Tess
Terrier Mix | female | 1 year Old | 14 Lbs
QUICK FACTS: ✔️ Good with other dogs! ✔️ Crate trained! ✔️ Good running buddy! ✔️ Good with older kids!
✔️ Housebroken! ❌ Working on leash manners!
Updates
Adopted on November 14, 2020
PUPDATE 3
Tess has now been with us for a month and this update reflects what she's like once she has grown comfortable with her surroundings. She has come a long, long way from when we first met her. The first week we spent with her, she was extremely nervous and skittish, and while she will still crouch low to the ground if you approach her too quickly, she is very comfortable letting me or my husband pick her up at any time.
She has been going to daycare for about a week, which has helped with socialization. The daycare staff say that she was initially nervous the first few visits, but now she loves playing with other dogs at the daycare and has even let staff hold her in their laps. She is still wary of new people but the best way to introduce yourself to her is to ignore her, crouch or sit on the ground, don't make eye contact with her or any sudden movements, and let her investigate you on her own terms. High value treats such as hot dogs also help.
Her leash reactivity has also improved. She is still interested and takes note when she sees other people and dogs on our walks, but she has stopped barking at them and will only grumble occasionally.
At home, she is an absolute sweetheart and just the cutest snugglebug.
PUPDATE 2
Tess hasn't met a lot of new people since she came up to Wisconsin, and is very wary of strangers. It definitely takes more than one meeting to get her to trust someone. She will need someone patient to get her to open up. She is easily startled by sudden movements or gestures, and loud voices. My advice when having new people meet her is to completely ignore her. She likes to get to know you on her own terms. Treats also help.
She has been working on her leash manners and as she gets more used to her surroundings, it's easier for her to ignore distractions. I would say that if she were to live in an apartment setting she would need additional training for her reactivity. She is really getting along well with our 55 lb resident dog - they love to wrestle on the couch, chase each other outside, sniff things together on walks.
PUPDATE 1
Tess is a big personality in a small dog's body. She likes to think she's the boss and will let you know if things aren't to her liking by barking. She sleeps in her crate overnight but would probably prefer to snuggle up to you in your bed. In the morning I let her out first thing to potty, then feed her. She gets a walk after I finish my morning routine, and then hangs out on the couch or in my lap when I work from home. She gets a midday potty break (either let out in yard or quick walk around the block), then goes back to napping on the couch while I wrap up my work day. She gets fed again around 5:30 pm, and then gets another walk. Then she hangs out while we wind down for the day. She gets another quick walk right before bedtime.
Tess is wary of strangers but given enough time will warm up to them. She bonded with me quite quickly when we first got her; she loves to be picked up and held. When I'm working from home, she will sit quietly in my lap. She would prefer a home with older/respectful children, she is not a fan of loud kids that make a lot of sudden movements or that lunge or grab at her.
I would say she is a medium energy dog; she definitely has bursts of energy where she just wants to careen all over the house or zoom around the yard, but she can also calm down and nap on the couch when you're working. She loves puzzle toys with treats in them, so that is a good way to keep her busy. She does well on long walks, she doesn't seem to get tired. She does tend to pull and get excited if she sees a rabbit or squirrel when we're walking. She will also bark at other dogs sometimes (if they bark at her first) on walks.
She gets along well with our other dog (5 y.o. female, 55 lbs) and has played with our neighbor's dog (6 y.o., 35 lbs) as well. She could coexist with another dog or be the only dog. I have not observed her around cats.
I would not recommend leaving her loose when unattended at this point, she does have a tendency to steal slippers, shoes, or socks to gnaw on. We either crate her or put her in the gated off kitchen when we're gone. I would also recommend crating or tethering her when she's in the car, as she will try to climb into the front seat with you and jump all over you while you're driving.
Tess is a sweet, cuddly meatball once she gets to know you, and would make a great companion dog.