Meet Betty
Name: Betty (fka Chili/Totoro)
Breed: Lab mix
Approximate Age: 2 years old
Approximate Weight: 20 lbs
Personality: tentative initially but loves her humans once she gets to know them
Observations with Dogs: has done well with other dogs with proper introduction
Observations with Cats: may be too interested to coexist peacefully with cats
Observations with Kids: she does not do well with children
Currently Living at: DC area foster home
Betty has grown so much in her time with us! She arrived as an extremely fearful and reactive pup, and has really blossomed with the help of some positive reinforcement, patience, and the assistance of anxiety medication. She does need ongoing management, a calm and stable home, and plenty of exercise to be her best self. Her adopter will also need to enlist the assistance of a fear-free, force-free trainer. We realize that might seem like a lot, but this girl is worth it, especially for that moment when she finally realizes she is safe and loved, and settles in at last.
She thrives in a calm, predictable environment. That means homes with children or multiple roommates/family members are not a good fit for her. If children are possibly in your future, or if you may have grandchildren regularly visiting, Betty will not be a good fit for you.
Betty has a lot of great attributes – she loves to play, seeks out affection and attention, and is a quick learner. Because she struggled so much with her fearfulness, her vet suggested medication when her training alone wasn’t helping her enough. We are never quick to turn to medication and always prefer to use positive reinforcement training first, but in Betty’s case, the medication is instrumental in allowing her to live with less stress, which in turn, makes her a happier dog. She is still reactive to other dogs on leash, but responds well to training, so she needs an adopter who will be consistently with her and help her feel confident.
Her ideal adopter is someone who is experienced and patient and willing to continue working with her to manage her fear and anxiety, including through the use of medication. We can recommend a trainer who can arm you with the knowledge of how to read her and help set her up for success. The other benefit of training is to help build trust between you and Betty and a deeper bond. As mentioned above, she thrives in a calm home free of chaos, as well as one where she will have ample exercise and play time. When she does not have those things, she nips out of fear and frustration, so it is important to note that she has bitten/nipped at strangers (level 1-2 bites) and will do it again when she is stressed if not properly managed. The good news is she CAN be properly managed.
She currently lives with multiple dogs and does well with other dogs with proper introduction. While she didn’t fail her cat test, she may be too interested in cats to coexist with them peacefully; that said, she is a bit more mature now and can be retested if your home includes a feline.
Betty has so much to offer, and she so deserves a forever home that can support her and make her feel safe. It is all she has ever wanted.
The adoption fee for this dog is $350. If you are interested in adopting Betty, please submit an adoption application at http://dcpawsrescue.org/adoption-info/adoption-application-dogs