Need help for troubled dog-free to right home

Bullhead City AZ

Description

I agreed to take in this sweet little guy less than a week ago supposedly because he wasn't getting along with their other dogs. I'm elderly and have crippling arthritis-so was looking for an animal that would be good company and fun to play with. He is all of those things, but he has a big problem with strangers. Until he is comfortable with someone, he barks a lot and acts like he is going to snip. Within hours of getting home he had already bonded to me to the point where I could literally do anything to him and since that time he has never shown even the tiniest amount of aggression toward me. It's the darnest thing-he absolutely is the most affectionate, friendly, cute & funny character once he knows you. It's like living with Jekyl & Hyde. I'd been a cat person for the last 20 years and thought perhaps a small happy dog would be a nice change. At first I thought it was something I could handle, but I now realize I'm in way over my head. I'm afraid he's going to get caught in my cane and accidentally knock me over. Working with him is going to take someone a lot younger and agile who knows what they are doing. I'd feel awful if he managed to slip past me at the front door and ended up biting someone if he thought they were being aggressive in return. I was told he's around a year of age. Of course they didn't get him any shots or get him fixed. I suspect he's been mistreated by someone to the point where this is the end result. Poor thing. If I were 30 years younger or could move faster I'd be up to this- but between my health and age I fear I'd be doing him more harm than good. He's potty trained, has a good appetite-eats kibble. Looks and acts very healthy. Wiggles a lot-so hard to measure but approx 21" long and 9" tall to his back. Lightweight little guy. He absolutely loves chasing the red dot til he practically passes out. He's free to the right home. Please no one who has small or aggressive children. He has to learn to wait and see if someone's a threat before automatically assuming they are before I think I'd trust him around little kids. I'd love to find a home for him with someone who's successfully worked with a dog like this before or someone who works with animals like this. I really don't want to have to put him to sleep. I will just pray there is a home out there for him where he can learn to calm his fears and go on to be the silly happy guy he is when around people he knows. All I can do now is hope and wait someone answers this call for help. I'm in Bullhead City, near Lakeside & Marina. Since I've only had him for a couple days he comes with some toys/kibble and of course his red dot thing. He has a leash and one of those collars that fastens both at the neck as well as under his belly.