside.  He loves to run in the fenced-in yard and his favorite thing in all of the world is sticks!  He is learning to walk on a leash, too.  He does well with car rides and does not get car sick.

This smart boy continues to make daily progress in his foster home.  Watch for more about Mack!