SCOTTY

Foster dog name: Scotty AB#19-049-2

Gender: Male

Age: 8 y/o

Size/Weight: Medium, 55#

Color: Mostly white with liver/orange spotting

Breed: English Setter

Socialization/training: Scotty is very submissive to other dogs/animals including all of my cats. He is naturally nervous, but showed absolutely zero aggression to male dogs and my small female dogs and settled quickly and nicely. The cats come up to cuddle him and he just kind of sits there. He has slowly taken more of an interest to the dogs as far as laying w/ them on the bed, but he does enjoy his own personal space on the dog bed as well. Keep in mind I’ve only had Scotty for about three weeks, and in my experience in time he will really warm up once trust is built. Training seems limited. He does not jump, but doesn’t yet follow basic commands. Eager to please, and already settling into a feeding routine with his bowl/space, and night time routine is very easy.

Good with Children: yes, but does get somewhat excitable, so precaution around toddlers.

Good with Dogs: Yes, no issues

Good with Cats: Yes!

House trained: Scotty came to me with never having been in a home. I personally think he’s at 95% in a very short amount of time. On a routine schedule, he actually has no issues. He drinks a lot of water so it’s just a matter of keeping an eye and learning cues as to when he needs to go out. He’s really been a breeze to house train.

Crate trained: Scotty does not do well in a crate at my house. I leave him out whenever I am home, and he stays out at night time with no issues. He doesn’t bark or get into things. When I go to work, I left him out the first week and he did nothing but the more comfortable he got I learned his love for shoes and couch cushions as his anxiety accelerated when I left him. I do believe he has some separation anxiety but am positive with routine he will settle in the crate. I do secure him in the crate before I leave and he gets worked up. He does like stuffed animals so I give him a cookie and some toys. This will be a work in progress, but again I can’t emphasize enough the progress that will be made with a routine once trust is built and he knows you’re coming home to him. Keep in mind this was a sweet boy that was left outside without a lot of attention prior to his arrival in rescue.

Leash trained: Yes, I have no issues with him on the leash. I use a retractable leash and runner leash on my property and he does well with both. He has normal pull, nothing that’s not easily handled.

Activity Level: Playful with toys, I have not yet seen a playful side with other dogs. Sometimes my resident dogs will get going with each other and just recently I’ve seen him try to get in the middle of it but he hasn’t quite figured out how to play but he’s definitely interested! When I come home from work, and when I wake up in the morning is when he is the most excitable. He has never jumped on me, but just prances and dances until he settles. 90% of the time he is curled up on the bed, or in his dog bed. He’s truly low maintenance.

Fence: Fence not required but always a plus. I think he’d love a fenced area with boundaries , he likes to be outside but actually not for an extended period of time. He does a little bird watching, a little prancing, his business and then barks to come in. He needs to be reminded that he’s not going to be left outside. I do not forsee Scotty jumping a fence.

Behavior:  Scotty found and stayed in a dog bed for the first week. Prior to his arrival in foster care he was an outside dog, so I think he really enjoyed the comfort of the dog bed. As of just a few days ago………..he discovered the human bed!!  He LOVES to cuddle on the bed, but also can easily be redirected to the dog bed. He sleeps in the bedroom with me every night and settles in – and stays there until I get up in the morning. He is very attentive in the sense that he always is VERY excited to see me upon arrival home, and loves to cuddle, but again does well sleeping in the corner if you’re busy. Not a velcro dog, but a nice mix. When he does cuddle, he – like any Setter I’ve fostered, does not have any personal space and likes to hug and kiss and does well with lots of reassurances. He is shy by nature, so he will need to be with someone that can keep giving him this reassurance. He’s very sweet. 

Medical History: Up-to-date on vaccines – next rabies vaccine due in October. Blood panel done, negative for parasites, heartworm, lyme and tick-borne illnesses. Scotty was AKC registered and has paperwork, but is neutered now although love to see the bloodlines he came from. He will be microchipped prior to adoption. Up-to-date on heartworm and flea and tick preventative. 

Foster Comments: For a dog that has spent most (or his entire life, I’m not sure) outside, Scotty has floored me with his willingness to adapt and please. It can be a bit overwhelming at my house since it’s a ‘rescue house,’ with the number of dogs and lifestyle, so I am entirely pleased with his adaptability. I’ve seen and have foster Setters from all walks of life, and this boy really just wants a routine, and a human that loves him. He seems shy at first, but with a few reassurances he warms up quickly and wants nothing more than to love his person. I do not question Scotty around anything. I have farm animals, including birds, and once shown his boundaries he just seemingly adapts to what is presented to him. I would love to see Scotty go to a low key home, another dog or even cats would be perfectly fine, but given his past ideally a person/family that can dote on him and give him lots of attention would not be disappointed in the loyal companion they receive in return. I could see him in an urban area, with dog parks and long walks in his future, or a rural area with plenty of room to run and a comfy bed at the end of a long day. He’s really going to be the perfect match for a person/family with the heart to rescue and provide a stable and warm, loving home for him.

Adoption Fee: $250.00

Foster Location:  Booneville, NY