Entered: 7/29/2023
Status: Adopted
Age: 1; born 07/17/2022
Color: Liver/White
Weight: 53 lbs.
Gender: Altered Male
Location: Goochland, VA
Health: UTD, HW-, overall good health
Temperament: Good with people as young as 10 (would accidentally knock over younger ones), good with other dogs, unknown with cats
Original: “When he tried to be possessive of something with one of the older female dogs, she quickly made sure he understood that was not acceptable behavior.”
Purchased as a puppy, Oliver’s Maryland family loved him very much. However, when he hit the “teenage years” of puppyhood, he started to guard items. The family worked with him and he seemed to be getting better, but he would have setbacks. Then, he unexpectedly started a fight with the older female Springer in the home. After a few of these “fights” where no one was injured but just scared, the family became concerned that one of the children would get caught in the middle and get hurt. They made the agonizing decision to release Oliver to MAESSR.
When Oliver came to his foster home where there are several other dogs, he was overwhelmed at first. Wisely, he quickly decided to start playing with the other dogs. When he tried to be possessive of something with one of the older female dogs, she quickly made sure he understood that was not acceptable behavior. Oliver now gets along with all of the dogs without issue. Occasionally, he will growl at one of them when they are playing tug, but it does not escalate.
Shortly after Oliver moved to his foster home, he growled at his foster mom and the Springer beside her. Foster mom and Oliver had a “conversation” about growling. Oliver has not growled at the foster mom nor a Springer since. He willingly shares food from his food bowl with all. “Teenage” Springers just need to know the rules!
Reportedly, Oliver loved playing with the 10 and 13-year-old children in his original home. It is not recommended that he be placed with younger children since he may inadvertently knock one over in his play.
Oliver prefers to sleep in the big bed with his foster parents, but when the bed is full, he is content to sleep on a dog bed or in the living room on the sofa.
In his previous home, Oliver attended 8 weeks of puppy training and knows “sit” and “down.” He also walks well on the leash and rides well in the car. Housetrained and crate trained, Oliver likes to lie in his crate to rest or snooze. He has no separation anxiety or fear of thunderstorms.
Oliver was good with the female groomer who’d been grooming him since he was a puppy. She would come to the house and he was very comfortable with her. The groomer could handle his feet and clean his ears without any problems.
Oliver is also fine at the vet when he’s being examined. He was anxious the day his foster mom took him to there, but he handled it very well. Oliver loves to chase a thrown ball or toy and is walked at least one mile daily. To cool off, he enjoys wading in the kiddie pool in the yard before he’s off and playing with the other dogs again. When he’s inside, Oliver spends his day under his foster mom’s desk resting on her feet. While she is working, he will occasionally poke her to remind her to pet him.
Oliver recently attended a MAESSR picnic and everyone fell in love with him! He had a blast and loved all of the attention. He is one very sweet and cuddly boy. Make him your own!