My name is Niko!

Meet Niko !!

This guy is absolutely gorgeous. He’s a big boy and gives the best snuggles. We’ve been working on his trainings and manners. He’s been doing so good. He’s very smart and treat motivated. He picks up training extremely quickly.

Niko is a 5 year old, male American bully. He weighs 69 pounds. He will be neutered, up to date on vaccines and microchipped as part of his adoption. He is heartworm negative and on monthly preventatives.

He loves everyone he meets and seems like he has no idea what a stranger is. He is big and very strong but is also a huge softie with so much love to give. He thinks he’s a lap dog and loves to cuddle. He has no concept of not fitting on the couch with you. He will crawl up and find a spot lol.

Niko has been perfect with his potty training. He rides great in the car and is eager to jump in and go for a ride. Sometimes he needs a little help with his hind end to get into taller vehicles due to his shorter body build. He is very strong on the leash and needs continued training on that but is already getting better. He’s excellent with crate training and can stay crated during a normal work day. He will whine or bark a bit at times but it’s not excessive and usually when he hears you moving around the house and wants to join you.

When Niko arrived he had almost no manners. In only two weeks hes learned so quickly. He is doing so much better about jumping on people or pushing through doorways etc. It seems like he was just never taught. Once he learns the rules and expectations he tries very hard to do what you want him to.

Niko is a bit clingy. He wants to be around you as much as he can. He really loves his people. He loves to curl up on you for a nap on the couch even if he doesn’t fit lol. He will follow you all around the yard and “help” with whatever task you’re doing. He had no issues with the holiday fireworks and overall is a pretty confident boy.

He needs the right owner for sure. He’s excellent when he’s calm. If he’s hyped up he forgets his training and can be harder to manage. He can be easily excited but has thrived in a foster home that’s focused on keeping him calmer and using firm consistent training. He wants so badly to make you happy and when he’s in the right environment he’s easily able to accomplish this. He’s not one you want to play wrestle with or hype up. Hes so good when he’s just hanging out with you in a normal relaxed way.

Niko does have a few training quirks that will require the right home. He is hyper focused on plush toys. He will not share them with you. You can not take his toy or he will growl and if you push it he will eventually snap at you. He doesn’t want to bite you, he gives warnings and tries to get you to leave him alone first.

He’s never bitten anyone but needs a home willing to not give him plush toys or leave him alone when he has them. He isn’t concerned with you near him when he has them. You can walk by, pet his butt etc but when you reach down to actually take the toy he says no. With training this may change but it also may just be the way he is. Pushing this issue with him could force a bite and get him euthanized so please be sure you take it seriously if you choose to adopt him.

He however doesn’t care about his regular food and doesn’t care to much about bones either, a few here and there he doesn’t want to share but it’s mostly toys. He’s just really obsessed with plush toys. He rips them apart immediately but doesn’t ingest them. We are working on teaching him a drop it or leave it command but it’s a work in progress and far from a learned skill. He also doesn’t destroy his plushy bed in his kennel and hasn’t picked up or tried to chew anything in the house that wasn’t a dog toy.

As far as other dogs Niko seems to do really well. He’s pushy at first meeting but seems to get along with various types and sizes of dogs. He however doesn’t share toys with them either. He also got possessive over the water hose when he was playing with it. Again, he didn’t bite them he just got growly and snappy. We would suggest he either be an only dog to make things easier or be paired with a calm energy dog that isn’t interested in toys and will back off if Niko gets possessive. We have no idea how he would do with cats.

Niko loves kids and previous lives with an infant but he’s so big and strong he is just too much for young kids. That mixed with the toy issues and it’s just not a good idea to risk a kid trying to take his toy. Older kids that are calm and relaxed would be a better fit. If they run around acting wild he’s going to join in and forget not to pounce on people etc.

His energy level is mixed. If you hype him up he’s ready to get rowdy at any second. However if you provide him a calm laid back atmosphere he’s good with relaxing all day. He goes out to potty and comes in when called and lays out on the couch. He’s fine kenneled through the workday as well.

We know he has a few issues but he’s got so much potential in the right home. Someone with big dog experience and willing to continue his training would be best. He really is become a wonderful dog.

Vet and home checks required.
No young kids

Located in Hampton VA.
(He will need to be adopted within a 1 hour drive radius)

♦️♦️DO NOT APPLY IF YOU HAVEN'T BEEN GIVEN PERMISSION FROM YOUR LANDLORD TO ADOPT THIS BREED- That means ask them and get approval BEFORE messaging us about adopting ♦️♦️

‼️Please message the Village Dog Resource Facebook Page or Villagedogresource@gmail.com directly with questions or to get an application.‼️