Entered: 09/13/2014
Status: Adopted
Age: 4
Color: Black/White
Weight: 57 lbs.
Gender: Altered Male
Location: Goochland, VA
Health: UTD, HW-, treatment for ear infections complete, beginning a supplement for stiffness in his rear legs
Temperament: Good with adults and children, will live best as an only dog, unknown with cats
Update 09/19/2016: “If you’re looking for a loyal, handsome Springer as your one-and-only, please ask about Ranger.”
Two years after coming to MAESSR with a littermate, Ranger’s play sessions with his sibling started escalating to the point that they were getting injured. Since his owners felt that Ranger was instigating the fights, he was returned to MAESSR to find him a more suitable living arrangement. As part of his return, Ranger visited a vet for a check-up. Treatment for ear infections was begun. Also upon exam, some significant degenerative changes in both stifles were detected. A supplement to help with resulting stiffness in his back legs was started and may be something he will benefit from indefinitely.
At his initial foster home, Ranger and the three resident dogs did okay in the yard together; but inside he would occasionally grumble at one of the senior males if they came near the humans in what he considered his ‘area’ of the house. Because the seniors don’t play with toys, that wasn’t an issue with them. He did get a little gruff with the playful resident female so she just refused to engage him in playing with soft toys. Ranger will run and grab a toy for the humans as a present. He’s not destructive with toys; he just likes having one in his mouth in case anyone wants to play keep away or fetch. Ranger especially loves rubber Kong toys and can sniff out and find lost ones from prior foster dogs under bushes, in toy boxes, and in the recesses of the basement.
Ranger seems to have no aggression at all towards humans. When out on leash, he meets strangers with a friendly look and does not get excited about seeing other dogs while on his walk. He’s great in the car, settling easily for the ride. This good boy doesn’t jump up on people, rarely barks and sleeps quietly crated all night or when the humans are away. He will bark with joy when the humans return but he merely wags with his whole body when they come downstairs in the morning. Ranger usually can be found flopped nearby while his foster mom works.
In the kitchen, this handsome guy has no bad habits, although he’ll happily watch the cook during food prep. He is fed separately from the other dogs, eagerly waiting for his breakfast and dinner. He does not complain about being tethered or crated while the other dogs finish their food more slowly.Although he loves humans, due to Ranger’s past history of scuffles with his litter brother and gruff manner about sharing his people, he would be best as an only dog. His foster dad said to him, “If you were the only one here, guy, you’d just be a great dog to have around.” If you’re looking for a loyal, handsome Springer as your one-and-only, please ask about Ranger.
Original: “When his handler stops to chat with someone they meet on their walk, Ranger now sits politely.”
When their Tennessee family was moving and could not take along their Springer brothers, Ranger and Rusty were relinquished to a rescue group who then asked MAESSR to take them into its care.
Ranger is a lively, energetic youngster who loves to run and play with Rusty who also lives in the same foster home. New toys have made a huge hit with both dogs and they are good at entertaining themselves with their new playthings. Most of all, Ranger loves being around his people! He is very affectionate and eager to please! He even went to a recent family reunion and had great interaction with the young grandchildren!
Although both housetrained and crate trained, Ranger still needs work with his house manners. He is in the habit of jumping up on new people he meets—something his foster parents are discouraging. This young pup also counter-surfs and jumps up on the furniture—two things that are not allowed in his foster home. His foster family reports that all of these unwanted behaviors are dissipating daily and good Springer behavior is being reinforced. When his foster family has to go out and at bedtime, Rusty is crated and is very comfortable with the arrangement.
A willing companion on car rides and walks, Ranger is a good passenger in the car. He loves to go for walks on the leash, and has shown improvement in following lead. When his handler stops to chat with someone they meet on their walk, Ranger now sits politely. Good boy! He responds to the commands “off” and “come” as well. Ranger is not protective of his food and can be touched while eating.
Ranger’s forever family will need patience in teaching him good manners and will need to give him plenty of exercise perhaps in a fenced yard with plenty of room for him to run freely. How about making this handsome, loveable boy a part of your family?