Entered: 01/26/2019
Status: Adopted
Age: 6; born 05/08/2012
Color: Black/White
Weight: 51 lbs.
Gender: Altered Male
Location: Goochland, VA
Health: UTD, HW-, Lyme treatment completed, treatment for ear infection completed, receiving an inexpensive medication for anxiety
Temperament: Good with people as young as 12 (too bouncy for younger), good with other dogs, not good with cats
Original: “This good boy wants to be with his people but he also likes to go out in the yard and play.”
Rippy was surrendered because his Maryland family lost trust in him. He has a history of guarding things two or three times a year. During those times when he gets something like a toy or a rawhide, he doesn’t want to relinquish it so he growls and will snap. (He does NOT resource guard his food, though.) He will also growl if someone attempts to reach into his crate or a corner he’s backed into trying to get away. The final straw for his family was when the wife attempted to take the leash off of Rippy while he was in his crate and Rippy nipped her. Their trust in their anxious dog was lost and they contacted MAESSR to find him a new home.
The previous owners did use a private trainer to work with Rippy. He learned basic obedience and improved with his leash walking but the owner admits he did not keep up with the work. So, Rippy still pulls on the leash when he is walked. His foster mom recommends a harness for leash walking.
Fully housetrained, Rippy currently has a doggy door for access to the fenced yard when he needs to go out or when he wants to run around with the other dogs in his foster home. He has dug some holes in the back yard but he has never tried to jump the fence. If a storm is brewing, Rippy goes right inside as he is afraid of thunderstorms. Forget about July 4 fireworks, too!
This good boy wants to be with his people but he also likes to go out in the yard and play. He’s great at playing fetch and enjoys swimming. He’s hard on the stuffed toys, though, since he like to take them apart. .
Inside of the house, Rippy does not counter-surf nor does he have separation anxiety when his foster parents leave for work. When it’s time for housecleaning, Rippy barks at the dangerous vacuum. Since he is an alert barker, he will let his family know that someone is at the door. If a friend comes to visit, Rippy jumps up in greeting.
Rippy had never been groomed but was brushed at home and loved it. He was groomed when he came to MAESSR and was excellent for this spa treatment. His foster parents can handle his ears and feet and drop meds into his ears.
When Rippy went to the vet, he did test positive for Lyme disease. Treatment for that will start once the infection in his ears is cleared. The good news at a vet check recently was that one of his ears had cleared and the other one is improving. Hopefully it will be clear in a week or so. Rippy was started on an inexpensive anxiety medication; he always seemed to be “worried” about something. Now he has started to relax and looks happier. Rippy’s forever family will be required to keep him on this medication for a minimum of six months after adoption.
Rippy is a very sweet boy and his foster mom has not experienced any guarding behavior in him. However, she STRONGLY recommends that no rawhides or other “treats” that take a long time to eat be given to him since most dogs will guard rawhide or bully sticks.
Watch for more on Rippy as his health continues to improve and his personality unfolds even more.