Entered: 07/24/2009
Status: adopted
Age: 5
Color: Black/White
Weight:
Gender: Altered Male
Location: Galloway, NJ
Health: UTD, HW-, good in all areas
Temperament: Good with people 12 and older, unknown with small children but could accidentally knock them over because of his size, good with other dogs, unknown with cats
Original: This big, handsome Springer boy found himself homeless when he was brought to a Pennsylvania shelter when his original owner could no longer care for him. When a MAESSR volunteer went to the shelter to evaluate Oakley, he showed what a sweet boy he could be sitting by her side and behaving like a gentleman. After a long car ride, this good passenger arrived at his foster home during a MAESSR function and assimilated into a crowd of 16 springers without issue.
Oakley has become the shadow of the 12-year-old boy who regularly visits his foster home, following him everywhere he goes. Running and playing, Oakley can jump very high to catch a toy his friend throws for him. He was not thrilled with his first swim in the pool, though, but he still seems interested enough to venture over to the edge and investigate.
Housetrained, Oakley is trustworthy in the house when his foster mom is at work. He will investigate any good smelling food left on the counter, but he is responsive to a firm “no!” Another behavior that his foster family is working on is leash walking because Oakley is currently a puller. When it comes time to go in or out of the house, Oakley thinks he should have preference over the resident dogs. He will race out the door or to the top of the stairs trying to block the resident dogs from passing; however, he listens great to commands and will “move,” “back up,” and “go out” seeming to understand what he is being told. He was a good boy at the groomer. After he was bathed and shaved down, under all that hair was a very fit, well-proportioned dog, distinguished too, with his black coat contrasting with his freckles on his legs and around his nose!
This is one smart dog that needs a job to keep his mind occupied and his energy level in check! He would enjoy being adopted by an active family who would help burn off some of that energy daily. Obedience classes would help Oakley bond with his new family and help polish off any rough edges this fine boy yet has.
Love, training, and security are the polishing components that will make Oakley your family’s prized companion.