Entered: 06/30/2013
Status: Adopted
Age: 2
Color: Black/White
Weight: 47 lbs.
Gender: Altered Male
Location: Fayetteville, WV
Health: UTD, HW-, benefiting from a supplement to encourage calming, treatment for whipworms complete, overall good health
Temperament: Good with adults, unknown with children, good with other dogs, mild interest in crated cats
Update 08/27/2013: “As much as Tucker can be in one’s face, he loves to have his face stroked. It’s better than belly rubs for this dog.”
Young Tucker remains a healthy, high energy boy with a heart of pure gold. He’s an almost “over-the-top” Velcro boy too. Since Springer families expect this, he’s a lucky dog. With extended time in his foster home, he still takes no movement of his foster mom for granted. With daily off leash exercise, he isn’t bouncing off the walls but, if his foster mom moves, Tucker moves too………….even if it’s a few feet! If she bends down to pick up something, he’s likely to lay a quick kiss on her face; he’s always that close. Diminished from full face washes when he first arrived, this counts as progress. One may not realize how many times they bend down in a normal day until living with Tucker!
Tucker is slowing realizing that he doesn’t need his “shelter voice” to get the attention he craves. There are predictable times when he is going to become excited and some barking is simply personal expression for this boy. There are other times when he needs to be a little more patient and he’s getting there. An example……..he’s crated between 2 mellow springers while his family is at work. When his family arrives home, the first thing to happen is dogs being let out. Tucker typically begins barking intensely when his family walks in the back door and continues while the 2 quiet dogs come out of their crates and step out the back door. Tucker has learned that he doesn’t get out until he sits quietly too. In the last week or two, he can do that and is becoming much easier to live with……….yeah for Tucker!
With altering his need to mark indoors stopped. Tucker’s been completely trustworthy with normal outings for weeks. His sign is to nose his foster mom when he needs to go out. His leash work is coming along. In the quiet of the yard and woodlot at home, his Gentle Leader isn’t needed but, if out in public where there are many distractions, it’s a definite aid.
Another of Tucker’s achievements is his “stay.” With his supper as the distraction, he will “sit” and “stay” with distance (his foster mom across the kitchen with her back to him) and duration (sometimes up to a minute.) He’s learned that a “thumbs up” is his release or the word “OK” works too.
It’s just been in the last few weeks that Tucker has begun playing with the resident Springers. He’s a tough competitor when wrestling now and can keep up with the fastest dog when chasing. He seems to be thinking it’s fun to play now.
Often Tucker seems younger than his estimated 2 years. He still has much to learn but his sterling temperament makes working with him absolutely worth the time. He should soon be ready for an adopting family to take over training where his foster family leaves off. Obedience classes with him would be a great way to move him forward. Patience and consistency will be rewarded in his understanding what is being asked of him. While he enjoys walks, Tucker has enough energy that he will need off leash opportunities daily, so a fenced yard or access to perhaps a dog park is a must.
As much as Tucker can be in one’s face, he loves to have his face stroked. It’s better than belly rubs for this dog. It’s great for his people too as they get to focus on his beautiful eyes and expression. Tucker is headed in the right direction. Could it be into your home next?
Original: “He is just very excitable with strangers and will lay rapid-fire kisses on any face within his reach.”
After a month in an Ohio shelter, 2 days in his rescuer’s home, 2 days in a condo awaiting transport and long hours on the road, young Tucker became a MAESSR boy. He had enough energy stored up to keep him moving 150 miles per hour for days in foster care. Thankfully, he’s beginning to slow down and his soft, easy-going disposition is emerging. He’s a sweet, lanky, and largely untrained Springer with a bright future.
Tucker is receptive to learning good manners and commands. During the first few days, he was oblivious to the best of treats but that is past. He will sit beside his canine housemates for pre-dinner and bedtime snacks and will take his turn…….most of the time. He has learned that going through a door after his human works best. The meaning of “watch” and “wait” are taking hold. Tucker goes fairly easily to a crate and relaxes in one. Excitement overtakes him when someone approaches to let him out, though, so the release itself is an exercise in patience. He’s beginning to see that he needs to sit quietly before the door will open. Tucker is crated when his family is at work and has just moved from his crate to the gated bedroom for nighttime.
It’s a little hard to say if Tucker is housetrained because he has been quite insistent on attempting to mark. Belly bands have gradually diminished those efforts since his arrival; altering as well as stability is expected to further extinguish his desire to define territory with a lifted leg. He will countersurf but is finding that unproductive, so attempts are less frequent. He will stand right in front of his foster mom at times and bark with a big outdoor voice. As long as the water bowl is full, meals are on time, and he’s been out recently, he’s usually ignored. As soon as he tones it down and sits, he gets lovin’s. This is nice progress for Week 1!
There are 3 Springers in Tucker’s foster home. He lives peacefully with them but hasn’t made one his buddy. He declines play bows from the youngest and has accepted clear instruction from the senior that Tucker is not to get in his face. Tucker has tried to displace the middle dog from the favored lounging spot beside the desk without success, so Tucker snoozes a few feet away. He encountered many pets when visiting the vet and was eager to meet them but most declined his overly-energized overtures. Tucker isn’t aggressive; he is just very excitable with strangers and will lay rapid-fire kisses on any face within his reach.
Tucker was a little wary during his vet exam but accepted the handling with patience. He’s in good health with minor short term issues remaining. He will complete treatment for whipworms in a few weeks and receive a Lepto booster. He could carry a few more pounds and with the intestinal worms gone, that should happen easily. His teeth are awesomely white, his curly coat is shiny and he has clean ears. He’s been on a grooming table once and is set for a bath and manicure this week. His curly locks will be fun to lather up and do some trimming on.
Tucker likes being outdoors and has a fenced yard to run in. He also enjoys sniffing his way through the woodlot. He slipped out of his foster mom’s hands once in the woods and went about 10 feet before turning to see if she was coming. Good boy, Tucker!! When in busy public places, he gets excited and managing him can take two hands. To further his training he’ll be introduced to a Gentle Leader head harness. With some daily work, he may be ready to visit the local pet store to do his own shopping before long!
Tucker is a diamond in the rough. His energy level is typical for his age. With daily exercise, he’s easy to live with. His trainability is a given. He simply needs and deserves an active family that is willing to work with him. Though not a requirement, obedience classes would be the perfect way to continue what is starting in his foster home. And, of course, loving Tucker and assuring him he will never land in a shelter again will make him a happy boy. Tucker is as beautiful on the inside as he is handsome on the outside. If you’re ready for a young adult ESS and are willing to invest a little time, Tucker will pay back for a lifetime. Keep an eye to his progress. He won’t take long to find his perfect match………………