Entered: 11/12/2017
Status: Adopted
Age: 7
Color: Liver/White
Weight: 35 lbs.
Gender: Altered Female
Location: Silver Spring, MD
Health: UTD, HW-, overall good health
Temperament: Good with adults, nervous with young children, good with indoor dogs, chases cats
Update 11/28/2017: “She is smart, funny, and playful, with a variety of vocal sounds including a woo-woo sound to let her foster parents know if her food service is too slow, she sees leftovers on the stove that must be for her, and that her tennis ball has rolled into a hard-to-reach spot.”
One of the joys of fostering is seeing a dog’s personality emerge as the dog becomes more comfortable in a foster home. Skye has loads of personality! She is smart, funny, and playful, with a variety of vocal sounds including a woo-woo sound to let her foster parents know if her food service is too slow, she sees leftovers on the stove that must be for her, and that her tennis ball has rolled into a hard-to-reach spot. She clearly expects her foster parents to correct each situation. Skye will growl fiercely to encourage someone to take the tennis ball out of her mouth or chase her around the yard.
This middle-aged beauty enjoys the quick treat for doing tricks and has added high-five to her repertoire. She is working on wave. Her foster mom intersperses more serious training with trick training, and Skye can now hold a respectable stay in the house and yard. Her foster mom is working to transfer this skill to exiting a car since Skye’s inclination is to launch herself out the door as soon as it opens. However, she does not run out doors or run past her foster parents on the stairs, further indications of having been well-trained at some point.
Her foster parents are taking Skye to numerous places to see how she responds. On the local jogging path, she was very comfortable with walkers and joggers and bikes and strollers. She has visited the dog park twice so far, and, while she hasn’t engaged in play yet, she has greeted other dogs appropriately and explored the park.
Miss Skye can be leash aggressive. This shortcoming can be corrected over time with positive training, a lot of treats, and the right harness. She does walk daily with another dog. An Easy Walk harness has significantly decreased her leash pulling…unless a rabbit or squirrel dares to cross her path.
Skye did very well with adult holiday guests. Due to their arrival, Skye and her foster parents reached a nighttime agreement. Skye is now happily and quietly sleeping in the master bedroom, but must remain on the floor. She still prefers chairs to the floor or, better yet, someone’s lap.
This love is sure that she is royalty; are you ready to serve the princess and make her routine part of your holiday season? She’ll be a wonderful snuggler in front of the Christmas tree or when cold winds blow.
Original: “She is thrilled when a leash appears and signals a walk, doing a little tap dance with her feet while she is leashed up.”
Skye became a MAESSR dog at the request of a Pennsylvania shelter whose staff found her wandering a local park in her pink collar.
This petite, lovely girl has clearly been someone’s princess in the past. She is housetrained and will circle at the door to indicate she wants to go outside. She knows “sit,” “lie down,” “paw,” “come,” “car “(go to and into) and “crate up.” She believes her rightful place is on the furniture and in the big bed. Her small size prevents her from being a serious counter-surfer, but she will put her paws on the counter to observe what’s cooking. Since the cook needs no more critics, her foster mom is strongly discouraging this behavior and Skye’s claims on furniture.
Skye’s foster parents also are encouraging her to spend a full night sleeping in her crate when she’d rather sleep with them. During the day, Skye has full run of the house if the family is home and is gated into the kitchen area when they are out. She loves to play chase with a tennis ball and tug.
A typical Velcro Springer, Skye follows her foster family from room to room. The one exception is when she hears water running in the tub—at which point she becomes the amazing disappearing dog! While she hasn’t had a bath yet, Skye enjoys grooming and has no problems with having her ears and feet handled. One of her favorite activities is having her belly rubbed by anyone who comes to visit. She was the perfect lady at her veterinarian appointment and passed her health check with flying colors. She also politely greeted all the very big dogs in the waiting room and their owners.
Skye will run to the car and enjoys her rides. Given a choice, she would help drive but is learning how to ride in the passenger seat. She is thrilled when a leash appears and signals a walk, doing a little tap dance with her feet while she is leashed up. Her leash manners need work. She will pull, particularly when she sees a squirrel or rabbit. While indoor dogs seem acceptable, she may bark and lunge at dogs on the street. If the other dog remains calm, Skye will settle down and approach for a proper greeting. The shelter reported that she played well with other dogs.
Watch for more information about Skye as her foster parents get to know her better. Ideally, this little princess will have a new kingdom to rule before the new year. She’s going to make someone a lovely companion.