Kokomo

My story

Kokomo got the chance to spend a couple of months in a foster home, where she did very well and learned a lot of new skills. She’s back at the shelter now and continuing to hone her skills with our shelter trainer. Her foster wrote, “She’s very much a people-focused dog and very much wants to please. She’s not as affectionate with other dogs but is tolerant of calm dogs who don’t get in her business. She’s lived with three small dogs and two large dogs. One of the small dogs was dog reactive and that was NOT a good match. One of the large dogs is too eager to sniff her and that is not tolerated though they do excellent on pack walks. The other large dog she lives with is a submissive older dog and they are fine together and often crash out together. Her favorite, though, is our bichon who she follows around and they will sleep curled up next to each other on a bed often. Slow introductions are key.” Kokomo also lived with 3 cats in her foster home. “While she did want to chase them in the beginning has stopped that behavior,” her foster says. “She stares a lot, so I don’t leave her alone with them, but she disengages on her own most of the time and always on command. My cats are strangely unafraid of her and will go nose to nose with her often.” In a home, Kokomo is very affectionate and likes to be close to you. Her foster writes, “Her favorite place in the world is curled up between your legs with her head on your thigh. She just wants to meld with a human and she loves tummy rubs and massage, especially on the top of her head, ears, and shoulder blades. She will sit in front of me for a light rub on her chest and inside of her front legs. Her eyes soften and close as you go and she practically falls asleep sitting up.” She and her fosters would take nature walks often and she loved sniffing and getting out. “We stick to trails with a lot of visibility as we are working with reactivity toward other people and dogs while out and, there, she’s also made a lot of progress,” her foster writes. “I expect she could be trained out of that entirely with time and consistency.” Kokomo also loves to play, and her fosters would mix their playtime with practicing commands she is learning, writing, “Kokomo LOVES toys and can get a little obsessed with squeaky balls so we work a lot with ropes. “Tug” is her favorite game and she will bring the rope to you when she hears that word. She also loves to play impulse control games. We like to put her on a Sit/Wait before tossing the rope, then doing various commands before giving a “GO!”at which time she takes off to get it like a shot. If she anticipates the command, though, she will stop and turn around until she hears the word “go.” She also REALLY loves sticks: fetching them and also just parading them around proudly before chewing them up like it’s her job.” Kokomo would prefer a home with adults, and she can be selective about her dog friends. Our trainer and team can work with you to make sure she has a seamless transition into your home. We’d love to introduce you to this loyal, affectionate dog.

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