Entered: 07/01/2015
Status: Adopted
Age: 1
Color: Liver/White
Weight: 42 lbs.
Gender: Altered Male
Location: Houston, PA
Health: UTD, HW-, treatment for skin condition complete, gaining to a healthy weight, overall good health
Temperament: Good with people as young as three, good with other dogs, unknown with cats
Original: “Scotty loves to go for long walks and for a young dog, he does pretty well on the leash with minimal tugging.”
Scotty was surrendered to a West Virginia shelter when his owners could not provide the care that he needed. He had skin dermatitis and had lost a good amount of fur on his hind end, tail, and back legs. The shelter treated this super sweetheart very well, giving him his vaccinations, deworming him and providing several medications for his skin issues. He was super friendly at the shelter and reportedly had lived with children and other dogs, doing great with both.
Before a transport could be organized, Scotty spent a week with his temporary foster family and had a great time bonding with their two dogs and winning the hearts of everyone in the household. Scotty loves his toys and his family made sure that he had several to keep him company on the trip to his longer term foster home in Virginia.
Scotty travelled for eight hours to get to his foster home–- about an hour in the crate and the rest of the way tethered in the back seat. He enjoyed watching the scenery roll by and every once in a while would punch his foster dad on the shoulder to tell him that it was time for a potty break.
This youngster has adjusted very well to life in his foster home. He patrols the back yard for birds and squirrels and lunges at an occasional butterfly. He has played with children as young as three and does very well with them. He still needs gentle reminders not to jump up, but his foster parents are working on that with him. Scotty loves to go for long walks and for a young dog, he does pretty well on the leash with minimal tugging. He’s a little hesitant when another dog approaches, but he doesn’t bark or jump – just walks on by. He loves to ride in the car and actually runs in to the garage and stands by the back door of the car whenever the garage door is opened.
Scotty’s house manners are very good. He is completely housetrained and walks to the back door when he wants to go outside. He stays in the crate when left alone, but is very eager to get out once his foster parents come home. He does survey the counter tops and almost managed to snag a piece of pizza for dinner. Needless to say, his family is working on Scotty keeping his paws off of the counter and on the floor. He sleeps in his own bed at the foot of his people’s bed, but in the morning likes to jump up for a snuggle. Scotty is very good about staying off of the furniture – just needs a gentle “down” when he forgets. He carries a toy with him wherever he goes, distributing them throughout the house. He hasn’t tried to chew anything except his tug rope and tennis ball. He has free run of the fenced-in yard, but is not allowed outside of the fence. He has not shown any interest in swimming in the pool.
Scotty knows the command “sit” at present, so he will need some obedience training. Please note that MAESSR only places puppies—even older pups like Scotty– 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 1 year old and younger to enroll their puppy in obedience classes within 60 days of adoption. Scotty will be a star pupil.
In his foster home, Scotty eats in the kitchen and has shown no evidence of food guarding. Foster family members can lift his bowl up at any time and he is fine with it. He hasn’t had to share his toys with other animals, but he lets his people take his toys without grumbling or complaint. He has not been to the groomer yet, but has had his toenails clipped and behaved very well during the process. He gets his paws wiped after playing in the wet grass and stands nice and still until he gets the ok to go in the house.
Scotty weathered his neutering well and was a well-behaved boy at the re-check appointment. The vet thinks he could stand to gain a few pounds to cover up his ribs. Also, the vet was pleased with the improvement in his skin condition as it continues to clear. No further medications will be needed for that.
Scotty’s forever family will need to provide him with training, lots of love, and a lot of exercise and activities as he loves to run in the yard and go for walks. Once he is back in the house, he is a snuggler and very laid back. Scotty is a super Springer!