Gender:Male
Age: 4 year
Weight: 48 pounds
Color: white/cream with pale orange ticking
Breed: English Setter
Socialization/training: Harvey missed out on many things with his previous owners. He had been tied to a tire. They became tired of untangling him is the reason given for surrendering. Harvey surely can tangle his rear leg so a plastic wrapped wire acts like a tourniquet and can manage to get a clip on the end of a wrapped wire tangled in his chest ruff so tight it pulls his skin! Any time Harvey would need to be tethered – camping, field trial, hunting – he needs careful monitoring.
He has learned sit, wait, gentle/easy when taking treats, sit to be leashed up and uses the dog door at will. When the rules and expectations are clear, Harvey does very well giving what you expect from him. He loves to ride in the car/truck and does know what a drive thru means. (Our bank gives dog treats out.)
He willingly engages in play & wants to socialize with everyone in the room. He would need an environment that supports his learning trust. He needs someone's undivided attention who can give him training to keep him busy & focused.
Harvey is appropriate in pet friendly stores but does need to be monitored with a larger male dog coming close by. He does give signals (stiffens, ears change and maintains eye contact) he is uncomfortable and may strike out. It is rare but needs to be monitored so every encounter is a positive one.
Good with Children: yes, Harvey likes kids and despite his size and ability to be over excited, he tends to curb his flying about around smaller kids. Very young kids may be knocked down inadvertently.
Good with Dogs: It's best if Harvey is an only dog. He does not get along with males his size. He does better with females and males smaller than he is, but this is not always the case.
Good with Cats: No, not good with any small animals due to very strong prey drive
House trained: yes
Crate trained: yes
Leash trained: Pretty good on a leash, he watches everything and will point at prey when walking
Activity Level: Harvey is a high energy, sweet spirited dog that likes to play ball. He will play as long as your arm can throw the ball! He is just beginning to settle in and relax for petting in the evenings
Fence: Physical fence is suggested but with patience and proper training he could adapt to invisible fencing.
Behavior: Harvey is a wonderful dog who loves people and hunting. Harvey loves affection and NEEDS to give a hug. We have worked with him so he just lifts himself carefully bearing most of his weight to wrap his paws at your waist just once then will sit at your feet so you can shower him with affection.
He has adjusted to living inside and still prefers to spend his day in the yard watching the fence line for “intruders”, playing with the smaller pups and going for daily walks. Harvey tends to pace in circles from all the years of living on a short tether tied to a tire.
Because he has become overexcited with the resident male Brittany, Harvey sleeps in a crate at night. He would love to sleep in a dog bed in our room, but we often have other male dogs his size in foster with our male Brittany so currently this is not an option.
Medical History: Up to date on vaccines, no significant medical history, neutered and teeth are much cleaner than when he first came. Dental treats have helped clean tartar off and he is adjusting to having teeth brushed with a finger cot brush.
Comments: Harvey is a gorgeous boy who is very loving and wants to do the right thing. He is patient and wants to please. Playing with smaller dogs than he is has not been an issue for him.
He would flourish with positive behavioral training & gentle trust building exercises. This would help decrease his anxiety. He wants to be a good dog but is confused about how because of the rough beginning. He would need consistency in training. This would probably be best accomplished in a home with less people. Forever parents that want to concentrate & focus attention on him. In return he would end up giving unconditional love & affection 10 fold with time & patience.
Adoption fee: $300.00
Dog Location: Reading, PA
Volunteer transport can be arranged in the Continental US within a 1,000 mile distance between adopters & foster home.
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.
