*MORE PHOTOS TO BE POSTED. WAITING ON FOSTER TO SEND*
DOB: June 15, 2022, 3.3 KG / 7 pound Luna found herself in a Canadian shelter and was not the easiest dog in their care, so they requested rescue support for placement and Mattie's Place welcomed her.
She's actually been a really good girl since arriving into our care.
She's for sure chihuahua, but I also think she has some Boston Terrier or pug or similar. She's got buggy eyes and her muzzle and lips are more prone to the noted breeds. But only a DNA test will know for sure.
She'll do best in a home as a solo dog. Can she have dogs over and socialize with other dogs? Absolutely, but residing as the only dog will make her happiest.
She'll need a home that understands "the way of the chihuahua". She's a great dog but she does have some complexity. She isn't anywhere near as bad as her owner stated on her surrender form when they dropped her to the shelter:
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THE ORIGINAL OWNER SAID:
Protective of her humans but lived with kids
Does not like strangers; growls & barks
Fearful, anxious, unpredictable & aggressive
Does not play with toys
Dogs not like dogs and will growl if they approach
Gets sick in the car
Vocal
Does not like to be handled
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Luna's biggest issue is she has barrier vocal aggression - meaning, if she is crated or behind a fence/gate and someone or something approaches, she barks quite aggressively and it for sure can be intimidating. But if you approach her crate/gate and open it and just leave her to manage her own exit, she comes out gently and confidently.
We tested this at the vet clinic for her spay and she was handled like a dream by all the staff when they just gave her a minute to figure things out.
Luna will do best in a home with 1 or 2 adults without a lot of coming and going of new people. New people are scary for her and her adopter will need to crate her when new people come over until she has a moment to assess and work through the new situation with the new human(s) in the home.
Luna does play with toys - see the video in her profile. Luna has not got car sick with us in the car in the multiple car trips she's had coming to rescue and going to vet appointments.
Luna LOVES to be handled and cuddled and being right beside her person as often as her person will allow.
Luna does engage and play with the resident dogs in the foster home, but she can also be a bit pushy and bossy with them.
Luna does alarm bark when people come to the door or she hears loud noises outside. But she will settle quickly when told to.
Luna will love her adopter hard and fast. She's has an immense loyalty to a select few that are her "people". If you understand that devotion, so often seen in chihuahua's, you'll understand Luna perfectly.
She'll be an amazing companion to a chihuahua person.
FROM THE FOSTER:
Luna came in and immediately attached herself to me. It didn't take long for her to attach to my partner.
We did have a few spicy interactions with Luna and my partner, on day 1, but Luna's ultimate need for human companionship quickly trumped her fear.
Luna started out very avoidant with the other 4 small dogs in the home. Eventually, she has played with her 6 pound Foster brother. She can be a bit bossy with the other dogs.
The humans have definitely been her priority.
Luna is still working on her housetraining, she is hitting the pee pad every time, now we are working on her alerting to go outside.
Luna loves her crate, it is her safe space. Luna has no issues being crated while left home alone as well as crated for bedtime. We do not hear a peep. When another dog intrudes on her safe space (crate) while she in it she will bark and growl as well as humans she does not know and trust. This is the same reaction she will have with the baby gate as well, she seems to do better once the barrier is removed.
Luna is happy to do whatever I'm doing, whether Im watching tv or gardening. She has not been very demanding of attention when I'm busy around the house.
Luna does not wake us up in the morning. I have slept as late as 8 am without interruption. We have not had to make many changes since adding Luna to our home, things are still pretty relaxed.
Luna sticks close to her person as she loves her human deeply. Luna loves her toys, any attention and interaction with her person. We have yet to have company over so we do not know what her reaction will be to strangers in the house.
So far Luna has exceeded our expectations, and has settled in very quickly.
BUTTERS
French Bulldog
🇨🇦
Toronto, Ontario
male, small, young
French Bulldog
Toronto, Ontario
