About Archer

PLACEMENT REQUIREMENTS: Archer adjusts well to other dogs but can be slightly selective with other male dogs. OK with cats that are 'dog savvy' and don't linger too long to play. A fenced yard will be best as he likes and requires a lot of exercise. No small children because he's very rambunctious and may accidentally hurt them. ARCHER'S STORY: Archer, a.k.a. Archie, is a mostly white GSP with liver spots and one of the sweetest faces and dispositions you'll find. He's about 1 �%BD years old and is finally at an ideal weight (55 pounds) after being extremely thin and in poor condition when he was found and taken to a shelter. He didn't fare well in the shelter and was surrendered to ISR. He's improved dramatically, mostly because his foster mom is a Veterinarian and has been able to determine the appropriate diet and medicine Archie needs to maintain his health. Archie is currently on a special diet to treat what is believed to be a food allergy. Archie gets along great with other dogs and in a previous foster home his best friend was another male GSP. But once in a while he can be fussy about accepting other male dogs. He's not aggressive, just selective. He's curious about the cats he lives with and will chase them if they run, but he never seems to want to hurt them. Archie loves children, but since he's young, rambunctious and plays a little rough, we advise he not be homed with younger children. Children who can hold their own with a 'rough and tumble' kind of GSP will do great with Archie. He loves to play tug-of-war, will happily chase balls and can render a stuffed animal 'stuff-less' in just a few short minutes! He needs supervision when tearing into a stuffed animal because he may eat the stuffing, which could be very unsafe for him. Archie's a typical GSP in many ways and is happiest when he is with his people. He's very much a velcro GSP, but he's not demanding about it. He has two speeds, 'on' and 'off.' And when we say 'on,' we mean with an abundance of energy and playfulness! He'll need a home that can provide him with a lot of exercise to keep his energy level in check. A family that will include him in their activities, indoor and outdoor, will be the best family for Archie. We think Archie would do very well on hiking and jogging adventures. When Archie has been 'on' long enough and is ready to turn his internal switch to 'off,' his favorite activity is snoozing on the couch, or anywhere his people are. Because Archie faced a past where food wasn't forthcoming for him, his fosters say he's extremely food motivated. While this is great for training him, it's not so great for other things, such as counter surfing or hovering near his people when they're eating. Archie knows what 'go lay down' means and his fosters use that command to get him to leave the area when they're eating. He'll then go lie on the couch and watch from there. Archie also knows what 'sit' means, but he's a work in progress with other commands. He's also crate-trained and house-trained. Archie experiences some anxiety, but not anxiety caused by separation because he rests comfortably in his crate when his fosters aren't home. His anxiety seems to be triggered by fireworks and loud thunderstorms, when he's anticipating food, and/or when he wants to be with his people. No doubt the food anxiety is because in his mind he always thinks he's hungry (from being without) and wanting to be with his people is a typical GSP trait. Overall, his foster family feels these anxieties are manageable, especially if he receives the amount of exercise he needs to help him relax and move to his 'off' switch. His foster family says, 'fireworks and thunderstorms will create anxiety situations with Archie, but with large/loud fireworks medication will help and with storms (and other impromptu loud noises i.e., gunfire and smaller fireworks) he remains calm and is fine if he can lie down and sleep/be next to his people.' Archie's foster family has quickly fallen in love with this sweet boy and love so much about his personality and disposition. They tell us, 'he would love to snuggle in his family's bed, but they have too many little dogs to allow him to get up there. He gives up quickly and heads to the couch. He is an affectionate, goofy/clumsy boy and loves to be with his family. He cracks his foster dad up when he zooms by his rope toy two or three times before he grabs it.' Archer will make such a fun pet and a fantastic addition to an active, loving family. He's sweet and tries hard to please his people. Being adopted by a family that has the time and patience to help mold this young GSP into the best dog he can be, will prove to be worth your time and energy for many years to come. If you're an active family who wants to adopt a young, energetic, sweet GSP, then Archer may be the match for you! Please complete our Online Adoption Application at www.shorthairrescue.com It's the quickest and best way for us to learn of your interest

Contact

Illinois Shorthair Rescue
Hancock County
Various cities/counties, Indiana

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