Entered: 05/15/2011
Status: Adopted
Age: 2
Color: Liver/White
Weight:
Gender: Altered Male
Location: Goochland, VA
Health: UTD, HW-, benefiting from medication to assist with anxiety, good in all other areas
Temperament: Good with people as young as 10, good with other dogs, does not like cats
Original:
Tucker’s original family ran a daycare center in Maryland. Unfortunately, the family used a shock collar on Tucker any time they felt he was doing something wrong. Not surprising then that Tucker became very anxious because he was not sure why he was being shocked. Fortunately, he moved to a temporary home that worked wonders with this sweet boy. With patient and positive guidance, Tucker came to understand that a collar was not a bad thing. A short time later, he became a MAESSR boy.
Tucker is an extremely sweet, fieldy boy that LOVES to chase the ball. He can play ball for hours. He will continuously drop a ball at your feet…….into the dryer when you are folding clothes…….into the dishwasher when you are loading it……anywhere he can get you to play with him. Given his love of fetching and the normal needs of young springers for daily exercise, Tucker would do well with a fenced yard in his adopting home. He is housebroken and has some obedience training. He rides easily in a car and walks nicely on leash. Tucker will countersurf if given an opportunity but responds well to being told NO.
When meeting new people Tucker is a little hesitant. In his original home he would be shocked if he went toward people too fast or barked or jumped on them. The message that he learned from this was “New people make me get shocked.” Now Tucker is quickly learning that new people are good and that frequently they are carrying treats for him or will throw his ball for him. To help with anxiety as he learns how good life can be, Tucker has been started on an inexpensive medication. His foster mom is very hopeful that this will only need to be continued for 6 months or so, until he can learn to live in a world without fear of being shocked.
Tucker’s life is brightening daily and the best is yet to come. More to come as he progresses.