Petey
fuzzy wiggly puppy mix
male / 8 mos old / 38 lbs
male / 8 mos old / 38 lbs
Petey boy!! Wiggly, puppy-crazy super duper HAPPY Petey is here and ready to take on the world.. with his fuzzy, wirey black and white coat and his big puppy paws! He also has an awesome chubby muzzle that is just delicious! Coming off the transport van he was a tad unsure but stepped out with an open heart and HUGE smile.
Petey is a young.. very impressionable adolescent. Although he is a wiggly pup most of the time, it seems that he has endured some not so positive experiences in his short life.. up until now! He's not really all that complicated.. just a young dude who doesn't know his place in the world. We have noticed a bit of defensiveness around brand new people in certain situations.. after a planned introduction he's welcoming and happy to make friends. Take the other day for example.. a new volunteer walked in the barn and Petey met her with an intruder bark. That means "stay away, give me space". He was loud and clear that this new person was terrifying to him. The volunteer stepped outside while I brought Petey out to meet her. He did continue to express his uncomfortableness with her presence with a low growl and tense body language. After a short walk and some treat exchange, they were delightful friends and sure enough, Petey's wiggly side shined through!
Anyone coming to meet Petey should be prepared to take a long walk without looking or focusing on him. Lots of pressure in the form of eye contact can be perceived as a threat to him.
Petey can also attach himself to a person or two.. he loves handler Amanda so much! If someone is walking Petey and Amanda walks by, he'll watch until she comes into view. Now in many cases, this is a good thing.. and we're not saying it's a bad thing... BUT in our understanding and experience, this can also lead to an unbalanced young Petey as he grows into adulthood. This unbalanced nature can lead to possible separation anxiety or more protectiveness. Petey's program will include teaching him tools to help him become confident in his own skin with people, doggies and in new situations to avoid development of those unwanted behaviors. As well as lots of confidence building and FUN enriching activities to keep him in the present moment and not looking off at what he may find threatening.
As of right now, we have been also working to socialize Petey with other dogs that are great communicators like Finney and Guy. Maybe Petey came from somewhere where he wasn't around other dogs so he hasn't grown up with an understanding of doggie body language?? We're not entirely sure what his background is but he sure is getting more welcoming of new dogs with each encounter! He goes on pack walks with multiple dogs everyday!
Now I'm not going to brag but... Petey is a literal GENIUS! It's amazing how smart this little dude is. He has already learned sit, down, look and is learning off, recall and loose leash walking. He absolutely loves training especially with the clicker. When it's time for a walk or training sesh, Petey gives the best greeting. I know I keep saying wiggly.. but really he is SO WIGGLY! His entire body sways from side to side, he gives long sloppy kisses as he looks dotingly into your eyes. One day I brought him up to the office where we hung out on the couch while I did some laptop work. Petey was so relaxed and content just sitting by my side chewing on a squeaker toy. It's amazing the chill button such a young a vibrant puppy has.
As you can see Petey has got a few layers to him... most of them filled with AWESOMENESS. We are listing him as adoptable but we certainly are going to keep him here for a little bit to help him gather some tool for the big world he's going to be living in!
* We recommend Petey go to a home without children under 16 years old. Petey is not hypoallergenic. *
Petey is a young.. very impressionable adolescent. Although he is a wiggly pup most of the time, it seems that he has endured some not so positive experiences in his short life.. up until now! He's not really all that complicated.. just a young dude who doesn't know his place in the world. We have noticed a bit of defensiveness around brand new people in certain situations.. after a planned introduction he's welcoming and happy to make friends. Take the other day for example.. a new volunteer walked in the barn and Petey met her with an intruder bark. That means "stay away, give me space". He was loud and clear that this new person was terrifying to him. The volunteer stepped outside while I brought Petey out to meet her. He did continue to express his uncomfortableness with her presence with a low growl and tense body language. After a short walk and some treat exchange, they were delightful friends and sure enough, Petey's wiggly side shined through!
Anyone coming to meet Petey should be prepared to take a long walk without looking or focusing on him. Lots of pressure in the form of eye contact can be perceived as a threat to him.
Petey can also attach himself to a person or two.. he loves handler Amanda so much! If someone is walking Petey and Amanda walks by, he'll watch until she comes into view. Now in many cases, this is a good thing.. and we're not saying it's a bad thing... BUT in our understanding and experience, this can also lead to an unbalanced young Petey as he grows into adulthood. This unbalanced nature can lead to possible separation anxiety or more protectiveness. Petey's program will include teaching him tools to help him become confident in his own skin with people, doggies and in new situations to avoid development of those unwanted behaviors. As well as lots of confidence building and FUN enriching activities to keep him in the present moment and not looking off at what he may find threatening.
As of right now, we have been also working to socialize Petey with other dogs that are great communicators like Finney and Guy. Maybe Petey came from somewhere where he wasn't around other dogs so he hasn't grown up with an understanding of doggie body language?? We're not entirely sure what his background is but he sure is getting more welcoming of new dogs with each encounter! He goes on pack walks with multiple dogs everyday!
Now I'm not going to brag but... Petey is a literal GENIUS! It's amazing how smart this little dude is. He has already learned sit, down, look and is learning off, recall and loose leash walking. He absolutely loves training especially with the clicker. When it's time for a walk or training sesh, Petey gives the best greeting. I know I keep saying wiggly.. but really he is SO WIGGLY! His entire body sways from side to side, he gives long sloppy kisses as he looks dotingly into your eyes. One day I brought him up to the office where we hung out on the couch while I did some laptop work. Petey was so relaxed and content just sitting by my side chewing on a squeaker toy. It's amazing the chill button such a young a vibrant puppy has.
As you can see Petey has got a few layers to him... most of them filled with AWESOMENESS. We are listing him as adoptable but we certainly are going to keep him here for a little bit to help him gather some tool for the big world he's going to be living in!
* We recommend Petey go to a home without children under 16 years old. Petey is not hypoallergenic. *