BELLA - 3.5 months & 18lbs (as of 11/18), Lab/Terrier Mixes, Spayed
Expected Full Grown Size Around 50lbs
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: Meet Bella, the sweetest little social butterfly! She is a perfect blend of energy and affection. Bella is a total people lover – she’ll try to be friends with anyone who walks by and adores any attention she can get. She’s also a bit of a velcro dog and loves sticking close, so be ready for a loyal shadow by your side. Bella’s curious and playful, and while she’s still working on her confidence with other dogs, she’ll warm up with a little time. Bella’s bright, affectionate personality makes her an absolute joy – she’ll bring warmth and laughs to a home.
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.)
How is the dog's cuddle bug level
Medium -- Likes to snuggle when in the mood but often stays in their own bed
Potty trained?
Working on this skill. Puppies under 12 weeks old are often on track with their wee pad skills, but they’re too young to walk outside in public NYC areas yet because they haven’t finished their puppy vaccine series. Puppies older than 12 weeks are usually learning to do their business outside. Potty training takes a lot of patience, consistency, and clean up.
Comfy with strangers?
Yep -- Wants to be friends with everyone who walks by, super social butterfly, and loves anyone who will stop to say hello.
Social with dogs?
Yes. Some puppies are shy, others are bold, but all have the potential to be taught healthy socializing skills. It’s a huge part of raising a puppy and must be done carefully. How they interact with other dogs depends largely on how their humans help them learn to.
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 play:
High! All puppies go through phases where they chew your stuff and grab your hands, arms, feet… puppies naturally explore the world, play, and test boundaries with their mouths. (It also happens when they’re teething.) Their teeth are super sharp though, so it can be a very painful phase for humans and other animals in the home. Proper training, outlets, and socialization are key.
Leash Manners?
Needs to learn this skill, is a puppy. Working on this skill!
Okay in the city?
Yes but still adjusting -- Spooked easily by loud noises and bustling areas but walks pretty well and probably just needs more time to adjust (may be a puppy or a brand new rescue)
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 puppy phase or wasn’t trained as a young adult.
Separation anxiety:
Lower: Most puppies have some level of separation anxiety as they learn to self soothe. Often they cry the first 10+ minutes when they are left home alone or in a crate. Consistent training and alone time is crucial. BELLA cries for a few minutes and then is fine home alone.
Crate training?
Working on it – We set one up
PLEASE NOTE: This animal is not at the Social Tees office — all of our dogs and cats are in foster homes while they wait to find their forever families. :) If you’d like to apply to adopt this pet, please complete an adoption application at socialteesnyc.org. Because we are a small team and receive hundreds of applications each week, we are unable to respond to every application and every inquiry email, but we do our best. Please have patience! If your application is approved, you will for sure hear from us. If you have questions, please take a look at the Adoption and Fostering FAQs etc. on our website as all common questions are answered there. Thank you for your understanding and flexibility as we work to save these innocent lives!!
LEARN MORE ABOUT US: socialteesnyc.org; Instagram via @socialteesnyc; Facebook.com/socialteesanimalrescue
PLEASE NOTE: This animal is not at the Social Tees office — all of our dogs and cats are in foster homes while they wait to find their forever families. :) If you’d like to apply to adopt this pet, please complete an adoption application at socialteesnyc.org. Because we are a small team and receive hundreds of applications each week, we are unable to respond to every application and every inquiry email, but we do our best. Please have patience! If your application is approved, you will for sure hear from us. If you have questions, please take a look at the Adoption and Fostering FAQs etc. on our website as all common questions are answered there. Thank you for your understanding and flexibility as we work to save these innocent lives!!
LEARN MORE ABOUT US: socialteesnyc.org; Instagram via @socialteesnyc; Facebook.com/socialteesanimalrescue
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