Entered: 07/01/2016
Status: Adopted
Age: 5
Color: Liver/White
Weight: 45 lbs.
Gender: Altered Male
Location: Richmond, VA
Health: UTD, HW-, receiving OTC supplements for urinary tract health and life transition, treatment for urinary tract infection complete, overall good health
Temperament: Good with adults, successfully met children as young as 7 but would be best with teens or adults, reactive to some dogs and should live as an only dog, chases cats
Update 08/08/2016: “His enthusiastic pursuit of squirrels had them watching him bound with ease over four foot fencing.”
While he is sweet and mellow in the house, Red’s foster parents have found his high prey drive outdoors to be somewhat problematic. His enthusiastic pursuit of squirrels had them watching him bound with ease over four foot fencing. His romps in the woods never lasted more than a few moments, but leaving the boundaries of his yard was never the less worrisome. Red’s tendency to flush out birds from shrubberies could make him a natural as a hunting companion. Alternately, Red could be trained to become excellent at agility courses. Given his compact and muscular frame, speed and athleticism, this could be a wonderful sport for him.
Walks also can be a problem for Red’s foster parents. While he will walk appropriately most of the time, if a squirrel or cat was encountered, he may try to take off in pursuit…it may feel like a foster parent’s arm is being taken off as well. Some dog encounters get his hackles up as well.
With his foster parents leaving for vacation, it presents an opportunity for Red to move to another foster home. He will be with dog-savvy parents who can assess Red’s behavior and work on shaping his less desirable habits. It is hoped that with consistent work Red will blossom into the wonderful Springer his foster parents know he can be.
Original: “He will sit and wait for a meal, a treat, or at the door until given the ‘okay’ command.”Red is an adorable Springer boy whose family in Virginia reluctantly made the decision to have MAESSR find him a new home. Adopted two years ago from a shelter, Red became protective of his parents and began to guard them from the other resident canines. This made for a less than peaceful household and it seemed apparent to his owners that Red would be happier in a home as the only dog.
Red settled quickly and happily in to a foster home where he could be the solo canine. He was introduced immediately to his new home and fenced yard while on leash. Reportedly Red will search for any possible breach in a fence to explore the wildlife beyond its borders, as he is very prey-driven. Wildlife that flies or walks, beware! Compact and muscular, this speedster tears around the yard, running through underbrush to flush out birds, squirrels, or chipmunks.
This boy could possibly be a terrific hunting dog…if he had good recall. The call of the wild is strong in Red and he has very selective hearing when he’s on the hunt. He has escaped from a weak spot in his fenced yard a couple of times for a just a few minutes, but returned on his own. They were joyous romps through the exciting woods behind his home as evidenced by his heavy panting and enthusiastic smile he gave to his parents. Fence repair will commence soon!
Red is a smart boy whose forever family will need to reinforce “come” when called. Red knows “sit,” “down,” and “wait;” he responds appropriately most of the time to these commands. He will sit and wait for a meal, a treat, or at the door until given the “okay” command. Good boy! Red loves to go on walks. Initially he was quite a puller. He was put in a harness and shown that pulling is not an appropriate way to walk. After just a few days his behavior improved considerably and walks are much more enjoyable.
It was reported that Red was a nervous rider in a car, panting and pacing but never having an upset stomach. During his first car ride using a harness attached to a seat belt, Red was anxious. By the second ride, he understood just where to sit; he’s much calmer now traveling while harnessed in the back seat.
Aside from some attempts to look on the kitchen counters, Red has good house manners. He does not beg at meals or chew inappropriately and has (mostly) stayed off of furniture as requested. While he occasionally lies on one of the dog beds, he really enjoys stretching out on cool floors. At night he sleeps on a dog bed in his parents’ room. Red is calm in the house and is content to lounge nearby his foster parents while they are preparing dinner, watching TV, or working on a computer. He likes to be nearby (sometimes in the next room) and isn’t clingy or underfoot. Just look at Red or talk to him in a happy voice and he immediately rolls over on his back to get belly rubs from his people. He can’t get enough of that…and it’s hard to resist those beautiful eyes!
Red is well housetrained and has had no accidents; he signals to go out by pacing and looking at a door. He is crate trained and will go into one willingly, although reportedly he broke out a few times. In his previous home he was sometimes crated, sometimes not. His foster parents have tried both methods when leaving him alone. When crated, he is joyous upon their return and will jump up on them in excitement. When Red was not crated it was apparent that he looked for his foster parents from the top of a sofa that sits in front of a big bay window. Again, he showed his pleasure at their return. Nothing in the house was disturbed aside from sofa cushions and the signs of slobber on the window.
His foster parents can touch Red all over and put their hands near his bowl while he’s eating and it doesn’t faze him. A high value cow tail, however, was guarded by Red and, as a result, it was removed. Afterwards Red approached his foster mom and put his head in her lap as if to say, “I’m sorry I did that.” Later the treat was returned and he practiced the “trade” method, successfully dropping the cow tail in exchange for another small treat he enjoys. His foster parents can touch Red all over without issue. He has had his feet trimmed and inside of ears buzzed; he put up with all without much wiggling. Once Red realized a bath was about to happen he tried to flee, but he was a good boy throughout his ordeal once he understood that the bath wasn’t optional.
Red visited the vet for a check-up. He was a bit nervous in the waiting area and was reactive toward a dog that entered. Another dog was met as though it was a new friend. Yet a third elicited a lip snarl from Red. Since he had been exhibiting some chewing at his rear end and scooting on the floor, the vet staff expressed Red’s anal glands. They remarked that they were full and that Red was very unhappy with the uncomfortable procedure and snapped at them. Afterwards he calmly allowed his check-up to continue. It would be wise to have Red muzzled at the vet for unpleasant or painful procedures. Although he exhibited no symptoms, Red was found to have a mild UTI and is currently on antibiotics for treatment. He’s also receiving daily over-the-counter supplements to help with urinary tract health and transitioning to his new life.
Red is a sweet, loveable boy who will need a home where he’s the only pet – canine or feline. He requires a solid fence in his yard and room to run after wildlife, his favorite pastime. Red loves his people and would be best with adults or a family with teenagers. From them he’ll need love, guidance, and reinforcement of his commands. This formula will bring out the best in this handsome Springer with the colorful name.