Entered: 02/28/2015
Status: Adopted
Age: 5
Color: Liver/White
Weight: 50 lbs.
Gender: Altered Male
Location: Dumfries, VA
Health: UTD, HW-, overall good health
Temperament: Good with people as young as six (may be too energetic for little ones), good with other dogs, unknown with cats
Original: “Although almost five, Phineas is still a puppy who has never been outside. Every thing that moves is new to him. He is fascinated by birds flying and a leaf being blown in the wind.”
Phineas’s Maryland owners lived in a condo, and he was only outside for two walks a day. His owner had fallen two times on the ice, and since Phineas pulls on a walk, he was just too much for the couple. MAESSR was asked to help this fine fellow.
Although almost five, Phineas is still a puppy who has never been outside. Every thing that moves is new to him. He is fascinated by birds flying and a leaf being blown in the wind. Although he was taught “sit,” “stay,” and “down,” this guy was never taken to a dog park nor allowed to run.
Handsome now lives in a home with two other dogs and gets along fine. He is learning the routine of the house quickly by watching his foster brothers. Phineas is a loving velcro boy who needs exercise. With this snowy weather, he gets two to three walks a day (approximately two miles a day), is learning to walk nicely on the leash and can now be trusted off lead for his morning constitutional around the house. He had a wonderful time running at his foster family’s farm and didn’t mind turning his run into a swim when he fell through the ice!
Phineas is housetrained. As soon as he goes outside, he pees and will poop. He is crate trained, but has full run of the house and sleeps on the floor next to the bed. He likes to jump and check out the kitchen counter but has not taken any food. He does not get on the furniture—good boy, Phineas—and is learning not to jump on people—very good boy, Phineas!! He does not play with toys or guard any resources. While he does not interact with the resident dogs in the house, this will probably change once he can be outside and run. His previous foster mom worked from home, and, typical Springer, Phineas would demand her time; however, with other doggie companions, he is happy to just be part of the group and lie next to his person.
This new boy does not ride well in the car and takes awhile to settle down. He is fine at the vet and can be touched all over and groomed.
What is Phineas looking for in the next part of his life? He will need a home with a fenced yard or some land on which to run. He is a quick learner and will benefit from some formal training. He’ll need people who absolutely love him, take him for walks, play ball with him, and tell him how handsome he is. A doggie friend or two would also make Phineas happy. Spring is coming—time for all people and dogs to be outside getting exercise and having fun. Will you come and play with Phineas?