Rudy 8

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Update 04/26/2023: “Rudy absolutely loves his belly rubs! He is eager to please, and so mellow and gentle inside his home.”

Rudy was adopted by a MAESSR family that truly loved him and provided him with needed healthcare and structure to help him become the amazing Springer that he is. Unfortunately, they have discovered that Rudy’s activity level requires more than they can handle as they have two other dogs and health issues of their own.

Rudy has been called Charlie in his adopted home. His parents stress that he is an absolutely wonderful Springer, and they want to find him the perfect family he so deserves. He gets along very well with the other 11-month-old pup and their senior dog. He is calm and plays very well with his younger brother. Rudy’s nature is to play quietly and gently, which helps his young companion who can be vocal and rambunctious. He loves to cuddle with his humans and is their shadow as much as any Springer they have had.

Outside of the house, Rudy has a tremendous amount of energy that is just too much for his parents to handle. They have been working with a trainer since he joined their family in February, so his leash walking has improved a great deal. Seventy-five percent of the time on walks he is able to walk on a slack leash and responds to verbal corrections to ease any pulling.

He has worked on leash walking, socialization with other dogs, and gaining new experiences in busier places so that he becomes more confident. Rudy doesn’t have much experience with city life or going to big box stores, so he is very nervous on those outings. Rudy, his dad, and trainer have been going to a local rec center with numerous athletic fields and playgrounds to expose him to more activity. As a result, he is becoming much more relaxed.

Additional training has benefited Rudy in other ways. He now happily goes into his crate to eat and to take naps. He used to be scared to go into the car and now happily hops in. He loves his toys and LOVES playing fetch. He is sweet and truly gentle, allowing his people to take toys from his mouth, and he shares very well with his canine siblings.

Rudy absolutely loves his belly rubs! He is eager to please, and so mellow and gentle inside his home. Unfortunately, Rudy—like many young dogs—just wants to RUN, RUN, RUN ALL THE TIME, and his folks can’t keep up given their back problems. They are heartbroken to realize that the best thing for Rudy is returning him to MAESSR where he can find the perfect home.

A family that is active and will spend time with him to burn off his Springer energy will be an ideal match. Rudy has made so much progress for a young 11-month-old pup with just two months of proper socialization. He needs patience, dedication, and a lot of love. He gives so much affection and has such a sweet personality that it’s a guarantee he will be a very special and beloved addition to the right family.

Original: “Other than killing a stuffed toy or two, Rudy doesn’t chew things he shouldn’t.”  

Rudy came from a Pennsylvania breeder who hadn’t been able to sell him and his brother, Patrick. The owner contacted MAESSR to place these two puppies.  

Rudy was named by the kids who board their horses at the barn where his foster mom keeps her horse.  They noted that he has a red spot on his nose like Rudolph the Red Nosed Reindeer.  Hence, he became Rudy.     

House-training is going well for this pup with no accidents since his first few days in foster care. He’s wearing a belly band when unsupervised but that can come off soon.  It basically just reminds him to wait to urinate until he goes outside.    

Rudy HATES being crated; when enclosed, he slobbers and wants out.  Given his abhorrence to being crated, his foster parents just confine him to three rooms when they are away.  At night, he sleeps at the foot of the stairs to the foster folks’ bedroom with the resident hounds.  He’ll love that to change to “foot of the bed” once he gets his forever home.  

This sweet baby is a love bug who eats up attention he gets from people.  Rudy has good house manners so there is no trash surfing for this good boy. He hangs out on the floor while the resident dogs compete for futon space. Other than killing a stuffed toy or two, Rudy doesn’t chew things he shouldn’t.  He loves toys, especially with squeakers and he will play fetch.  

He had no concept of “leash” when he showed up, but doesn’t pull; he merely looks to his human to direct him.  He’s getting better with leash walking every day.  At the vet for neutering, he had to be encouraged to follow the person tugging his leash but figured it out quickly.  Rudy is okay in the car; however, he slobbers a bit. Car rides aren’t his favorite thing just yet.    His foster mom is trying to teach him to “sit” for treats but he just gets excited and wiggles.  When told “down” and pointed to the floor, he usually drops and acts like he’s done something wrong, looking slightly guilty. 

Note that MAESSR will require Rudy’s adoptive family to take their new family member through a series of obedience classes within 90 days of adoption.  MAESSR only places puppies – even older ones – in homes that are committed to training and bonding with their pup in obedience classes. Puppies require a lot of care, attention, and patience.  MAESSR believes the decision to get a puppy and raise it to be a healthy, happy, and well-adjusted dog is a serious commitment.  Rudy will be a star pupil!  

This handsome boy has no aggression towards the resident dogs.  Since he eats more slowly, he gets his own dining space.   Rudy loves playing chase with the resident sight hound, though he cuts corners on her longer loops.  A temp-foster puppy, 5 months old, came to stay a few days and Rudy “borrowed” the new guy’s toys when he could get away with it. 

At grooming time he is confused by brushing but loves the attention.  Rudy displays no resource guarding (other than quiet toy theft), nor food aggression.  His humans can handle his feed, ears—whatever– and he thinks it’s all great.  He probably likes to swim since he decided to hunker down in a baby pool and drink, but hasn’t had a creek visit yet.  

Rudy’s ideal home would have folks to give him lots of attention and maybe another dog companion.  He’s so mellow for his young age and his full tail wags like a metronome when a person looks at him, much less gives him a kind voice.  Rudy is going to make someone a wonderful new friend.