Ziggy 2

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If you are looking for a mellow, lay at your feet and adore me Springer, please do not read on!

Ziggy was turned into a shelter in New Jersey because his family did not have time for him.  He was a kennel mate at the shelter with Charlie, who was rescued the same day.  He was smelly & dirty, matted and had a shock collar tightly around his neck.  The ride to the Perkins’ was an adventure, once we arrived both dogs were allowed to run and play with the other two springers.  They were shaved down, given a medicated bath, mats were cut away and were excellent through the entire ordeal.  Ziggy has no problem having his ears cleaned, paws trimmed  and teeth looked at.  He was a very good boy at the Vets office, and everyone raved about what a sweetheart he is.  He is now being treated for a UTI and ear infection.  At first, I wasn’t sure if he was housebroken, as he peed at least 100 times the first 2 days, but now that he is on medication for the UTI, he has not had an accident in the house.  Ziggy is crate trained and sleeps quietly there at night with the door slightly ajar.  I would think in due time, once he gets familiar with his new home, he will not need to be crated during the day.  He has been left alone during the day in his crate for up to 4 hours, he will cry for the first few minutes but will settle down.

Ziggy is 44 lbs, with long legs, beautiful markings and a silly smiling face.  His liver coat is so rich in color, he almost appears black & white.  As a matter of fact, I arrived at the shelter expecting to see  a black and white springer.  Ziggy is all puppy, running, fetching, jumping and wrestling with the resident springers.   He had a blast at the dog park and loved swimming in the pond.  He will smack his paw on the water and bite the water as it comes up……so cute!  Ziggy will chase a ball and returns it most of the time, if it goes into the pond, he puts his entire head underwater to retrieve it…..silly boy.   He jumps around in circles to get other dogs to play with him, barking & woo wooing the entire time.  Ziggy loved daycare and took a shining to the 175 #  Great Dane.

Ziggy knows sit, down and walks ok on the leash once he settles down.  His new family will be required to take him to obedience school, not only will it improve his manners, but will help form a trusting bond.  Ziggy’s past obedience training consisted of using no & a shock collar, which in turn has made him fearful of putting his collar & leash on .  He cowers to the floor, but we are working on trust and using treats instead of harsh correction.  Ziggy is responding to me and this morning, he did not cower when I put his leash on.  He needs to be restrained in the car, as he has aspirations of becoming a co-pilot, I use a doggie harness/seatbelt. 

Ziggy gets along good with the young resident springers, as they have a bit of his energy.   He is doing ok with the resident cats, but does not understand, they are not interested in playing with him.  Needless to say, he has a few scratches on his nose.  Ziggy met a 2 yr old child  and was not impressed, he wanted to continue his walk, so we did.

Ziggy should not go to a home with young children, small breed/frail dogs or cats, he would not intentionally hurt them, it is just that his boundless energy makes him a lethal weapon.  This dog does not just walk or run to get from one place to another, he will leap through the air….a superman with 4 legs!  He would be very happy to have another young male springer to burn off  his energy with and share his enthusiasm for life.

Are you ready for  Super-Zigster?