Size
(when grown) Med. 26-60 lbs (12-27 kg)
Details
Good with dogs,
Story
Socialization: Penny didn’t have an easy start in life. She spent her first year in a hoarding situation with no access to the outdoors, which has made her a timid, sensitive girl with high anxiety. She’s currently on medication to help her feel more comfortable as she learns that the world can be a safe place. New people can be scary at first, but with time and patience, she continues to make progress. Inside the home, Penny is a playful puppy who loves running around with other dogs and joyfully emptying the toy bin one toy at a time. She may “guard” her toys by watching other dogs closely, but she has never shown aggression, and this behavior is expected to fade as she settles into a secure routine. Penny mostly ignores cats and would likely do well with a dog-savvy cat. The outside world is still overwhelming for her, and she’s fearful of cars and loud noises. Leash walks and outdoor potty training are a work in progress, and she will need a patient, committed adopter who is willing to gently but consistently help her build confidence—even on the hard days when “tough love” is needed to assist desensitize her from her fears of the outside world.
Training: Penny is a fast learner and learning sit very well. We are also trying to train her to use a bell at the door when she needs to go outside, but this isn’t necessary if the new home doesn’t have the same set up. We continue to teach her what we can while she’s in our home to prepare her for her new adopters. Inside she’s a treat monster outside she wants nothing to do with them, which will make training her outside a bit challenging. Penny is still working on house training. When she feels overwhelmed or scared outside, she may have accidents indoors, so continued outdoor potty training will be important. In her previous foster home she was comfortable stepping briefly onto the deck, and in her current foster home she is learning to use the grass as her potty spot and making gradual progress. During the transition to a new home, she may have a few stress-related accidents, but with patience, consistency, and a routine, this should improve as her confidence grows
Crate trained: Penny is crate trained and has no issues in there. We have left her for up to 5-6 hours at most and not had any issues or accidents. Her crate has become her safe zone and we often leave the gate open and she'll just go in there to sleep
Leash trained: Penny will need continued, consistent leash training. Because she is fearful of the outside world, she may try to bolt or pull hard to get away when on leash. We have been using a choke chain to train her to stop pulling as well as a harness. Leash training will be imperative to her outdoor training so that she’s not a flight risk. As of today, she is walked on 2 leashes, and I would expect the adopter to be as diligent until she has calmed down from the outside world.
Activity level/requirements: She is a puppy… so prepare for the wild puppy energy. She will get into things, run around the living room, bounce off couches and dog beds. I'm sure she will someday calm down but right now, we're letting her live her best puppy life
Fence requirements: A physical fence will be required; due to her ongoing and extreme anxiety I do not believe an invisible or lack of fence will be a good fit for her.
Personality: She’s a happy dog inside, a drastic change from when she was originally surrendered to the rescue. However, outside is very stressful for her and she’ll shake nonstop until she goes back inside. She loves affection, playing with us, her toys, & going after our girl dog to initiate play. There are two videos attached to show her playful inside personality and her outside anxious run away from you personality. It's important to know there are two sides to this little pocket beast
Health history: UTD on vaccinations, is spayed/neutered, microchipped, & on monthly heartworm preventative. Penny has a heart murmur that has not caused or worried any vets and is on fluoxetine to help curb her anxiety. I suspect with dedicated adopters that will help her with her anxiety, that this could eventually be reduced or discontinued.
Foster comments: We absolutely adore Penny—she has a sweet, playful energy that’s especially remarkable given her past. The girls all surrendered in this litter have been on the smaller side, so think “pocket setter”. She would likely do well in a home with kids or cats, but we believe she would thrive most in a home with at least one other dog to help build her confidence. Penny is not a fan of car rides and tends to get motion sick, often drooling and becoming carsick during trips, so not a “road hound”. She originally came to the rescue as Indiana but now responds well to “Penny,” so a similar-sounding name would be best if her adopters choose to rename her. Penny is currently a higher-maintenance dog, particularly with outdoor time and walks; early on, her fear caused her to brace so hard against the pavement during a walk that her back nails wore down to the quick. With lots of patience, training, and understanding, she continues to make progress.
Foster Location: Colorado Springs, CO
Volunteer transport can be arranged in the Continental US within a 1,000-mile distance between adopters & foster home. If interstate transport is provided for your adopted dog, there will be an additional charge of $75.00 for the required Certificate of Veterinary Inspection (CVI). Typically, we are able to transport your adopted dog to within 2 hours of your home. *Dogs can be adopted outside the 1000-mile transport distance; however, adopters must be willing to either fly their adopted dog, drive to a location within the 1000-mile transport range, or make independent transport arrangements for their adopted dog. Transports to far Western states, from Eastern states, may have additional restrictions.
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