Entered: 05/18/2019
Status: Adopted
Age: 5
Color: Black/White
Weight: 68 lbs.
Gender: Altered Male
Location: Ewing, NJ
Health: UTD, HW-, treatment for ear infections completed, treatment for prostate infection completed, attained a healthy weight
Temperament: Initially apprehensive with people, good with other dogs, unknown with cats
Original: “He is truly a gentle giant, who loves affection, attention, and having his belly rubbed. In return he gives wet, sloppy kisses that will wash an entire face!”
Whiskey came into MAESSR’s care when he was relinquished due to his owner’s terminal illness. Whiskey was raised on a farm in New Jersey as a gun dog and lived in a kennel like situation with a huge fenced in area in which to run and play. He lived in a safe, protected environment, but had very little interaction and socialization with people, other dogs and the outside world.
And so, this love is frightened of new people coming in the house. He will run from them and hide but after a while, on his own terms, he does come out and warms up to visitors. He is very frightened of sudden and fast movements and loud and unfamiliar noises. Whisky is exhibiting some territorial marking in this foster home which hopefully will be eased with his pending neutering.
For a Springer, Whiskey is not a typical dog; he is very mellow and not over the top with energy. He is not a vocal Springer, either; he has not really barked since taken in. He was bred to be a gun dog, hence his large size. He is truly a gentle giant, who loves affection, attention, and having his belly rubbed. In return he gives wet, sloppy kisses that will wash an entire face!
This handsome fellow has no idea what table food is and usually sleeps while it is dinner time in the house hold. He seems not to like fancy dog treats or dog beds for that matter! Whiskey has discovered the futon in his foster home and that’s his new favorite place where he can be found most of the time. He interacts well with the two resident dogs. He is a little intimidated by the alpha female since she is the one who lets him know she is in charge.
Whiskey is housetrained with the exception of territorial markings and sits in front of the door quietly to let his folks know when he has to go out. He is gated in the kitchen when his family is not home and sleeps near their bed at night. He has surprisingly good house manners—no counter-surfing, trash diving or inappropriate chewing for this fellow—what a guy!! He loves his ball and enjoys sunning himself on the family’s porch.
Whiskey knows “no” and “come.” He needs work on walking on the leash. Since he was kept in a kennel like environment with a fenced in area he was not privy to walks. He does pull at times, weaves in and out and is startled/frighten by any loud noises and unfamiliar sounds to him as well as quick movements around him. He is afraid of people he meets on his walks, cowers, and tries to hide from them.
Whiskey is a joy to have in the house! He wants to be with his person at all times. He loves to cuddle and loves affection. He interacts well with his household as well as with the two resident small dogs. He has become quite comfortable initiating play with them and they with him. Whiskey is oblivious when it comes to his stature. He does not realize how much bigger he really is compared to them. He is a gentle giant.
This guy was good at the groomers although he was timid and frightened of any quick, sudden or loud noises. At the vets he showed no aggression to other animals and was not bothered by their presence around him. And, this wonderful fellow loves car rides!
Whiskey lived a very sheltered and secluded life on the farm with not a lot of interaction with people or sounds. His forever home should be with a family who is home more than not and that is willing to give him the time and dedication he needs to be exposed to and familiarized with people, new surroundings, his environment, and all the new and strange sounds that come along with these things. He should be placed with an extremely patient family that can help him with these behaviors and give him a lot of love and encouragement.