THIS IS DANTE…a 2-3 yr old, 12 lb, tan/white, Shih Tzu/Pekingese?…and his story is so sad.   

This very confused boy was left out in the rain, between Christmas and New Years, with his blanket and a note asking for help.  We don’t know where he came from originally, but early last year he was given to a couple in their 80’s who couldn’t handle him because they didn’t know how.  The note said he had a traumatized life from home to home and now he is fearful and untrusting :(.  They said he was two years and thought he was a purebred Shih Tzu, but we don’t think so!  He has some other mix but whatever it is, it’s cute.  Look at that punim~~!!  It’s sad when a dog has to go through this, but we are happy that he came to us and is getting the love and attention he has needed.

It was obvious to us that Dante not only needed to decompress but also consistency training, so we sent him to bootcamp and he was a good student.  He is still a bit stubborn but appreciates your tenacity and respects it!  You need to count your fingers when offering him a treat — he still doesn’t really understand “gentle.”  He needs to know that you are the boss and not him, and it doesn’t take long until he learns that you are his friend and not his foe.  You need to be aware of his “trigger spots” and they are absolutely manageable.  But, this will be ongoing.

Dante craves love and is incredibly loving…and very cuddly, but doesn’t like to be smothered.  He’d rather smother you!  He is very engaging and wants to play and play and play with you !  He loves to climb all over you to be close.  Fear doesn’t disappear overnight, but the progress he has made is very encouraging.  We are working with him to give him the consistency he needs to be a keeper!  He has even been giving his foster kisses on the cheek and playing with toys!   We are not sure what causes his fear, but it dissipates a little each day.  We want to set him up for success and hopefully he will learn to trust and let go of the fear.  He may always have a bit of this in him, but we hope to make him know he is loved and cherished.  He is.  Not a dog for kids.  He will need a very patient, experienced home…and he is now available to go to his forever home.  He also comes with lifetime training at no cost to you.  He loves other dogs and loves to play.  He does have some food aggression issues that we are working on.

Dante deserves a loving home and hopefully someone will embrace this boy and make him your own.  Could that be with you?