Steve

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Update 10/30/11:

Steve is now feeling very comfortable in his new home. He has bonded well with the resident Springer spaniel who has helped Steve become less anxious when his foster parents are out of the house. 

He will sit fairly quickly now when he is at the back door waiting to go outside. When he is at the front door waiting for his walk, he is still working on being calm. Steve loves to follow his foster parents around and lie next to them, especially when they are outside working in the yard. 

Steve has been to doggie day care several times and does very well there. He does, however, become very anxious in a crate, so using a crate should be minimized. 

With his dental complete, Steve now has sparkly white teeth to show off. He has a low to medium energy level. He has a calm demeanor but still gets very energetic at times, especially when his foster parents come home. So excited by their arrival, Steve greets them with enthusiasm by bringing a toy or ball to share with them as they enter the house!!

Steve has already become an integral part of his foster family. He would fit in well with a family who wants a Springer that is sweet, loving, and loyal. His main requirements include one or two walks a day, a few minutes of quality playtime with a tennis ball or a toy, and lots of love and attention!

Original:

This beautiful fieldie came to MAESSR because his New Jersey family was unable to give him the freedom and attention that he needs. The family has two very young children whom Steve loves, but the owners felt that their busy schedule did not allow them to give him the time that he deserves. 

Although Steve is generally settling in well with his foster family, he is still going through some adjustments since this has been a significant change for him. He is very protective of his new territory and when someone comes to the door, he will bark, but then is happy to greet the strangers once he has settled down. 

Steve is housetrained but not crate trained. So, after a stroll in the yard first thing in the morning, he and the resident ESS spend time in the sunroom when their people go out. This arrangement has worked out well since both dogs are trustworthy and are past the destructive chewing age! During the night, Steve sleeps quietly on the floor in the foster parent’s bedroom. He has not shown any signs of getting into the trash but will pick out a tissue once in awhile and will counter-surf on occasion. He is not allowed up on the furniture, but he loves to lie next to his foster parents while they watch tv and likes to follow them around the house. Steve is low-key about his food and does not exhibit any food guarding from people or dogs.

This sweet, polite boy knows a few commands like sit and shake and he will sit quickly when prompted as his food is being served. His foster parents are still working with him on a quick sit before he is allowed to go outside. Steve does get very excited about his thirty minute, morning walk and must be reminded to settle down before going out. It appears that he is not used to long walks. He was initially a bit sore after this exercise but he is getting used to it. He does well on the leash during his walk, too. Since he has a low to medium energy level, one or two walks a day would satisfy much of his exercise needs. He really wants to play outside with a toy, but he is not yet chasing and returning balls when they are thrown for him. He likes to lie on the deck outside when someone is with him which relaxes him and also gives him the necessary mind stimulation as he watches the activity around him. Steve has shown no inclination to dig in the yard or to try to jump the fence. Good boy!

Steve is a great guy who would fit in well with a quiet family who can provide him with lots of love and attention. He would love it if his new people were home most of the time so they could take him on one or two long walks during the day. He would fit better with a family without children younger than ten or with a family without children who do not have a highly active lifestyle. 

This is a super boy who has much love to share!