Penguin

Penguin is a 3-year old female hound mix weighing 55 pounds. She’s one of the sweetest and most loving dogs. She loves belly and butt rubs, gives great kisses, and is always wagging her tail. Her fear makes life outside of her “bubble” difficult, but she’s super smart and well-behaved in her safe space, knowing numerous tricks and crate-trained. She’s made tremendous behavioral progress since we adopted her in 2021, and, since we moved to the outskirts of Philadelphia, our behaviorist and trainer both believe that Penguin would lead an easier and happier life in a quieter, more isolated environment. Since she’s a lovely dog with no history of aggression, we know that she’d be an excellent addition to the “right” family. First, let’s get a few basics out of the way: ? I’m currently 2 years and 10 months old, and I weigh 55 pounds ? I’m a spayed, female dog ? While I look and act like my hound sister, my Embark DNA test shows that I’m a mix of Australian Cattle Dog (29.7%), Mountain Cur (17.3%), Bluetick Coonhound (13.3%), American Pit Bull Terrier (12.8%), Plott (12.7%), American Bulldog (7.5%), and Great Pyrenees (6.7%) ? I’ll continue to live in my parents’ home until they can find me a new home As I said, my parents think I’m a super sweet dog. I am proud to say that I am: ? Curious and learn quickly. I know many tricks including sit, down, up, off, heel, paw, leave it, stay, look at me, boop (AKA touch), quiet, fetch (sometimes), come, find it, and get on your beddie ? Crate-trained and am generally happy to be in my crate. I do NOT suffer from separation anxiety ? Potty-trained and NEVER have accidents ? Leash-trained even though I might pull or get too scared to walk. I also know how to wear a gentle leader and a harness ? Gentle! I have NEVER displayed aggression toward a person nor dog and have NEVER bitten anyone ? Good at completing food puzzles and like to sniff for my food ? A committed chewer and licker. I love nylon bones, antlers, yak cheese, bully sticks, frozen kongs, licky mats, etc. ? Almost always wagging my tail when I’m around people I know ? A lover of belly and butt rubs. I frequently ask for them from my parents. I also like to kiss them from time to time ? A great dog sister who loves to cuddle (sometimes more than she likes) and does NOT engage in resource guarding ? Learning how to play with my parents. I sometimes like to fetch when I’m not distracted, and I’ll even play tug when I’m feeling super safe and comfortable ? Really excited about strange dogs even though I don’t know how to meet them and lack the social skills to navigate such situations. My bark may sound harsh, but I’m just curious and excited to meet them ? Prey-driven. I really enjoy sniffing and chasing prey ? NOT a picky eater. I currently eat Costco food and have never shown any food allergies, skin issues, etc. I like lots of healthy snacks like fruits and vegetables while also enjoying high-value dog treats ? Healthy...physically! I have no known medical issues besides my many behavioral challenges ? Good at taking my meds. Typically, my parents simply put my pills in a pill pocket which I’ve learned to swallow whole ? Comfortable with physical touch. My parents frequently shower me (which I tolerate), touch my paws, clean my ears, etc. However, please don’t think that I’m an easy dog given my many positives! While I’ve made a lot of progress, I still experience intense nervousness and fear. For me, this manifests in many ways such as: ? I like to grab shoes, socks, and other household items that are left unattended and destroy them. However, I have NEVER chewed on furniture, the house, or other more expensive things. Also, I’ve NEVER swallowed anything that I shouldn’t ? I bark loudly for many different reasons, including: if I hear a voice from outside or a stranger comes to the house, in the yard at a person or dog walking by, on a walk if I see a dog, squirrel, or bunny I want to meet, when I have too much energy, and sometimes just because I feel like it. ? I have a lot of energy! Although I’d like to play or go for walks, I can get distracted and often get myself wound up and over threshold. With a big yard where I could run around, dig, chase, etc., I might find my own ways to get my energy out ? I require a lot of patience and need to go at my own pace. If a new object is present (whether it’s totally new or in a new location), I might be too afraid to walk past it or to smell it. This fear might be so intense that I pull very hard back toward an area that I consider safe. ? Although I’ve recently decided that I can take a car ride to other homes with familiar faces, I might not be willing to walk through the door. If I walk in, I might not settle while there, and I really benefit from having a safe space where I can remove myself from a situation that makes me uncomfortable. At home, my crate can be a really assuring safe space ? I require special accommodation when going to the vet. Ideally, they’ll have a side door through which I can sneak in and find a quiet room without encountering other people or dogs. That said, I’ve recently started walking into the vet without requiring my parents to carry me Now that you’ve gotten to know me a bit better, my parents have asked me to share a few more boring but important details with you. They’ve asked me to share that: ? I am currently working with a veterinary behaviorist, and will require ongoing behavioral care. Although my parents are working to refine and reduce my list of medications, I currently take the following behavioral medications: o Amitriptyline o Lorazepam o Gabapentin ? An ideal home for me will have many of these attributes: o No human children. Although I’ve spent some time with babies, toddlers, and other kids, I don’t feel particularly safe with them, so it’s better for time with kids to be limited to visits o A big yard in an area that doesn’t have lots of human and dog traffic o Peace and quiet. I don’t dislike visitors, but I need time to unwind and benefit from a zen routine o Parents who understand that I likely won’t ever be able to go to doggie daycare, spend the night at a kennel, or accompany them to a festival, busy park, business, etc. o A crate where I can rest when I’m overstimulated or when my parents leave the house o Another, mature, well-behaved dog who can help show me the ropes and give me confidence in new, scary situations o No non-canine pets or small dogs. Given my high prey drive, this might not turn out well. That said, one of my best friends is a corgi ? They don’t really know much about my history or why I’m such a unique, loving, and challenging dog. Things they do know: o I was born in Arkansas o I left my mom with my two siblings at two weeks old and lived in a basement in southern Illinois until I was spayed at six months. Although my siblings seemed like normal puppies, I was a challenge o At six months of age, I entered a foster home connected to a rescue in Chicago, IL. My foster parents told my current parents that I was super scared, had to be carried outside for the bathroom, and was scared of their human children. However, they said I also liked to snuggle on the couch after their kids were asleep and that I liked their other dogs o They adopted me when I was seven months old. I spent the next five months too afraid to leave my crate. Thankfully, I eventually was too curious to stay in my crate forever and liked to follow my sister outside where I realized it was much more fun to go potty o It took me nearly a year before I was willing to wear a leash o I’ve slowly learned so much about being a “normal” dog. Although it almost always takes longer than they’d expect (and still longer than that), I am a great learner and eventually be comfortably with many things