Entered: 10/23/2021
Status: Adopted
Age: 1; born 07/31/2020
Color: Black/White/Tan
Weight: 53 lbs.
Gender: Altered Male
Location: State College, PA
Health: UTD, HW-, overall good health
Temperament: Good with adults, but may be too play-mouthy for seniors and small children, good with other dogs, good with cats at a distance (otherwise unknown)
Update 12/18/2021: “He’s been a true Velcro-Springer, always at his foster dad’s heels and also snuggling close on the couch.”
Mello is doing very well in his foster home. He’s been a true Velcro-Springer, always at his foster dad’s heels and also snuggling close on the couch.
This handsome boy continues to show excellent progress with commands. As mentioned in his prior write-up, when happy and excited, he still jumps and play-mouths which at times can become more aggressive. However, the frequency of such behavior has reduced over the past weeks.
Over the same time period, Mello also showed his impish side by quickly and stealthily grabbing a shoe from the closet (he’s figured out how to push/pull doors open if they are not completely closed), then running through the house shaking his new found prize that he will only give up in exchange for a better tasting object, namely a dog treat! At least with the concept of trade firmly in his brain, Mello has not ruined any shoes. He doesn’t want to get on the “naughty list” so close to Christmas!
Mello is a wonderful Springer who makes a great impression on all he meets.
Original: “Mello is a higher energy 15 month old pup-dog but also gladly likes to just snuggle on his foster family’s feet or next to them on the family room sofa.”
Mello came to MAESSR because his Pennsylvania family did not have the time to keep up with a young, active Springer and graciously relinquished him to MAESSR.
Mello is a higher energy 15 month old pup-dog but also gladly likes to just snuggle on his foster family’s feet or next to them on the family room sofa. He can become more excited and will sometimes either jump and/or play-mouth to hands/sleeves/shoes. At times, Mello’s enthusiasm escalates, and the amount and force of his play-mouthing becomes more intense and forceful. This behavior, though short in duration, is not acceptable and is likely evidence that Mello has not yet learned what’s acceptable and limits; a “No” and refocusing attention with treats and then praise is being attempted to curtail the mouthing/jumping
A crate is not used in his foster home, and Mello has shown good in-house manners by not attempting to get up on furniture except where he is permitted on a family room sofa. He sleeps soundly on a dog bed and will attempt to adjust the bed “just right” before sleeping. Occasionally he decides it’s time for a break and will go into the family room to take a nap on a floor dog bed or up on the corner of the sofa. Mr. M. is very observant and curious. He will attempt to thoroughly explore his surroundings and might pick up and show items he finds interesting. He has not counter-surfed, attempted to open the cabinet where the kitchen trash is located, or chewed inappropriately (except for two brief attempts). Mello has shown some separation anxiety in his foster home and its extent is unknown due to the short nature of his time in the foster home.
Mello was reported to know “basic” commands and initially exhibited the “sit” and later “shake/paw” commands while “lie down” is a work in progress and “stay” is still a foreign language. Treat reinforcement with these commands is helping with his progress. Mello’s leash manners are also improving from being a constant strong puller to a more sedate walker with the occasional brief moment of a plow horse if he sees someone he knows and wants to greet them. In most cases, he walks well by other walkers, dogs and bicyclists. Mello travels very well in the car by spending most of his rides quietly on the floor in the back.
Mello came with two toys: a stuffed rhino and very large chuck-it ball. He was also given a new stuffed/squeaker raccoon and tennis ball. He enjoys playing with each of these toys and attempts to play fetch by repeatedly retrieving then dropping the ball toys at his person’s feet. Mello’s only display of resource guarding was with his rhino toy when he tore and was chewing a solid/hard piece of the eye from his rhino toy; when his foster-Dad attempted to retrieve the eye piece from Mello’s mouth before he could swallow it; there was a brief growl and short snap. There have been no guarding issues with treats or when foster dad reached into his kitchen located food and water bowls.
Mello made very good impressions at both the veterinary neutering and 2 week follow-up appointments. He was very sociable and wagged his long tail for everyone. Two weeks after neutering Mello was still showing stiffness in his rear legs while climbing stairs. However, he did show very good hind quarters flexibility during his post-op exam and stiffness is likely attributable to the neutering healing process and should subside quickly. Mello showed no problems while his ears were cleaned. He enjoys his daily brushing.
Overall, Mello is a very good dog that is transitioning from a high-energy puppy. The mentioned short-comings probably can be remedied with very patient and consistent positive reinforcement training. Therefore, his adopting family should have the time, resources, and temperament to follow through with any remaining training. What a wonderful fellow Mello will be to have in your home this holiday season!