Lucas, The First Years

Hi,
This is how Lucas looked when we first got him. He had been an outside dog and he wasn't neutered at that time.
He had been living with his rescue person for about three months, prior to us getting him. He had cherry eye and had an operation for it. Its an inner eye lid thing. It causes annoyance to the dog and looks nasty, but isn't life threatening. He was horrible the first three months. Whined, cried, and wouldn't let anyone sleep beyond 6:00am. First time out without a lease, he immediately ran next door and bit the large female dog on the head.
Wouldn't let go. My husband was so taken aback that it took him a little bit to make Lucas let go. I thought this dog is crazy. Took him back to the Vet and they couldn't find anything wrong and I should have put him in school, but could not find anyplace that could accommodate my work schedule. I started taking him for walks and we built a fence around the backyard. Both helped a little, but on the walks if he would see another dog he would start barking and acting like a psycho I took him once to a place on the lake just for dogs. I got pulled into the lake twice and he barked so much he was hoarse. They were glad to see me go. I kept taking him for walks and slowly, but surely he calmed down. I have resorted to a pinch collar. It works a little bit. He has made friends with most of his "doggy enemies" and actually seems to like cats. He doesn't mind children and especially likes them if they have food in their hands. The grand kids have learned how to handle him and he does well. The rescue person said he was a man's dog, but he's mine. I move, he moves. He has come to be much loved and I realize I will probably never be able to take him to a dog park, although maybe in another year when he is older. I love Springers, but they are a handful. Our last springer was not at all like Lucas, but he really didn't like children.
So Lucas you have found your forever home. And hopefully you will never look that sad again.

The Dog Walker