9-year-old Raider was brought to South LA Shelter after his beloved owner passed away. After suddenly losing his person and his home and then spending time in a noisy, crowded shelter, it's no wonder that Raider was fearful when he arrived at Frosted Faces. Over the months since, our dedicated volunteers and foster families have patiently worked to earn Raider's trust. In that time, we've learned so much about this sweet senior and the kind of special family he needs to help him feel safe, loved, and at home again.
When meeting Raider, the best approach is to give him space, avoid reaching for him, and allow him to come to you when he is ready. He needs a gradual transition, predictable routines, limited pressure, and time to learn that his new environment and the people in it are safe. For these reasons, Raider would do best with a patient, dog-experienced adopter who understands canine body language, respects boundaries, and is willing to let trust develop at Raider's pace. With him, trust is not immediate. It is earned, and once he begins to offer it, it's incredibly rewarding.
His current foster mom explains:
"After a month in our home, Raider continues to show us who he really is, and underneath that initially cautious exterior is an incredibly sweet, playful, devoted little dog. It took approximately one week of patience, routine, and respecting his space before Raider began regularly approaching me for pets and attention. As his trust developed, I saw a much softer side of him. He now seeks affection, cuddles beside my 10-year-old daughter (she does not reach for him), and enjoys sleeping on the bed but will settle for underneath it. His interactions with children in my home have been familiar and supervised, and any new relationships should be introduced slowly and thoughtfully.
Raider still prefers that new people not immediately reach out to pet him, but he genuinely enjoys people! We have family over frequently, and he is super playful with visitors. He simply likes to decide when he's ready for physical affection. And once Raider feels safe? He is incredibly trusting. I can now pet, cuddle, and affectionately touch him throughout the day without upsetting him. He seeks me out for belly rubs and snuggles, follows me everywhere, seeks affection from my 10-year-old daughter, and is even opening up to my higher-energy husband. He is a true shadow dog.
Raider LOVES his Hartz Dura Play squeaky balls/bones/ropes, so much that he'll toss his own ball when nobody is available to play. He walks beautifully, loves to race and roll in the grass, and isn't much of a stop-and-sniff guy. His happy place may just be his donut bed in the passenger seat. Point the air toward him and Raider is one VERY happy copilot who loves a long car ride. That car seat has also shown us how much trust matters to him. During his first couple of weeks, Raider could become protective of his bed and spot in the car, so getting him out required patience and space. Almost a month later, he no longer does this with me as he has become more secure and trusting. Seeing that change has been incredibly rewarding.
At home, Raider is wonderfully well-mannered. He learns routines quickly, patiently waits for meals, never begs, leaves the trash alone, and can now stay home for a couple of hours without barking. He and our other foster, Maddox, coexist just fine, although they aren't best buddies and definitely compete for the prime spot next to me. Raider seems much more interested in having his person than a canine best friend. Give him space. Let him feel safe. Let him choose you. Because once Raider does, he becomes the sweetest, most devoted little shadow you could ask for."
Could you be the special family Raider has been waiting for?
To meet Raider, please email:
placement@frostedfacesfoundation.org
MRS. PEACOCK
Rottweiler
🇺🇸
Ramona, California
female, medium, senior
Rottweiler
Ramona, California
