Kiwi
Kiwi is the kind of dog everyone needs in a home. She is so cute and those ears can brighten even your darkest days. This 5-year-old, 43 lb. Terrier Mix has a great energy level, loves playing and enjoys laying around after a long walk. Since Kiwi is an amazing listener, she would do great in any home. She has also done well with other dogs, but scheduling a pet meet and greet before she’s adopted is always a good idea; Paws4You.org.
“You would think with these big ears, I’d be a good listener. Guess what? I am!”
Pup Petting
I’m often asked “Someone wanted to pet my puppy but I didn’t want my dog to be scared so I told them no. Should I have let them pet my puppy?” My answer is a very affirmative, “Yes, you should have! You really missed a great opportunity.” Puppies need to have positive, repeated exposure to things we expect them to like or tolerate in adulthood, and they need it starting from the day you bring them home all the way through their second birthday! Most dog bites to people are a direct result of the fact that puppies had little to no exposure during puppyhood. Allowing both adults and children to interact in a positive way with your young puppy teaches your pet that humans are nothing to fear. If you have treats with you, encourage people to feed and gently stroke your puppy’s body. Discourage patting and other rough handling. When you don’t live with small children yourself, small kids are actually really hard to come by. So, if you have the opportunity to allow your young puppy to meet children, you should be jumping at that opportunity to prevent fear-aggression behaviors.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
› Dee Hoult is the owner of Applause Your Paws, South Florida’s largest privately owned pet dog training company. Want to ask her a question about your dog? Email [email protected] or send a DM on Instagram @ApplauseYourPaws. To find a Certified Dog Trainer, visit CCPDT.org or IAABC.org for Certified Behavior Consultants.
