Entered: 04/29/2017
Status: Adopted
Age: 6 months
Color: Black/White Springer Mix
Weight: 30 lbs.
Gender: Altered Female
Location: Perkasie, PA
Health: UTD, treatment for hookworms and whipworms complete, receiving over-the-counter meds for anxiety
Temperament: Good with people six years and older, good with other dogs and cats
Original: “Housetraining is going well and Matilda has even intermittently started to use the resident dog’s signal bells when she needs to go outside.”
Matilda and her sister Myrtle were found as strays in Virginia and then they came into MAESSR’s care. These little girls were totally unsure of humans, unfamiliar with life in a loving home, how to co-exist with others, and how to find comfort in a daily routine.
This sweet baby has come to trust her foster parents, the resident Springer, and two resident cats. In turn, they have all gained her loyalty. She has learned much from the resident Springer—a MAESSR alumni himself—and follows his lead. He has helped her to learn to become a member of the family. At night they sleep on their dog beds at the foot of her foster parents’ bed.
Housetraining is going well and Matilda has even intermittently started to use the resident dog’s signal bells when she needs to go outside. While her foster parents are at work, if she needs to relieve herself, she goes to her designated spot. She has never marked anywhere else in the house. She is crate trained, but now she is so comfortable at home she only uses her crate periodically at her discretion. She does not counter-surf, but enjoys a rummage through the waste paper basket. She does not jump onto furniture.
Matilda is a very shy girl and prefers to take the lead when meeting new people. In her own time, she will allow a new person to come over and pet her. She has visited other homes for overnights with her foster parents, though, and has done well. Matilda has been in homes of other dogs, too, and has coexisted well. Good girl!
Being the VERY smart youngster, Matilda catches on quickly. She knows her name well and will respond to “Matilda, come.” She is learning to “sit” for treats and takes the item from the palm of one’s hand with great gentleness. Matilda has learned to walk on a lead and likes walking on the sidewalk and grass, but not on pebbles. Outside, she prefers to be on leash, feeling more confident. Without a leash on, she gets a little confused on what she should do next. More training will help.
Please note that MAESSR only places puppies in homes that are committed to training and bonding with the pup in obedience classes. Puppies require a lot of care, attention, and patience, and they do chew on things! The decision to get a puppy and raise it to be a healthy, happy, and well-adjusted dog is a serious commitment. To reinforce this commitment, MAESSR requires all adopters of dogs one year old and younger to enroll their puppy in obedience classes within 60 days of adoption. Matilda will be a star pupil.
Matilda loves to hang out with her foster parents on a bright summer day with her nose to the ground happily sniffing around. She seems to be unfazed with squirrels, birds, bunnies, and geese who are abundant on and around her foster parents’ property. If she is inside and someone comes to the door, Matilda will alert her foster parents. What an excellent watch dog!
When playing indoors, Matilda prefers plush toys and loves to play “let’s get the squeaker out” with them. She also likes to spend time chewing on her bone. She is a good passenger in the car and does not need to be crated.
This intelligent, sensitive girl will do best with loving forever parents who will continue to support this wonderful dog to grow and trust.