Ted - Chihuahua and Mixed Breed Dog for Adoption in Alma, Wisconsin

Meet Ted - The Gentle Boy Who Just Needs a Little Time to Show You Who He Is

Ted doesn't walk into a new situation assuming everything is going to be okay.

He needs a little time to figure that out.

But what's remarkable about Ted isn't that he can be nervous at first-it's how quickly he begins to blossom once he feels safe.

On his first day in foster care, Ted was so nervous that simply going outside was difficult. A walk was out of the question, and he wasn't ready to interact with the resident dog.

Just a couple of days later?

Ted was confidently going for walks, exploring the house, and beginning to play with his canine foster sibling.

His foster family has loved watching this sweet, gentle boy discover that he's safe enough to let his personality come out.

Ted Loves:

-Walks
-Sniffing and exploring
-Cuddling
-Napping
-Watching TV with his people
-Quiet relaxation
-Playing with other dogs once comfortable
-Being close to the people he trusts
-Getting attention
-Learning new things

Ted's Favorite Thing:

Building a bond with his person.

Ted is a Velcro dog at heart.

Once he trusts you, you can see just how badly he wants that connection. He's affectionate, cuddly, people-oriented, and happiest when he knows he has someone in his corner.

He's initially more comfortable with women and needs slow introductions with new people.

Give him patience and positive reinforcement, though, and Ted's confidence can grow remarkably quickly.

Watching Ted Blossom Is Pretty Special

Ted's foster describes him as a very good listener and a quick learner.

He's curious about the world, but new environments can initially make him nervous. He doesn't need someone to force him through that uncertainty.

He needs someone who will give him a little time, encourage him, and let his confidence catch up with his curiosity.

And Ted has already shown just how capable he is of doing that.

The nervous dog who could barely venture outside on Day 1 was walking, exploring, and beginning to play within days.

There's a brave little guy underneath those nerves, and he's figuring it out.

Off to a Fantastic Start at Home

Ted has been doing exceptionally well with his routine.

He has little to no potty accidents on a consistent schedule, and his foster reports that he hasn't had an accident in their home.

He's also crate trained.

Ted goes into his crate without difficulty and sleeps through the night.

He currently knows:

Come
Crate
His name-and responds well to it

His leash manners are already good, and he's proving to be a smart dog who picks up new skills quickly.

Ted may jump when excited, but no significant behavioral concerns beyond his initial nervousness in unfamiliar situations have been reported.

Dogs, Cats & Kids

Ted loves other dogs.

He may need a little time before he's ready to interact, as his foster saw when he first arrived, but once comfortable he has started playing with their resident dog.

His experience with cats is limited, so we can't say for certain how he'll do. Based on his temperament, his foster believes he would likely be fine with appropriate introductions.

Ted does well with children who understand and respect a dog's boundaries.

A Few Things to Know:

-Medium energy
-Shy and nervous initially
-Needs slow introductions
-More comfortable with women at first
-Gains confidence quickly with positive reinforcement
-Very affectionate once comfortable
-Gentle and sweet
-Velcro personality with people he trusts
-Smart and quick to learn
-Very good listener
-Little to no potty accidents on a consistent routine
-Crate trained
-Goes into his crate easily
-Sleeps through the night
-Good leash manners
-Knows Come and Crate
-Responds well to his name
-Loves other dogs
-Cats haven't been fully evaluated but may be a good fit based on his temperament
-Does well with children who respect boundaries
-May jump when excited
-Can be nervous in unfamiliar environments

Great Activities for Ted:

-Quiet neighborhood walks
-Sniffing adventures
-One-on-one bonding
-Relaxing at home
-Playing with compatible dogs
-Indoor enrichment
-Quiet park visits
-Calm patio outings as his confidence grows
-Training sessions using positive reinforcement
-Couch time
-TV nights
-Plenty of cuddling

Best Match:

-Patient adopters
-Families
-Someone comfortable allowing a shy dog to decompress
-A home that will use positive reinforcement to continue building his confidence
-Someone looking for a close, loyal companion
-A family that enjoys walks but also appreciates quiet time at home
-A home with respectful children
-A home with a friendly canine companion could be a great fit
-Someone who understands that the Ted you meet on Day 1 may be very different from the Ted you know a few days later

Three Words That Describe Ted Best:

Gentle
Loving
Loyal

Foster Location:

Onalaska, WI

Meet & Greet Availability:
Ted's foster is happy to meet approved adopters within approximately one hour of Onalaska, WI.

Ted's previous history isn't known, so we can't tell you exactly what shaped the cautious little guy who first arrived in foster care.

What we can tell you is what happened next.

On Day 1, Ted was so nervous that going outside felt overwhelming.

Within a couple of days, he was walking confidently, exploring his foster home, and starting to play with the resident dog.

That's Ted.

He's cautious, but curious.

He's nervous, but capable.

He's shy at first, but underneath that uncertainty is an incredibly sweet dog who clearly wants to trust, bond, and be loved.

His foster family says people in the neighborhood constantly comment on his adorable face, expressive eyes, and ears.

They're certainly cute.

But watching Ted realize he's safe enough to become himself may be the best thing about him.

Give Ted a little patience in the beginning, and he'll show you just how much love this gentle boy has been waiting to give.

Ready to meet Ted? Visit www.tailsofhopewi.org to submit an application.

Please note: Donations made through the SPONSOR ME tab on PetFinder do not go to Tails of Hope-WI and do not benefit the rescue. If you would like to support Ted or Tails of Hope-WI, please donate directly through our website or official fundraising channels.

The Chihuahua is a small breed famous for its confidence, loyalty, and big personality, despite its tiny size. Originating from Mexico, these dogs are known for their large, expressive eyes and alert, curious nature. Chihuahuas make excellent companions, forming strong bonds with their owners and displaying a protective nature. They come in a variety of coat colors and patterns, with both long and short coats, making them a diverse and adorable addition to any family.

The mixed breed dogs, often referred to as mutts, are a diverse and unique group with a blend of different characteristics from various purebred dog breeds. These dogs come from a mixture of lineages, resulting in a wide range of sizes, coat types, and temperaments. While each mixed breed dog is distinct in its own right, they are known for their resilience, adaptability, and often have fewer health issues compared to purebred dogs due to their genetic diversity. Mixed breed dogs make wonderful companions for families looking for a loyal and one-of-a-kind pet.