Zeb

My story

For Adoption: Zeb! Please read our dog bios carefully to be sure that the dog you are applying for suits your family and lifestyle. We at PDR believe in the benefits of post-adoption training for our dogs and their families. This allows for continued socialization, learning and helps to create a well-mannered and balanced dog. Post-adoption training is a requirement in our adoption process. To apply for adoption and for more information on our process and requirements, visit our website at https://pounddog.ca/adoption-info/. I’m so happy to introduce you to this little social butterfly, this is Zeb! Zeb is a 4-year-old Chihuahua with a shiny black and tan coat and a tail that will not quit! This happy boy has big, expressive eyes and a sweet nature that brightens every day. At 8lbs he is easily portable and 100% ready for whatever adventures his new family has planned. Just get out of his way because he boots around the house like a puppy! Zeb was surrendered to a shelter through no fault of his own and, thankfully, the shelter reached out to rescues quickly to try to get this sweet boy into a foster home. Pound Dog Rescue stepped up immediately and Zeb joined us right away where he has been a perfect house guest ever since! He has been quick to learn the rules and routine of his foster home and wants nothing more than companionship and love. Zeb is looking for a family who will prioritize his wellbeing and continue to show him the adventurous life that he deserves. Zeb barks a bit when new people come or go and otherwise, he is pretty quiet so he would be fine for any type of home environment. He would love a yard to patrol and have quick bathroom breaks but he would also be ok in an apartment as long as there is a safe outdoor space nearby for him to do his business. He is an active boy who has no trouble getting around so a house with stairs would be fine. Zeb is my constant companion in the home, following me from room to room, task to task. He’s hoping his new family needs the same kind of supervision because it’s his specialty. He loves to get outside on the leash and go for long walks around the neighborhood, but he is not the kind of dog who needs endless physical exercise to be well behaved. He is also happy to have daily play sessions in the house to expend some puppy-like energy. One of my favorite things about Zeb are his zoomies – they come equipped with sound effects. Maybe today it’s some grunts and tomorrow it’s little yips – they are never a silent affair. He is also a VERY dedicated lap dog and the minute I sit still on the couch he is curling up beside me under my blanket or sprawling out in my lap. And the same goes for new friends he’s just met – if they sit still for a split second, they can count on a chihuahua lap companion! Zeb loves meeting new people. According to information left at the shelter, Zeb never received veterinary care, he was not house trained, and he was left alone for long hours either in a crate or enclosed in a pen. This lack of care and socialization could result in a temperamental dog, but Zeb is the opposite. Whatever situation I have put him in since his arrival, he has handled with patience, trust and cooperation. He is patient for baths and brushing once he knows what you expect of him – and treats go a long way, too! He has taken to his crate very well and has only had a few accidents in there in the early days. Supervision around the house means that he has never had an accident outside of his crate either and his new family needs to be ready to keep a close eye to help him be successful. A bit of regression here is to be expected in a new home as this is still a new skill for him. Zeb is in his crate when I am not home, or if I am unable to monitor him. On an office day this means that he is crated in the morning and again in the afternoon with a bathroom break/walk at noon. He would be fine to keep up this schedule, but he also would not complain about some extra company throughout the day. He sleeps and eats in his crate, and he knows that this is his spot, but he is not a dog who hangs out in there – he would much rather a dog bed or the couch. He is a bit unsettled in the car, so he rides in a crate for his safety. Once we are on the move, he is able to rest in the crate and he stays quiet the whole ride. He will need continued exposure to car rides to help desensitize him and he should always be secured in a crate or booster, belted in for his safety. When we’re not curled up on the couch Zeb can be found nosing about in the house or awkwardly trying to play with one of his foster siblings. He often looks for someone to play with him but he’s just not quite sure how to do it when the opportunity arises. He is not aggressive or dangerous to the other dogs at all, he’s just a little thick when it comes to reading body language. Zeb would be fine to have another dog in his forever home as long as they were of similar size and energy and not upset by a dog that takes a bit longer to understand expectations. He would also enjoy being the only dog in the home, getting all the laps to himself! Either way his new family needs to be ready to play with him as he is a small dog with lots of energy (in between naps). In the short time that he has been with me he has developed great leash skills. When we are out walking, he stays close beside me and is mostly unresponsive to other dogs we encounter, although he can sometimes bark a bit at large dogs from a distance. Zeb is going to benefit greatly from being enrolled in a training class and between this and his regular walks he’ll overcome this insecurity. He is smart dog who needs leadership, rules and routine to thrive – when he understands what is wanted of him, he is a calm and confident companion (a typical Chihuahua!). He has shown to have a bit of prey drive with small furry creatures but he is easily redirected. I think he would be fine in a house with a cat as long as the cat was dog savvy and time was taken for training and proper introductions. Zeb met some young friends of mine and was perfectly behaved in their presence. He was not fearful or avoidant at all and enjoyed some good belly rubs. He is very social and loves hopping from one lap to another, making sure no one feels left out! Zeb would be fine in a home with children who could be taught to treat him tenderly and to watch out for him as an extra small dog. Adult supervision would needed at all times as Zeb is tiny and as such, “breakable”. Zeb was given all his vaccinations when he came into our care as well as a heartworm test. He was neutered and microchipped and a dental exam revealed a few retained baby teeth. They were able to remove those teeth and took x-rays to confirm that everything else was healthy. They were able to perform a dental cleaning, and his teeth look beautiful now! Zeb is another example of a wonderful Chihuahua, ready to change hearts and minds about the breed. He will be fiercely loyal to his people and, every person he meets is almost immediately ‘his people’! He needs a family who will make his mental and physical health a priority, never allowing him to struggle or suffer. He would love a life that lets him be the social guy that he it – meeting new people and loading on the love for his family. Zeb will be a star pupil in classes so he needs a new family who will take this task seriously. He promises to offer lots of zoomies and couch snuggles as payment! Zeb needs a soft place to live out the rest of his life being loved and cherished. If you’re in the market for a couch partner who is also ready to take on the world then please consider applying to adopt Zeb. You don’t want to miss out on calling this sweet boy yours! Name: Zeb ID # PDR1404 Age: 4yrs Gender: male Neutered: yes UTD vaccines: yes Breed: Chihuahua Colours: black and tan Coat length: short House trained: yes Special needs: no OK with kids: yes OK with cats: yes Ok with dogs: yes Status: adoptable Microchip: yes Size: small Location: Kitchener Adoption fee: $700

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