Entered: 12/23/2005
Status: Adopted
Age: 2
Color: Liver/White
Weight:
Gender: Altered Male
Location: Rising Sun, MD
Health:
Temperament:
Original: Simon arrived at his foster home feeling a bit under the weather from a bout of kennel cough. With a short term medication, it is curable but can pass from dog to dog during treatment. In Simon’s case, he shared it with the resident lab, so both have been recovering together. It hasn’t slowed them down too much or kept the two dogs from hitting it off quite well.
Both dogs enjoy stealing each other’s toys. There’s only one that Simon doesn’t share as well as the others. He brought a squeaker penguin with him that is special. It’s his “blanket.” He has no problem with his foster parents taking it, but occasionally he raises his lips if his canine buddy tries for it. In every other way, he plays well with her. He will hold her off from taking his food but without a fuss. He just lets her know that his food is not fair game. Simon hasn’t shown food or treat aggression with his people at all.
He hasn’t countersurfed or tried to pick through the trash although Simon’s foster parents do not believe that it is beyond him. Enticements are simply not readily available. He is house trained and has been accident-free. He does well with crating for up to an 8 hour work day. While his foster dad feels Simon could be given run of the house, the resident dog cannot. Since it doesn’t seem fair to limit one and not the other, Simon readily goes along with what works best for both.
Like most springers, Simon enjoys being on furniture and will snuggle right up. He is very adept at slinking his way around the resident dog to get next to his foster parents. In the yard, he enjoys play and will chase anything that is thrown. Part of the time he will bring a toy back, but more often, he is easily distracted if “interesting” grass is close by. It’s suspected that Simon’s pleasure with grazing may be tied to his illness and will diminish with a little more time.
Simon knows “sit” and is working on “down.” On the leash, he pulls a bit but it is so little that he is easily managed. With training, he could be very good when out on a walk. He has taken advantage of an open door but his foster dad is quick and caught him easily. With good bonding and training on “stay”, Simon will surely improve his door manners. Since in his foster home, he has been around children, ages 3 to 15, a couple of times. He did well but does jump for attention. Further obedience training will help with this, too.
Though a bit hectic for the first few minutes, Simon settles into a good rider in the car. He will look out the window or snooze on the seat once underway.
Simon was pulled from a shelter in the Baltimore area by an all breed rescue group who contacted MAESSR. This pup needs a loving family who will welcome a loving lapdog into their home. He would enjoy run of the house and could sleep bedside or with his family on the bed. With his heart and intelligence, training Simon should be a lot of fun and easy! Living with Simon can mean a life time of outdoor play and indoor snuggling. Ready to get started?