Dodger

My story

Kid friendly: UnknownDog friendly: YesCat friendly: UnknownEnergy level: MediumLeash skills: Not bad - can be really scared and shy on a leash still, needs more exposure. Keeps a clean kennel: Did at one point but no longer does due to kennel stress. ADOPTION FEE PARTIALLY SPONSORED"Hi, I'm The Artful Dodger of Neosho! I'm basically a local celebrity! Check out my facebook page for my full story! Here's the link: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61560495525970"Or you can just search "The Artful Dodger of Neosho." Follow it to get updates about me, and if you're interested in meeting me or think that you might be a good fit for my forever home, email adopt.ffaa@gmail.com or fill out the online application on https://www.ffaaneosho.org/."Dodger is a mid-sized young mixed breed dog. He has spent the last 7 months, or over 275 days, at FFAA. But before that, he infamously roamed Neosho's roads and neighborhoods. He took up residence near a cluster of fast food joints for an easy snack when he wasn't feeling up to decreasing the wild rabbit population. He was frequently spotted and posted about in the Neosho Lost and Found Pets Facebook page, but even after months of attempts by caring strangers, he was impossible to even approach. His street smarts were stellar. Not only did he know how to watch for traffic, he was having a fun time doing so. Multiple reports describe him rolling around in culverts or ditches, playing with trash with his feet in the air. Because he was such an expert, locals joined forces with professional dog trappers - it took concentrated effort, weeks of planning, a feeding station, a trap, and even a night vision camera. The larger concern was around how Dodger would behave once he was apprehended. It was uncertain whether he was truly feral and therefore not rehabilitatable. The length of time that he'd been on his own + a million other unknowns were on everyone's mind as we waited with bated breath for news of his capture. Shockingly, once the first slip leash was around his neck, Dodger seemed to accept his fate. His dog-to-dog social skills, while initially awkward and stiff, soon gave way to eager and easy camraderie. He's slower to adapt to humans -getting to know him is a process that takes multiple meetings and someone who is dog-savvy and patient yet also insistent. The fight-or-flight instinct that was strong enough to keep him alive still remains in some form - chasing him will yield no results as he can keep just ahead of a pursuint for much longer than they can do the pursuing. When he spends time as office dog, he is friendly with the humans sharing space with them, but when they leave him inside, he cowers and freezes at the door that opens up to the dog hall. While at first he seemed to be on an upward climb - growing in confidence and friendliness, kennel stress has found its way to him. Initially he kept his kennel perfectly clean, but now he will have accidents throughout the day. He struggles when new people walk back through the hall, freezing, trembling, and urinating as a fearful response. Since he arrived, only one person has ever followed through in their request to meet him. Even our extroverted dogs struggle without meet-and-greet practice - either becoming shy through lack of practice or overwhelming people with their burst of excitement, so imagine how compounded his anxiety and uncertainy becomes with zero opportunity to rehearse that all-important skill.Once you've gained his trust, Dodger is a loving and eager dog, always stopping to give thankful kisses while he plays with his toys. He enjoys his training sessions and picks up on concepts easily. He has lots of doggy friends here, both male and female, and is an exuberant player. He doesn't take disrespect from other dogs and unless physically overpowered by sheer size, will end any disagreements decidedly (although he's got great manners and doesn't start fights). I'd describe him as a dog with medium energy, even all these months in with built up frustration and kennel stress. We are worried that his mental state is deteriorating due to his length of stay. Our hearts hurt for him - he spent the first part of his life alone, raising himself, with total freedom, and out of nowhere he was moved to a facility where every part of his day is regimented and decided for him. Dodger is an incredibly rewarding dog to work with. Once you've got his heart, he's eager to please, affectionate, silly, and just so much fun. We know his person is out there. We just hope he doesn't have to wait 8 more months for them to come for him.

If you have any questions or would like to adopt Dodger, please reach out to the adoption group directly. PetSmart Charities does not facilitate the adoption process. Thank you.