Entered: 02/08/2015
Status: Adopted
Age: 8 months
Color: Liver/White
Weight: 37 lbs.
Gender: Altered Male
Location: Waterford, PA
Health: UTD, HW-, treatment for intestinal worms complete, gaining to a healthy weight
Temperament: Good with adults, unknown with children, good with other dogs, unknown with cats
Original: “Rocky had a bath in the shower when he first arrived in his foster home. . . . It’s obvious that he enjoyed this spa treatment since he even tries to get in the shower when the door is open and one of his family members is getting ready to shower!”
When Rocky’s Pennsylvania owner faced personal, work, and medical problems, she simply did not have time for him. She realized that keeping a Springer puppy tied outside and keeping him crated inside was no life for him. So, she relinquished him to MAESSR knowing he would find a wonderful new family that would give him the love, attention, training, and exercise Rocky needs.
Although he came to his foster home extremely underweight and infected with worms, Rocky is getting much better. His worms are a thing of the past and he is gaining weight eating quality puppy chow. Housetraining is going in a positive direction with Rocky. During the day if he is running around, playing hard, and drinking, his foster family keeps an eye on him at all times and lets him out frequently so he won’t have accidents. He is learning to go to the door to let his foster family know he needs to go out. At night Rocky can now be left out of his crate to sleep with the other foster and resident dogs on their foster parents’ big bed. During the day, he is still crated when his foster family is out of the house. His crate is placed right next to the other dogs’ beds so Rocky is never alone.
Rocky’s house manners are pretty good for a puppy and he has great willingness to please his people. He has been caught a few times with his front feet on the counter to check out food, but with a firm “no” he quickly got down. He is puppy-curious about the trash and will investigate and try to run off with tissues so his foster family is teaching him that trash exploration is not a good thing for Springer puppies to do. Full of puppy mischief and play, Rocky runs around a lot and chews all kinds of toys. He also tries to steal towels, clothes, and anything else he can. Hey, he’s just a puppy who needs to learn what appropriate chewing material is and what is not. Dogs are allowed on the furniture in his foster home and Rocky sometime falls asleep on the couch with his foster dad.
Although Rocky received no training in his original home, he is quickly learning basic commands and seems to have mastered “sit” and “come.” At this point, whoever leash walks Rocky has to have strong arms since he pulls very hard. This smart boy is learning not to jump up when greeting people to say hello. When riding in the car, he is pretty good being crated although he whines some. He has been on a couple short car rides outside of his crate with the other two dogs and did well. Since he does try to investigate things and get up front though, it is safest to have him restrained while on car trips. Please note that MAESSR only places puppies in homes that are committed to training and bonding with the pup in obedience classes. Puppies require a lot of care, attention, and patience, and they do chew on things! The decision to get a puppy and raise it to be a healthy, happy, and well-adjusted dog is a serious commitment. To reinforce this commitment, MAESSR requires all adopters of dogs under 1 year old to enroll their puppy in obedience classes within 60 days of adoption. Rocky and his future family will really benefit from these obedience classes.
Rocky needed no training to learn what to do with all of the toys in his foster home. Play, play, play, play, play! He loves to chew on real bones, balls, rubber bones, and stuffed toys which he promptly tries to de-stuff! When his foster family member join in Rocky’s games, he loves to chase the ball and is pretty good about bringing it back so the game can continue. The two other Springers are his good play buddies and they all love to chase and wrestle. Rocky follows them around outside on the property and does whatever they are doing. Although his foster family does not have cats, they do have horses. Rocky is very interested in them but does not go after them or bark at them. This smart puppy keeps his distance but loves to go to the barn and help do chores! Good boy, Rocky! At mealtime he is fed in his crate so he can have time to eat where the other dogs are not trying to help him finish. For treats, he sits right next to the other dogs and waits to be given his. Rocky does not guard any resources; he’s willing to share with anyone!
Although his puppy coat has not required any professional grooming yet, Rocky had a bath in the shower when he first arrived in his foster home due to a potty accident in his crate while he was being transported. It’s obvious that he enjoyed this spa treatment since he even tries to get in the shower when the door is open and one of his family members is getting ready to shower! When his nails were trimmed, Rocky was pretty patient with this new pedicure. Ear cleaning brought another positive response from this cute pup. A big hit at the vet, Rocky got to hang out behind the front desk with the office staff on the day he was neutered. They loved him just as he loved them! Such a bundle of puppy love!
Sweet Rocky will soon be ready to move to his forever home where he would love to have at least one other dog to play with and lots of room to run. Does your family has the commitment to shower Rocky with love, attention and the time to train and exercise him so that he will be a happy, well-adjusted adult Springer? If so, inquire about Rocky today!