Chip

Hello! I would like to introduce you to Chip. Many volunteers have worked with him and socialized him with other dogs. He is looking for a true home, but would be glad for a foster home. Here is his story:

Chip (A1680606) is a very sweet although shy 9-month-old, neutered male English foxhound puppy.  When he arrived he was quite shy, and it appeared he had never been on a leash.  After just a couple times coming out with volunteers, he was eager to come out and handled walking through the gauntlet of barking dogs better.  He can be a bit shy with new people while putting on the leash, but with those he has spent even just one time with, he now is eager to come out and is good with the leash.  He is a typical puppy with a bit of energy but he is not a wild boy.  He jumps up with initial excitement, but he is learning “off” and is catching on.  He is very people oriented once he has spent some time with you.  He enjoys affection.  He is very smart and is learning the cue for sit.  He is one of the dogs in our Shy Dog Program, and we had thought he had made a lot of progress, so were graduating him.  But now he is getting rowdy and excited in his kennel from lack of an outlet for that puppy energy.  We have asked other volunteers to work with him and they report that he is a bit shy the first time out but the next greatly improved.  He has attended a couple of play groups.  When approaching the play yard he was very eager and after entering he immediately began playing. He had a great time playing with the seven other dogs in the group that particular day.  Another of our shy dogs, Lady Gibson, is one of his favorite play buddies.  Like most puppies, he is enthusiastic and plays with a bit of pawing/touching.  One of the dogs in his last play group was not enjoying that type of play; she corrected Chip, and he paid attention with no escalation.  He slowed down his play to be a bit softer or just stayed with the rowdier players.  He should do well with most other dogs.  It seems he just needs an environment like a home where he can build a bit more confidence, guidance, and patience through puppyhood and get his chance for adoption.

Lenny

Hi! Welcome to the blog written in support of dogs and cats at the Albuquerque Animal Welfare Department. We have a few bios for dogs written by Julie Grimes. If you are looking for an adoptable dog read on!

Lenny (A1677150) is a 1 year old, male, Rottweiler mix. His coloring is the only resemblance to a Rottie. He is very small only about 30-25 pounds. He has a very slight build, long snout and tail. Lenny was surrendered to us when they adopted him and their four other dogs attacked him. As you can imagine he arrived very shy and a bit shell shocked. Lenny is eager to come out and quite good on leash. He knows the cue for sit well and is eager to please. He enjoys being petted and is an affectionate boy. He can get active in his kennel when dogs walk by. Perhaps this is due to his unfortunate experience with the four other dogs. Once he is outside he is calmer and enjoys walks. He can be startled by some movements and may be a bit shyer around men. To try and help his comfort with other dogs we have brought him to the play yard with only one very soft dog with good social skills. He didn’t seem interested in play but enjoyed socializing & sniffing the other dog. He behaved well with no lip lifts or growls.   He does become very timid around a group of dogs. We think very playful rowdy dogs would be scary for him. He does not get noticed and we think the Rottweiler designation is inaccurate and may be hindering an adoption due to many landlord rules. Lenny could greatly benefit from a calmer home.  When he is taken out for a walk he always takes care of business immediately although we do not know if he is house trained.

Emmy

Emmy (A1594259)is a 3 year old, female, Border Collie mix. Emmy was surrendered when her owner moved. She has had a very hard time in the kennel environment and we think she was grieving from not being with her owner. She is a highly intelligent and sensitive girl like many of her breed. She was extremely fearful when she arrived but now is very eager to come out and be with people. She must have been a constant companion to her owner and she is happiest shadowing someone. She used to be quite good on leash but since she does not get out often she jumps up for attention.  She responds to “off” & “no” but just needs this on a consistent basis. While out with someone she craves being touched. She can be quite a gentle girl and enjoys sitting next to you or putting her paws up on your lap for a hug. We think Emmy had been an only dog. When brought to the play yard with another soft dog she was not interested in play but seemed to enjoy sniffing and greeting. She got a bit jealous when the other dog butted in for attention. She could be an active girl but also just a constant companion. She is suffering in the over stimulated environment of the shelter and this makes her anxious and nervous at times.  A home environment should help her with the loss of an owner as well as being anxious for attention.

Sweetie

Sweetie (A1667171) is an 11 month old, female American Foxhound mix. She does not bark but has a unique vocabulary and makes some unusual sounds. A customer asked if she may have had her vocal cords cut at some time but we think it is just her way of speaking. Poor girl has been adopted I think twice and returned for moving?  It appears she was just left alone in the backyard while at both of these homes.  When she first came to our shelter she was painfully shy even with people. She warmed up to people quickly and was very fearful of dogs. She participated in a couple play groups before she was adopted back then. She was more interested in people, somewhat uncomfortable with other dogs and not playful.  Her second time again she was not with us long before she was adopted. She is a very striking looking puppy and a sweetheart. This time she was surrendered she only shy initially around the noise in the kennel but desperate to be with people. She is frustrated by not getting out more than once every couple of weeks and so jumps up for attention and can even nip at your hand if you are not fully attentive to her. On those occasions when we have enough volunteers to get her out more often she shows improvement and does not jump up or grab your hand. She could greatly benefit from being in a quieter environment of a home. Being in a home she will be around people more and get attention daily. We hope this will decrease what seems to be desperation to be with people. While in her kennel she has not been destructive. She lies on her bed but when someone approaches she starts her chortling/speaking. We do not know if she is house trained as she does not get out often so has been forced to use the outside of her kennel. She has participated in play group this time around and still seems to have no interest in playing with other dogs. She is a little sensitive when dogs approach and are very tactile pawing her or pouncing on her. She will give them a correction but lets it go. We have noticed she bonds quickly to people and may be a bit jealous when another dog tries to horn in on the attention. This too is something that is hard to help Sweetie with in a shelter environment and not on a daily basis.