Jake

******Please note, once completing the initial screen you will be connected with the placement for a video chat. Transports run every few weeks and we will have the dog on the next available transport once approved. If you are not able to accept a dog until a specific time period, please apply at that time************ We are a volunteer run rescue and donate our time to these dogs. IF you are not serious about moving forward in our adoption process, please do not apply. If someone other than yourself is part of the decision making process, please make sure you have spoken with them and they are on board. We really do not want to waste anyone's time if you are not serious about adopting this dog. Jake, 2yr old, neutered male black labrador/pit bull mix, 75 pounds. Jake is in a foster home in Houston, TEXAS and can transport out of state once an approved adopter is lined up! Jake was found wandering the streets of a Houston neighborhood with a pregnant female companion. When he was taken to the city shelter, he was in rough shape—infested with fleas, losing his hair, and looking very skinny. Fortunately, he was rescued by Dizzy Dog, and his journey to recovery began. Jake can be a bit clumsy at times, but he has the sweetest personality! He absolutely loves going to new places in the car and meeting new people (he never passes up a chance at getting some attention ?) and animals! He has occasional bursts of energy but a short game of fetch or running around the backyard with a dog friend is enough to tire him out. After which, he enjoys sunbathing on the patio. He also loves a chill 20-30 minute walk! Each night while we are making dinner, he lays calmly on the kitchen floor. He never begs for human food, just wants to be close to us! Jake has never met a dog he doesn’t like. He loves all dogs, both big and small! He is great at adjusting his play style to match the size and energy level of other dogs. He plays gently with smaller dogs and is more energetic with larger ones. On leash, he gets excited when he sees other dogs and occasionally jumps around because he wants to play with them. This behavior has decreased with regular daily walks but still happens occasionally. He thrives in environments where he can interact and play with other dogs, making him a great companion for multi-dog households. We have no history with cats nor kids but due to his size and playful nature, we recommend a home with children aged 12 and older. He doesn't intend to hurt anyone, but his size and the way he moves when he is excited could be too much for younger kids. Jake tends to pull with a regular harness, but he walks great with a gentle leader. He has made significant progress in getting used to it and knows it means it's time for a walk. With a gentle leader, he walks calmly with me. However, he does jump around a bit in excitement when he sees squirrels, people, or other dogs. This is improving with regular daily walks and exposure to these triggers. Jake had three accidents in the house when we first got him, each one happening right after he ate. These accidents occurred when he was fed in our kitchen, not in his kennel. Now, we make sure he is fed on our patio or goes outside immediately after eating. Since implementing this routine, he hasn't had any accidents, and it’s been several weeks. Additionally, Jake does not chew on things he shouldn't when he is out of his kennel. Jake has come to feel very comfortable in his kennel, sleeping soundly from 9:30 PM when he happily runs into it until about 7:30 AM. He also goes into the kennel easily during the day if we have to leave the house, especially with a frozen Kong to keep him occupied. Jake does not need to be fed separately. He either eats in his kennel or next to our Weimaraner in the kitchen or on the patio. He shows no aggression with toys or treats, but he sometimes takes the toy Bonnie is playing with, as they have a rougher style of play with each other. He doesn’t have this same style of play with any of our other dogs. Jake has a moderate energy level and can tire out with regular light physical activity, such as a 30-minute walk, a game of fetch, or running around the backyard with one of our dogs. He would thrive in a home with another dog of similar size to play with. While he loves playing with dogs of all sizes, having a more playful companion his size would be ideal. If we are home and he is in his kennel, Jake does bark quite a bit because he can hear us in the house. We rotate our dogs throughout the day, so he is in his kennel some of the time while other dogs are out (this rotation is done because of our dogs, not him). He would likely do fine in his kennel if we weren't in the house where he could hear us. With a consistent routine and positive reinforcement, his separation anxiety has decreased immensely. He usually settles down after a few minutes with a frozen Kong to entertain him. Jake is great at playing with small dogs, often adjusting his play to their level. Despite his size, he is gentle and backs off if they feel overwhelmed. He loves to play and seeks peaceful interactions. Aside from being great at playing with small dogs, he is SO tolerant of them barking or growling at them when they first meet. Our littles were a bit scared of him due to his size at first and he just let them explore and sniff him and get comfortable. He loves to cuddle and be close to his people, whether lying next to you or at your feet. He is a loyal companion who enjoys being around his family. He has good manners and does not beg for food during meal times, making him a pleasant companion during meals. He is very intelligent and a quick learner. He didn’t seem to know any commands when we first got him, but within a few days, he had already learned to sit, wait, and come. He is very treat-motivated, which makes training easy and effective. Jake would thrive in a loving home that offers a balance of physical activity and affectionate family time. He would do best with a family or individual who enjoys moderate physical activities, such as daily walks, backyard play, and occasional games of fetch. Having another playful dog of similar size would be perfect for Jake, as he loves playing with dogs and enjoys having a companion. Jake’s new family should understand his past experiences and be patient with his separation anxiety. He has made great progress but may still whine or bark initially when crated. A consistent routine and positive reinforcement will help him continue to improve. ***Listed BREED and AGE - We are taking our best guess & recommendations from our veterinarian on age, breed and size when fully grown. We rarely know a dog's exact age nor are we able to tell the true or full breed mix of dogs as our information is limited most of the time. *** Interested in applying to adopt him? Fill out an adoption application at the link below! https://www.shelterluv.com/matchme/adopt/DDAR/Dog