Entered: 07/06/2009
Status: adopted
Age: 1
Color: Liver/White
Weight:
Gender: Altered Male
Location: Ashburn, VA
Health: UTD, HW-, good in all areas
Temperament: Good with people as young as five, previously lived with a two-year old, good with other dogs, unknown with cats
Original: Having Mick the puppy and a new human baby at the same time proved to be too much for his New Jersey family and Mick was surrendered to MAESSR. His original family wanted him to have a forever family who had the time to train him and play with him and love him.
Mick has been a wonderful house guest with his foster family! He is an easy keeper who delights in playing with the five resident Springers. This long, lanky pup is very athletic, clearing a 3.5 fence with ease within five minutes of being in his foster home. Luckily, he has not tried to jump the fence again now that he is comfortable in his foster home, and he enjoys both his human and canine playmates.
In his original home, Mick lived with a two year old as well as a baby, and in his foster home, he lives with a five year old and has had young guests visit. Mick has been wonderful with them.
Due to his original family not having a lot of time for him, many things are new to Mick. As his exposure to new experiences grows, Mick will grow in his confidence and comfort level. In the car, Mick is a nervous rider, but is getting better each time he goes for a drive. He is also very nervous on a leash and will need more training in this to help him through his fears. He does know the commands sit and come, but will need to expand his repertoire. Since he just turned one, Mick’s forever family will be required by MAESSR policy to take him to at least one set of obedience classes. This will help make Mick a good, obedient family member and will help in the bonding process.
Essentially housetrained, Mick has marked a few times in the house, but his foster family expects this to end once he is neutered. Mick was crate trained in his original home but has not been in a crate in his foster home since he seemed frightened of the crate. When his foster family is away from the house, Mick is given free run of the house with the resident Springers and there have been no problems. If he had his way, Mick would like to sleep with his human companions, but with five Springers in the house this is not a possibility. Mick likes to jump up on the bed to say hello, but he will get down when asked. His foster parents are trying to teach Mick that getting onto furniture or onto the bed is not something that Springer boys are supposed to do.
Mick behaved wonderfully at the vet even though he was poked and prodded and given a full round of shots. A bit on the light side at forty-three pounds, the vet would like to see him weigh closer to fifty pounds. Mick is trying to accommodate that directive by eating well. He loves to eat and is very good around his food bowl even with the other dogs around. He has no qualms about people touching his food bowl either.
Mick would enjoy a forever home with other dogs and children as he is ready for play and fun!