Rocket

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Updated 1/30/05:

For the past 3 weeks, Rocket has been on a housebreaking regimen consisting of crating inside, feeding and treats in crate, outside with his foster mom for potty breaks, stretching, and exercise with the resident dogs. Because he had no accidents in 2 weeks, he now gets some free time, after a successful potty break, in the basement before re-crating. His foster mom is happy to report still no accidents! And he does not get up on the furniture.

He visited the vet today and now weighs 40 pounds. There is still no fat on his ribs and his hip bones remain prominent, so it would appear that 50 pounds as his goal weight is reasonable. Hidden in this accomplishment is another, he actually walked on leash. Half the time he lagged but did not require any pulling and the rest of the time he walked up front!

His foster mom’s last big hurdle is to get Rocket to master stairs so he can join the family more often. Then, too, he can finally sleep at night with his foster family which his foster mom thinks is a critical element in his socialization.

Unfortunately, Rocket freaked out while his foster mom tried to do a little ear grooming, so he looks a little “chewed up”. Exposure to men, children and cats is very limited, but there has been no sign of aggression or even mouthing for that matter, even when he was stressing out on the grooming table.

Rocket is showing marked improvement in muscle tone as a result of playfully chasing the resident puppy. In fact, he is letting go as he runs and is now able to catch the pup. His endurance for this level of exercise has improved also. Rocket and his foster mom are getting excited about the prospects of a “forever home” soon where he can continue to learn and give years of love in return.

Update 12/14/2004:

Rocket was neutered last week and is recovering just fine. He is eating well and gaining about a pound/week. His foster mom reports that he is interacting with her and the resident dogs more freely. He is now going in and out of the door with the pack or by himself, if no human is standing too close to the door. His foster mom has started doing some TTouch with him and there seems to be some immediate improvement. Instead of collapsing in a heap and turning his head away when approached, he sits and looks at her now.

His temperament remains good. Even the vet techs commented on his extreme shyness but “not at all bitey!” nature. There have been two squabbles with the young resident dog over a toy or bone. The senior resident dog never trained the male puppy to leave things she had. She would even leave her food if he pushed his way in. So, Rocket’s foster mom is delighted that he is also training the male pup to respect what others are holding. These two little incidents could have escalated were it not for good temperaments in both dogs, and of course, close supervision. Rocket does not soil his crate, but when put in a larger x-pen, he will relieve himself through the sides of the pen. The foster mom is working on prevention of accidents inside but is not training where to go outside right now. Her first priority is developing trust and self-confidence and counting on a little training, by observation, from the resident dogs.

Original:

Rocket arrived at his foster home malnourished, very dirty, and with an old laceration on his neck. He was one of 5 springers given up because of their owner’s poor health and lack of finances. The group had lived outdoors full-time. Under the dirt was a beautifully ticked, field type springer with a wonderful soft expression. Rocket was not socialized to people, but was about to begin “the first day of the rest of his life” as a loved, respected and valued springer.

Living in a home has been a new experience for Rocket and one that he will need to grow into. He had never worn a collar or been on a leash, so his reaction was like that of a puppy. He stood still and dug in his feet. The difference, though, is that a puppy can be lured. Rocket was so fearful that his foster mom had to stand back 4-5 feet and let him “sneak” up to his food. He had no housetraining but has not soiled his crate and finds it a good hideout. It is doubtful that Rocket ever used stairs, so he is learning that skill too.

He is very submissive and, if approached directly or quickly, Rocket collapses in a heap. He has yet to “walk’ over the threshold to enter his warm home or to go to the pen outside. At first, he would slink around the pen, but he is now walking upright, even looking in the window. He has begun wagging his tail a little at the sound of his foster mom’s voice. He is starting to approach her of his own free will and will take ground beef from her hand. While still hand shy, he accepts some petting, massages and will even remain standing for brushing. Sometimes during the night, he will bark or howl at something, but a “hush” is all it takes to quiet him.

Rocket is interested in the other dogs in his foster home but has not initiated or responded to invitations to play. He probably has never had a toy as evidenced by the fact that when he picked up a tennis ball (some strange new food?), he immediately spit it out. He does love a good marrow bone, though, and Charley Bears!

His foster mom feels Rocket will probably be a counter-surfer, and a good one, given his height. He has taken his marrow bone from the top of his crate and knocked an empty food dish on the floor from there also. Keeping his pen clean requires prompt action at this time to prevent coprophagy. Even at this early stage of working with Rocket, his foster mom feels he will make someone very happy someday. An obedience class with his adopting family would help him bond with them and gain confidence in himself and his new life. There is so much “new” for this dog as he makes his “new beginning” that being part of it may be as rewarding for his adopting family as it will be for Rocket.