Socialization/Training: Dodger gets along well with our setters (an older male and female) and would do well in a house with other dogs. He is a bit of an attention hound and quickly approaches when our other dogs are receiving attention and tries to nuzzle his way in. He does seem to take cues from the other two dogs very readily. He is friendly and gentle with other people, children and dogs, but is not particularly interested in approaching other dogs we meet on our walks. He does not ever jump up on people. Dodger knows his name, and “sit”. He seems to really want to be a good boy, so he would do well with additional training. We have no experience with how he does with cats.
Crate/House Trained: Dodger doesn’t like the crate and cries when crated. He sleeps through the night on a dog bed next to our bed.
Leash Trained: Dodger loves to go for walks, so much so that he will shake and whine with excitement when we are getting ready to head out the door. It’s very cute. He is very enthusiastic on his twice daily walks (1-1.5 miles each) and he does pull, but will often pause if you touch him gently while walking. We expect he will get better as he has already shown a decrease in pulling. He is very interested in birds, bunnies and squirrels while on leash walks, and will pause to point and stalk if he gets near one.
Activity level: Dodger is pretty energetic and likes to run around our yard with our setter. He is also fine with chilling out, as he takes naps periodically throughout the day.
Fence: A fenced yard is required for Dodger and ideally he would also love to have a dog door to access the fenced backyard. We have a 5ft fence at our house, and Dodger has never tried to dig under it or jump over it but if the gate is left open, he will escape. He will try to chase critters but if they go outside the fence, he won’t try too hard to get them. No invisible fence for Dodger please.
Behavior: Dodger will make a loyal and affectionate companion. He loves his people and prefers to stay near them. He enjoys lying next to us on the couch and is a big snuggler and would be very happy in a home where he can do this regularly. It is very hard to believe he lived his whole life kenneled. He has adjusted remarkably quickly to house life with a dog door and fenced yard. He has 24-hour access to the dog door and yard but spends a lot of time by choice in the house with us and seems perfectly fine with long periods of down time. He really seems happy and comfortable with house life. Dodger loves affection but is also fine being at home with our other dogs and without humans present for hours at a time, and happily and gently greets us when we come back in the door.
Medical History: Dodger is neutered, microchipped, up to date on all shots, and on monthly heartworm and flea and tick prevention. He was treated with antibiotics for a parasite and was just cleared in follow-up testing. He had to have many teeth removed, but still has most of his molars and all of his canines (and absolutely no issues with eating!). Dodger’s coat is starting to fill in a bit more, and a bi-weekly bath with conditioner helps his coat to stay soft.
Foster comments: Dodger is a sweet little bean. When he is excited, he sometimes lets out some setter roos and he sometimes roos to greet us when we come into the room or when he is excited to go on a walk. He does not bark very much at all. We have only heard him bark occasionally when he has chased a squirrel up a tree in the backyard or has found a bird nest, so he will be a very good neighbor dog. He sometimes steals our daughter’s socks. We find them in various rooms of the house, unharmed, if a little damp. He is ready to love you and will be a wonderful addition to your family!
Foster location: Blacksburg, VA
Volunteer transport can be arranged in the Continental US within a 1,000-mile distance between adopters & foster home. If interstate transport is provided for your adopted dog, there will be an additional charge of $50.00 for the required Certificate of Veterinary Inspection (“Health Certificate”). Typically, we are able to transport your adopted dog to within 2 hours of your home. *Dogs can be adopted outside the 1000-mile transport distance; however, adopters must be willing to either fly their adopted dog, drive to a location within the 1000-mile transport range, or make independent transport arrangements for their adopted dog. Transports to far Western states, from Eastern states, may have additional restrictions.
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