Size
(when grown) Large 61-100 lbs (28-45 kg)
Details
Good with dogs,
House-trained,
Spayed or Neutered,
Shots are up-to-date,
Story
Socialization/training: Grady loves everyone and everyone loves Grady. He is friendly with visitors to the home and our veterinary staff loves him. We have not seen him with small children but he is patient and gentle with an 8-year-old boy. He has excellent dog manners with large and small dogs. He ignores the neighbor dogs that run the common fence. I have observed him allowing another dog to eat out of his bowl. He is playful and would really love another dog to romp with. This would provide him with mental and physical activity. We have not observed him with cats but could get him cat tested if needed. When a dog lives his whole life in a kennel, he doesn’t always learn basic things such as come, sit, stay, leash walking, etc. So, these are things that Grady’s new family will need to be committed to helping him learn. He is a smart boy that is eager to please. But he also has a strong will. For example, we originally thought he might have hearing problems because he had no reaction when we would call him. We have since learned he has “selective hearing” and “come” is one of those things he doesn’t get. Patience, consistency and positive training will be critical.
Crate trained: When Grady first came into foster care he was crated at night and when we were away. He accepted that easily. Now the crate remains in our living room with the door open and he can come and go as he pleases.
Leash trained: This is an area in which Grady needs some training. He can be a strong puller.
Activity Level: Grady is a large, athletic, energetic dog bred for hunting which means he has a lot of energy. He currently has 2 daily exercise periods where he runs off leash in a large fenced area. He gets very excited before these activities and loves to run. Afterwards he is generally quiet in the house. As stated before, another dog to play with would help him burn off some energy.
Fence: We feel a physical 4-5 ft. fence would be important for Grady. He doesn’t dig or climb fences but if he finds an opportunity he will go exploring
Behavior: Grady is a big, sweet, high energy, loveable goofball that makes us laugh every day. He has different sides to his personality: (1) Sometimes he will sit in front of you, look at you with big, soulful eyes, and encourage you to pet him for as long as you will. We think with training he could have therapy dog potential. He can often be found on his back with all 4 feet in the air and a silly grin on his face looking for a belly rub. He loves to roll in leaves, snow, grass, and wallow in ponds. He is meticulous about cleaning himself after outdoor activities and enjoys being brushed. (2) The flip side of Grady is that he can go from 0 to 100 when out in the woods running. He was taken to a shelter because allegedly he wouldn’t hunt, but he certainly has searching instincts because he’s always moving. Perhaps Nose Games would be fun for him. Exercise will be important. Playful dog friends could help him with that energy. He loves to chase balls, but hasn’t caught on to the bringing it back part yet! (3) There is a mischievous side to Grady manifested by carrying shoes and other objects around the house. He hasn’t damaged anything yet but we are vigilant!
Medical History: Grady has no current medical issues. He is up to date on vaccinations and receives flea/tick/heartworm prevention. He is neutered. Grady came into foster care overweight at 68 pounds. His last weight was 65 and he is continuing to trim down. Just a few more pounds will get him to his ideal weight.
Foster Comments: We have fostered many wonderful Setters over the years and Grady ranks up there with the very sweetest. Our dream for him is that he will be part of an active family that will appreciate and encourage his sweet nature, be committed to manners training, and provide physical activity that meets his breeding instincts. Never again will he have to wait in a kennel for the attention he deserves. He will be a treasure to the right, lucky family. We are looking for a family that will appreciate the multifaceted personality of Grady, give him good daily exercise, work with him on basic manners and provide opportunities for regular play with other dogs. A physical fence would be best.
Foster Location: Waynesboro, 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 $75.00 for the required Certificate of Veterinary Inspection (CVI). 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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