Tommy 2

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Update 08/20/12:

Having had some time to settle, Tommy is showing more and more of his fun-loving side. He is playing with toys, chewing bones, and will even engage in a little game of ball. Recently he surprised his foster mom by actually bringing the ball back a few times. He has taken quite a liking to the baby pool too. He loves to splash!

Tommy’s list of “needs work” includes leash-walking, jumping up, and getting comfortable around new people. He has been on many two-to-three mile hikes and hasn’t gotten the idea of leash walking down pat yet, but he knows he’ll be a star in puppy kindergarten come fall with his new family! Tommy’s foster mom works diligently to curb Tommy’s jumping. At times, he does stop himself but he’s a work in progress – and at times, youthful impulse still reins. As far as meeting new people, if they would ignore Tommy, he would be over to meet them in a flash. His foster mom has been having quite a time, though, with getting new people to do as she asks! For some reason, the concept of making believe the dog isn’t there is very foreign to most people…….:)).

His foster mom has discovered that Tommy has a fear – he is very afraid of loud noises and loud trucks that go by when he’s outdoors. His instinct is to run, so a firm grip on the leash is necessary. Counter-conditioning for this is underway. His foster mom takes him outside at work where they can just sit for a few minutes at a time while she feeds him goodies as big trucks go by. This is something his adopting family may need to continue with him too. 

This gorgeous boy is incredibly loving and attached to his people. He likes to snuggle up and will sit on a lap if given the chance. Tommy will relax for hours and hours when getting loved on, and, it is so pleasurable to pet his soft, thick coat. In fact, he wants attention so bad that sometimes he squabbles with one of the male resident dogs who is also attached to his foster mom.

Tommy is looking for that special family who has the time and the patience to help him navigate his new life. Are you looking for a new best friend?

Original:

Tommy and his father, Jaunty, came to MAESSR foster care from a Maryland shelter. They had been relinquished to the shelter by a backyard breeder with too many dogs. Flea infested and none too clean, he wasn’t too comfortable with being bathed, but he tolerated a home grooming. Tommy is, however, an absolute gem during ear cleaning; he doesn’t mind repeated attempts to get his ears really clean. This pretty boy, estimated to be 9 months old, weighs in at 42 pounds of cuteness.

Since Tommy was living in less than ideal conditions, he had a few rough days trying to make sense of the wonderful new life MAESSR gave him. He has since adjusted and now is growing comfortable with sounds, people, walks, toys, cars, indoor living, etc. Shy when meeting some new adults, Tommy enjoys children. His human foster siblings are 13 and 14 years old, and he does very well with them. Since his puppy excitement causes him to be jumpy and a little mouthy, he would do best with children about 10 and older. His foster family is working on shaping more acceptable behavior.

In order to increase his exposure to new people, Tommy is taken to work with his foster mom and to doggie day care with one of the resident dogs. On his first day at work, Tommy shook like a leaf when the office staff came over to greet him. He is much more comfortable if people ignore him and let him come to them when he’s ready. Every day he is more and more comfortable and actually makes a few strolls around to get treats, hugs, and pets. Everyone at work looks forward to the days when Tommy comes. He is a perfect dog to bring to work since he is quiet and sits under his foster mom’s desk. Even the couriers that stop by for deliveries are happy to spoon feed Tommy a little peanut butter! Tommy also is doing very well at doggie day care. He is no longer overwhelmed; he plays nicely with the dogs and is good with the staff. Brief stays in temporary foster homes with cats indicate that he would do fine if felines were part of his new family.

Tommy came to MAESSR with a urinary tract infection, so accidents occurred at first. With his infection cleared up, he is doing very well with his housetraining for a young boy who probably never lived in a home. He is kept on a puppy schedule where his foster mom takes him out every few hours and waits to see him take care of business. Tommy doesn’t yet have a signal to let his people know he wants to go out. At night he is crated, because one of the resident dogs doesn’t want Tommy on the bed and he and Tommy had a discussion about that! Although Tommy doesn’t want to go in the crate, he complies with a treat and sleeps quietly after a few moans. When his foster parents go out for an hour here and there, Tommy isn’t crated. He hasn’t gotten into any trouble, proving himself trustworthy.

For a boy that is both very young and hadn’t lived in a home, Tommy is doing well with his manners. He does jump up to checkout counters, but accepts correction. He also investigates the trash container if possible, but leaves it when asked. Following the lead of the resident dogs, he gets up on the furniture. Toilet lids are closed since he considers them drinking bowls. Speaking of drinking, Tommy’s a bit of a sloppy drinker… quite a bit ends up on the floor! Leash-walking is a work in progress as Tommy will wander to the left, right, and behind; he hasn’t quite figured out that walking straight ahead is the way to go! On the positive side, Tommy doesn’t chew inappropriate objects. He is not much of a barker, hasn’t been seen digging, probably wouldn’t jump a fence, doesn’t resource guard food or toys, and is a moderate energy level boy. He sits very politely, without a reminder, for a treat. Way to go, Tommy! This very Velcro pup is extremely tuned into his foster mom, keeping track of her every move and going to her often for reassurance and comfort. With proper training, he should be a star student once he learns what his people expect of him.

It is important for potential adopters to understand that MAESSR only places puppies 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 under one year old to enroll their puppy in an obedience class within 60 days of adoption. Tommy will thrive in his new home with this important puppy training.

Tommy’s foster mom thinks that toys weren’t a part of his previous life because he seldom played with any toys at all when he first arrived. He has since begun chewing a synthetic dog bone and sometimes carries a stuffed toy around. Occasionally he takes the stuffed toy outside for a run and then tosses it up into the air. Tommy might run if a ball is tossed, but doesn’t understand the game yet. He will go out on a critter chase with the other dogs, but his foster mom doesn’t think he is in the least bit interested in the critter; the real fun is joining the other dogs in a run. On one trip to doggie day care, his foster mom’s van passed about a dozen geese. The other dogs went wild barking, the geese took off, and Tommy never made a peep. A closer encounter with geese while on a walk resulted in only mild interest from Tommy, so his prey drive does not appear high. Tommy is starting to engage the resident dogs in play. He has a spirited style with lots of bouncing around and jumping. He can get a bit rough and is corrected by the older dogs. Tommy was very attached to his dad, Jaunty, and likes to be with the dogs. Although he likes to eat close to his canine pals, Tommy eats slowly, so his foster parents keep watch to make sure that Tommy’s meal isn’t raided.

Tommy really wants a new mommy or daddy to love. Some human and canine siblings would be fun, too. He is very affectionate and loving, and probably never had a special human bond before he became a MAESSR dog. Tommy needs a guiding hand to help him grow up to be a fine adult dog, but what youngster doesn’t! His foster mom thinks he is going to totally capture someone’s heart since he is so sweet, special, and absolutely beautiful.