Foster Dog Location (city): Poquoson VA
Gender: F
Age/weight: approx. 5yr, 38lb
Spayed/Neutered: Unknown. We suspect not as there is no visible evidence of a spay scar, yet she also hasn’t had an obvious heat cycle since coming into our care in March 2024.
Basic intro/highlights: Her history as we know it – she and her daughter Bella lived with a gentleman who passed away. They were taken in by his daughter before being surrendered to a shelter in March 2024. She was heartworm positive, afraid of everything, did not want to be touched, and would not take treats. With a lot of patience and liver treats, she has come around and has become quite a beggar and will jump onto the couch for cuddles and follows her fosters everywhere. Her heartworm treatment was completed in October, and has had no health issues since.
General Activity Level: She is content to just lay around the house but gets very excited when she is outside and would love to run. She is much more active since released from the restrictions of her HW treatment.
Interaction with dogs: She is good with other dogs but doesn’t really interact with them.
Interaction with cats: Unknown
Interaction with children: She was introduced to a couple of quiet 8–10-year-olds and was fine.
Physical fence required? Yes. She is a flight risk and must be secured in a fence or always held on leash. She is currently in a foster home with an open border and is always walking on leash in the yard. She graduated to a 30 ft. leash to give her more freedom and flexibility and to train on recalls.
Is physical fence an absolute requirement, or flexible? Yes, a physical fence is required or a firm commitment to keep her leashed. Star has demonstrated her ability to escape – we feel it is likely due to her skittish nature, which is improving, On the occasion she has gotten loose from her foster, she either runs to the door or will return to them if they sit and sweet talk quietly to her. Star will come with a Fi tracking collar for peace of mind.
How many hours are they able to be left alone? She is currently left loose in the house with 2 other Goldens up to 6 hours daily, and 7 hours twice with no accidents or mischief. They all have the run of the house. She has mastered breaking out of wire crates, so an airline type is recommended.
Able to climb stairs? Yes
Health concerns: None. She will be due for repeat heartworm test in June 2025, which we expect will be negative (she was negative for microfilaria (immature heartworms) in October 2024 after her treatment was completed. Should we find that Star needs to be spayed, that will be covered by SEVA GRREAT, as it could not be done prior to completion of her HW treatment.
What basic commands are known? Reliable or still learning?
Star has just recently reached a stage where she is comfortable being worked with for training. She made lots of progress in a 3-week mini session at On Command training and may be eligible for a free class with her adopter. She understands some basic concepts like “come,” “get/stay back,” “up” ,and “go out.” And of course, “treats.”
How does he or she walk on a leash, and what do you use (collar, harness, etc.)?
She will pull hard for a few minutes when walking on a no-escape harness, but she is easy to control after settling and a few mild corrections. She is better with a collar and leash.
In need of obedience training? As above, she completed a 3-week mini session at On Command which helped her confidence. Star was comfortable around the people and dogs in the class. She would benefit from continued training and was recommended for beginner agility.
Personality and additional information:
Star has turned into a happy and curious little girl. She is very sweet and has learned to love being petted and cuddled. She still startles easily, is stressed during thunderstorms or fireworks, but recovers quickly. She would love to have a yard to run free and chase squirrels. Star has no fear of barriers or unsteady footing and would make a great agility prospect. She is not easily deterred if she wants to get over or though something.
After a rough start in life and uncertain background, she has navigated her way through heartworm treatment as a scared and frightened girl but is ready to “fly” with her forever family. Can you help her continue to build her confidence and show her how fun life can be?