Special Home needed for Adorable Small Dog

Olympia WA

Description

This is an adorable neutered male pug /dachshund /chihuahua mix, who is approximately 5 years old. He loves to lie on your lap for hours, and is a loyal companion. He’s fully house trained and doesn’t chew on things other than an occasional toilet paper roll. He is good with cats and other dogs. He was adopted from the animal shelter 3 ½ yrs. ago by my elderly mom. He was a stray and had significant trust issues, but has gained a lot of trust with the people he knows and is very sweet and affectionate with his extended family. Due to health reasons my mom was no longer able to care for him and he has been living with her caregiver (who adores him) for the last 6 months. However, he has nipped one stranger and bitten two strangers due to his anxiety with people he doesn’t know, so he can no longer live where he is because fenced yards are not allowed in the senior park where the caregiver resides. In hopes of not having to euthanize this loving little dog we are looking for a special home. We are not trying to pass on a problem dog in order to not face the difficult decision to euthanize him but rather just give a full effort to finding another option if there is one to be found. Failing that, we will do what is necessary. An ideal home would be where he can be indoors and in a securely fenced yard at all times rather than out walking on a leash close to strangers, as he is not safe in public with people he does not know. This owner should be someone without young children, with previous experience owning a dog and comfortable with behavior management, and not so elderly that they cannot manage an 18-pound dog that can be excitable. They should have basic dog training knowledge and be willing to work with a dog trainer or behaviorist. We recently started him on an anti-anxiety medication that will hopefully help reduce his anxiety with strangers. This medication is not too expensive, and is likely going to be needed in his life. We will require a home visit to ensure this will be a safe, positive and appropriate environment for him. If you’re interested, please e-mail me thorough CL about how you would be able to manage this dog safely, what your experience with dogs is, and why you are interested in adopting him. If an appropriate home is found we have lots of dog equipment to go with him. There is no adoption fee but there will be costs needed for veterinary support for medication assessment and training with a professional trainer. Please understand that we have the dog’s best interests at heart, and reserve your comments about how this situation should be handled if you are not able to help.