Entered: 03/25/2019
Status: Adopted
Age: 3; born 12/30/2015
Color: Liver/White
Weight: 38 lbs.
Gender: Altered Male
Location: Charlottesville, VA
Health: UTD, HW-, benefitting from anti-anxiety medication, overall good health
Temperament: Good with adults, unknown with young children, growing tolerant of other dogs, unknown with cats
Update 07/17/2019: “The longer he has been in this foster home, the better Spenser does with the other dogs.”
Spenser was moved to a foster home with other dogs to see how he would do. He has done very well. There have been a couple of mild growling sessions – not always initiated by him. He stops when told, “NO.” The longer he has been in this foster home, the better Spenser does with the other dogs.
This sweet boy loves to be with his people. He is always following around one of his foster parents because he might miss something! His anxiety seems to be under control, and he is ready to find a new home.
Update 05/13/2019: “When there are other dogs walking past him, he seems to just show off and let others know what a good dog on a leash he is, as if he has not a care in the world while the other dog is going bonkers on his leash!”
Spenser is adjusting very well with his foster family. Anxiety is still an issue, but he is no longer crated when his foster family is at work and he has full roam of the house. He is very leery of the stairs and will not go up them at all. This may be due to the fact that they are non-carpeted stairs, but his foster family is not sure at this time.
His walks are two miles per day and are brisk on a short leash. He has no issues with joggers or walkers passing by on walks. When there are other dogs walking past him, he seems to just show off and let others know what a good dog on a leash he is, as if he has not a care in the world while the other dog is going bonkers on his leash!
Right now, the foster family is doing their best to keep him calm when they arrive home as he bounces off the walls and cannot keep all four paws on the floor. Hopefully with time, this daily spurt of excitability will settle.
Spenser is still receiving his anti-anxiety medication and will benefit from this long term. He is a very sweet, loving companion and wants nothing more than to be by his family’s side (consider him a Velcro dog!). Keep watching for Spenser’s progress!
Original: “This precious boy is very well-behaved in the house and loves to constantly be near his foster family.”
Spenser came to MAESSR from a Maryland household where he lived with other dogs. Spenser struggled with resource guarding, and when other dogs in his home got near his owner, he would become agitated and unfriendly with them. This behavior led to him being put on anti-anxiety medication about a year ago to subdue this behavior. However, the resource guarding persisted and his owners thought it best if he would be brought to MAESSR so that he could be placed in a loving home where he could be the only dog.
Due to the fact that he lived in a home with other dogs and did not get along with them when they tried to come near the owner, Spenser was placed in his foster home which has no other animals. He has not been exposed to cats and he has not met young children while in foster care. The youngest person in his foster family is 17 and he gets along well with this teen. He does not guard any toys or his food. His bowls are placed in the kitchen which is frequented by members of his foster family; however, he has no problem with this.
Well housetrained, Spenser has not had one accident. He has even learned how to use the doggie door in his foster family’s house. When the family must leave him alone, he is placed in a crate as his original owner did. This helps control his anxiety and calm him down since he becomes very anxious when his foster family leaves the house. Spenser sleeps on the bed right next to his foster mom at night, which came naturally to him his first night in the foster home.
This precious boy is very well-behaved in the house and loves to constantly be near his foster family. When people are right outside of the house doing noisy lawn work, Spenser pays no attention to them and goes about his own business. He does not chew anything and has not attempted to counter-surf. Although he sleeps in the bed, he knows not to get on the other furniture and has not even attempted to do so. He has tried to go up a flight of steps but seems to be unfamiliar with them as he became scared halfway through and scrambled back down. Spenser also does not beg at the table and prefers to lie underneath it to be near his people. He will jump up on people when they enter the house due to excitement; however, this behavior is being corrected.
Spenser knows basic commands such as “sit,” “stay,” “down,” “off,” and “paw.” He has been going on long walks everyday and walks very well on the leash. He does not pull and is good about staying right next to his foster mom. Spenser pays no attention to cars or birds and does well when being told to “sit” as a car approaches. Having some resource guarding traits, Spenser will become anxious when new people come near on a walk; however, this behavior does not last long. He also rides well in a car and relaxes about ten minutes into the ride.
Although Spenser will chase and return a tennis ball, he does not have an expressed interest in other toys. Spenser is a lively 3-year-old Springer, but, he does not have a high energy level and will tire quickly after a short walk.
Spenser’s former owner groomed him; therefore, his behavior towards an unfamiliar groomer is unknown. However, he loves having his long coat brushed and does not mind his feet being touched. At the vet, he was friendly towards the other dogs and people. However, when the male veterinarian entered the exam room, he grew agitated. This was solved by the vet performing Tellington TTouch Training activities in order to reduce his anxiety. This helped greatly and he calmed within 10 minutes. His foster family will continue to use TTouch techniques on him to lower his stress and anxiety levels towards new people and places.
Spenser belongs in a loving home where his owners can help reduce his stress and anxiety. He needs to be the only animal in the house and needs a low-key environment. Spenser is a real sweetheart and wants nothing more than to cuddle up next his person in bed all night.