Available - Duke

Socialization/Training: Duke wasn't feeling good when he arrived as he's being treated for different things so we haven't done a lot of training. When he arrived he didn't know any commands and didn't know his name. His recall is a work in progress and he's made some good strides. As he continues to feel better we will work more and more with him on training. He gets along well with the other three resident dogs. They sleep on the same couch, eat together in the kitchen. He has not had any accidents in the house in a couple of weeks, but we have also not left him alone in the house for any extended period. He does very well with people too. I've been taking Duke to work with me and he does great in the office for a couple of hours at a time. He usually lays down and sleeps. Crate/House Trained: Duke is not crazy about going into his kennel. Once inside he barks for short periods of time and then settles down quickly. He keeps his crate clean but gets to spend most of his time in the fenced in back yard. Leash Trained: Duke is a complete gentleman on a walk and walks on a leash very well. He will stop and look at squirrels and birds and leaves blowing down the street but he rarely pulls. He really just likes to watch. Activity Level: Duke is probably the lowest energy setter I've come across. He does like to trot around the yard occasionally but he spends most of his time sleeping. Some of this may be due to his infections, but although he is feeling better, he still likes to sit and relax rather than running and chasing. He tested our fence and was able to point out the weak spots that our other setters had missed. But once these were fixed he has not shown the slightest interest in escaping. Fence: As Duke starts to feel better and better he is showing more energy each day, but he still prefers to stand on the deck and watch the birds in the yard, so a fenced yard is not a requirement for him. He would also do well in a home with an exercise plan being leash walked. If his adopter has a physical fence, he will test the fence to show you any spots he might want to crawl under but he has never attempted to climb a fence. I think he's smart enough to do well on an invisible fence. Behavior: Duke is a great dog and loves to be pet. He likes to be around his people but he is not a lap dog. He will sit and let you pet him and pet him but then he prefers to go lay down rather than jump in your lap. Duke does not like to walk on wet grass. He is very hesitant to go outside after it's been raining. He prefers being inside and watching birds out the window. This lasts for five to ten minutes and then he's asleep. In the yard he prefers to watch birds from the safety of the deck rather than walk on that icky wet grass. When it's dry out Duke likes to explore the yard. Medical History: Duke is recently neutered, microchipped, up to date on all shots, and on monthly heartworm and flea and tick prevention. Duke is a gentle old soul that came from a horrible situation. When he arrived, he was undernourished so much so that he was just skin and bones. He was infected with a couple of tick-borne illnesses and his teeth were in really bad shape. He also had an infection in the corner of his mouth. He is being treated for his illnesses. He had a total of 20 teeth pulled during his neuter surgery. All of his front teeth were worn down to the gums and the pulp was showing. This is probably from being locked up in a kennel and trying to chew his way out. He does not try to chew at our fence or at his kennel. His canines showed such horrible decay and gum disease that they had to be removed as well. His removed teeth do not stop him from eating. He has a good appetite and is gaining weight. We have been feeding him soft, canned food. Foster comments: Duke absolutely loves head scritches from his people. He will sit there and let you pet him for long periods of time. He is a kind and affectionate boy. Duke could be a solo dog or he would also do well in a pack. This sweet, gentle, old soul just needs a loving forever home to forget about his horrible past! Foster Location: LeRoy, NY V 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 $50.00 for the required Certificate of Veterinary Inspection (Health Certificate). 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.