Prepping for pet parenthood?
There's a lot to learn when you have a new pet. Our sister brand, The Wildest, is here to support you—with new pet checklists, virtual training, and expert guides. Sign up for free.
Close button icon
Adopt

My name is Poppy!

Posted 1 year ago | Updated 1 year ago

My basic info

Breed
Retriever (Unknown Type)
Color
Red/Golden/Orange/Chestnut
Age
4 years 8 months old, Adult
Size
Med. 26-60 lbs (12-27 kg) (when grown)
Weight
30 lbs (current)
Sex
Female
Pet ID

My details

Checkmark in teal circle Good with dogs
Checkmark in teal circle Good with cats
Checkmark in teal circle Shots current
Checkmark in teal circle Spayed / Neutered
Checkmark in teal circle Housetrained

My story

Here's what the humans have to say about me:

Meet Poppy:

Characteristics: Quirky, exuberant, enthusiastic, calm much of the time, yet excitable, friendly, full of smiles

Coat length: Short

House-trained
Vaccinations up-to-date, spayed/neutered
Good in a home with other dogs, cats, dog-savvy children ages 10+
Required: Fenced-in yard

Poppy is super quirky. When excited, she curls her body into a C-shape and turns around to look at you, all the while wagging so hard that her curly tail will bonk her nose. She may nudge your arm, hand, or leg with her nose to get your attention. And you’ll see those bright, melty chocolate eyes imploring you: “Where’s my treat?”

Yes, Poppy has a strong sense of entitlement. Perhaps that comes from her distinguished lineage, which draws on Chow, Chihuahua, German shepherd, Tibetan terrier, beagle, retriever, miniature poodle, Sharpei, and Siberian Husky DNA, among others. Her inky black tongue and elegant slender legs also reflect some of that super mixed family tree.

Poppy has come a long way. Originally, she was part of a hoarding case. When she first came to Hedgesville Hounds, it seemed like she wasn’t used to living indoors. When the wind blew and the house creaked, she would startle easily. Now she doesn’t mind the creaking.

Yet while she still doesn’t like thunderstorms, we have found that a multipronged approach that includes playing “Through a Dog’s Ear” dog-calming music reduces her anxiety.

When she’s relaxed and happy, her curly tail spins like a helicopter propeller. She loves fetching a tennis ball. Sometimes she throws her front paws in the air as she prepares to pounce on something. She enjoys wiggling on her back in the grass, while kicking up her back legs.

When “sitting to say please,” she looks up at you, as if to say: “I’m ready for my treat.” The way her ears stick out gives her a somewhat wacky look. So does her exuberance. She wags her tail so vigorously that the whole back half of her body wags.

Ask her what she wants most in the world, and she’ll say she loves something to gnaw on, a run in the yard, a scent trail to follow, and being with her person.

Her dial has two settings: calm and rambunctious. She will walk sedately by your side. She can conk out for hours. And she loves to zen out while you rub her belly. But when she tears around doing zoomies in the yard, it’s surprising she doesn’t leave flames in her wake.

Sometimes she’ll bark and run to the windows when a dog is walking down the street. Blocking her view out low windows can help. And while she generally rides well in the car, she does get worked up if she sees people or dogs on the street. If a stranger is at the door, she’ll give an alert bark. But she quickly makes friends, charming all she meets at home.

Mix: Retriever mix
Age: 2 to 3
Weight: 30 lbs
Character: Generally sweet and calm, except when she’s feeling rambunctious
Uniquely Poppy: Sometimes deer mistake her for one of them and walk toward her.

Now full disclosure. Her quirkiness expresses itself in a few unusual habits. Given her watchdog DNA, she likes to see what’s going on. This means she may jump on your kitchen counter so that she can see out the window or check for food. She may also pop up onto a table. She’ll jump when she thinks you can’t see her, when you’re out shopping, for instance. One solution would be to crate her while you’re out.

And while she acts incorrigible, we will share some impulse control exercises to help reduce this particular behavior and her tendency to get so excited when someone comes in that she wants to jump up on them. Poppy enjoyed a week of training at Peaceable Paws to work on impulse control. And it would be great if her new family could help build on that progress. We know she can learn new things. She already knows “sit,” “down,” and “touch.” She’s working on stay.

What Poppy needs in her next home:
• a fenced-in yard to run in
• a walking companion who is steady on their feet, as she sometimes pulls hard on the leash when she spots a rabbit
• someone willing to continue working with her on impulse control
• (nice to have) the option to sleep on a human’s bed

click here to be send a non-binding application

Find a pet to adopt

Other pets at this rescue
1
1 - 1 of 1 adoptable pets at this rescue