CREED - 8 weeks & 5lbs (as of 11/16), Heeler/Cattle Dog/Lab Mix, Neutered
Expected to be about 45lbs Full Grown
This puppy is eligible to join our foster-to-adopt program. Please email fostertoadopt@socialteesnyc.org with the animal’s name in the subject line if you are interested! Want to straight up adopt? Submit an adoption application at socialteesnyc.org.
Their Foster Parent Says: "Creed has been an angel of a puppy! I am pleasantly surprised at how quickly he learned to potty on the pee pee pad, literally on the first day. He has only had two accidents which is impressive for a puppy his age. He is the right mix of energy and chill. He will go hard when it's playtime, whether it's climbing into the toy basket and playing with his toys or running around with the resident dog in the hallway. He will definitely be a high energy dog! He is independent and can play on his own or go into his crate to snooze. He is a snuggle bug and will let you know he's tired by crawling into your lap and falling asleep. I live in a loud neighborhood and city noises do not seem to bother him. He is EXTREMELY FOOD motivated! Little guy goes crazy during meal times and will follow you around maniacally if he thinks you have food. He is working on "sit", "down", and "stand". He aced "sit" really quickly already. He does not like to be "quarantined" in any way. For example, on the second day, we put up a puppy gate and he was not having it. He cried and howled and did everything he could to escape the gate (i.e. crawled under it, tried to knock it down by scratching it, etc.). We switched to let him free-range and he's not caused any issues and is respectful of the space. Other than him nipping my dog and trying to steal all his toys and food, Creed has truly been the easiest puppy I've ever come across. Everything he does is cute but a couple of highlights include him staring deep into your eyes, how he falls asleep on top of his toys, how he squeals when he is eating a treat he really likes or playing with a toy that squeaks."
Level of dog ownership experience needed:
INTERMEDIATE: As an adult, this dog will need significant structure and plenty of daily exercise, training, and mental stimulation – 90 consecutive minutes of movement in the morning plus potty break walks and brain games throughout the day. The adopter must have relevant primary care experience with a similar breed, temperament, and/or energy level. (Primary care experience includes ownership, fostering, or dog sitting as an adult, not a dog you grew up with.) Relevant puppy care experience is a huge plus, but bare minimum the adopter must have TONS of time and patience. Raising a puppy can be a lot of fun, but it’s also tremendous work. Puppies’ personalities and exercise/stimulation requirements change dramatically between now and when they’re a year old as their bodies and brains develop, so an active lifestyle and the ability to adapt to a pup’s evolving needs are a must. We strongly urge professional dog training with a rewards based trainer from the get go. Adults only or kids ages 8 and up – all puppies go through a mouthy, rambunctious phase and often accidentally hurt children when playing. PLEASE DO YOUR OWN BREED RESEARCH to make sure you have a better understanding of the kind of temperament and exercise requirements this dog may have as an adult.
Energy level
MEDIUM: Very young puppies sleep and nap a lot, but their energy level skyrockets when they become teens (4 months to around a year). As an adult, this dog will need significant structure and plenty of daily exercise, training, and mental stimulation – 90 consecutive minutes of movement in the morning plus potty break walks and brain games throughout the day at a minimum. (This is regardless of dog size – many small breeds were designed for lots of activity and will exhibit unwanted behavior when they’re understimulated.)
Cuddle Bug Level
Medium — Likes to snuggle when he/she is in the mood but often stays in his/her bed
*He will come and cuddle in your lap if you initiate it or when he's sleepy, but he is a puppy and enjoys running around and playing with his toys.
Potty Trained
Yes — Few or no accidents
*It is amazing how quickly he took to pee pee pad training! He has had only 2 accidents (very close to the pad), everything else was in the designated pee pee pad area! SUPER IMPRESSED!!!!!
Comfy with strangers?
Yep — Wants to be friends with everyone who walks by, super social butterfly, loves anyone who will stop to say hello.
*So far, he has only met people while in a pouch and he has been receptive to them giving him pets.
Good with Other Dogs?
*He is a puppy and can be nippy when it comes to the resident dog (2yo Goldendoodle). Both are getting to know each other and have initiated play. Creed is very opinionated and will bark at the resident dog when he doesn't like something or has had enough.
Social with children? (ALWAYS requires adult supervision)
Yes… but most puppies are not a great match for a home with kids under age 8 because they go through intense mouthy play and rambunctious phases and often accidentally hurt young kids while playing. Children must always be monitored and taught to interact with dogs of any age respectfully.
Social with cats?
Yes. Almost all puppies have the potential to be friends with a cat. It’s on the adopter to know their cat’s temperament and preferences and to teach their puppy respectful manners.
Mouthy Behavior?
High – Is either still in the puppy stage or was never trained to not be mouthy. Wants to put everything in their mouth. Tries to chew on your hands when playing or needs attention, grabs the leash with its mouth, and loves to gnaw on your personal belongings.
*Initially he was very nippy to my hands, but is super receptive when you let him know you don't like that. He's improved with me but he is still mouthy when it comes to playing with resident dog. He has not bitten anything else other than his toys! A very good boy!!
Leash Manners?
N/A— young puppy that is "paws off the ground"
*He hasn't worn his leash, he has only traveled outside by pouch.
Okay in the city?
Yes — Seems unfazed by the sights and sounds, they may as well have been born here.
*I live in a very loud neighborhood (trains, buses, cars, sirens, motorcycles) and he seems to be unfazed so far!!! Initially he was shaking in the pouch on the first day but has adjusted pretty quickly.
Jumping on People to Say Hi?
High – Very excited to greet everyone and has no idea how to do so politely. Jumps up on most strangers or other dogs that go by. In the puppy phase or wasn’t trained as a young adult.
*He is a puppy and still very jumpy to get attention. I am working on it with him and he's been very receptive.
Separation Anxiety?
Lower - He cries for maybe a few seconds and then hops right into his crate to sleep. He has been excellent at entertaining himself.
Crate training?
Working on it – On the first night, he cried for 15min when we closed the crate but then settled down and slept through the whole night with the crate locked. Ever since that night, we leave the crate door open but he will go in and sleep throughout the night. Sometimes he wanders outside of the crate at night and sleeps on top of his toys right outside. In general, he goes into his crates to take his naps on his own with no issue.
Medical status:
Healthy as far as we know. Up to date on their DHPP and Bordetella vaccines (for dogs under 4 months old, adopters will need to finish the DHPP vaccine series and administer the Rabies vaccine at 16 weeks of age), spayed/neutered; microchipped; treated with dewormer upon
How this dog ended up with Social Tees:
Most of our dogs come via partner groups who help us save them from shelters where they are at risk of euthanasia in Tennessee or St. Thomas. There are very few spay/neuter resources there and many more animals in those areas than there are people to adopt them. Rescue groups like ours bring them to the northeast where the desire for pets like these allows us to save their lives.
PLEASE NOTE: We cannot guarantee any breed mix, exact age, or full grown size (if the dog is under a year old). We do our best with very educated guesses though!
This animal is not at the Social Tees office, all are in foster homes.
LEARN MORE ABOUT US: socialteesnyc.org and Instagram @socialteesnyc
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