Yeager is a 6.5 year old 70 lb brindled mix breed dog. We adopted him in 2020 when he was 2 years old and have enjoyed his energy and company ever since. Though he was advertised to be good with cats, we learned that he is too playful and would most likely cause inadvertent harm to our slow old cat. He loves other dogs and has a few dog friends in our extended family that he plays happily with. He loves the kids in his family and is a happy buddy to them. He is good with his food--our 8 year old can feed him and ask him to "wait" until he is "freed" to eat and he drools and sits patiently. For the past 5 years he has been my running buddy and companion. When he is outside, he is happy to go for a run but he is also happy to just lie around in the sun or in his crate inside.
We did buy him an indestructible crate because he is very skilled at breakouts. Unfortunately, we had an incident a couple of years ago in which he broke out of his crate and into a first aid kit and consumed an entire full bottle of acetaminophen. We rushed him to the veterinary hospital and after a 48 hour stay, his lab work came back excellent and he was released. We have seen no medical complications as a result in the past 2 years but we have seen a more anxious profile. Despite putting him on clonicalm and re-upping our basic training sessions with him, he is less trustful of strangers. We were hoping that with time, training, and attention we would be able to undo the impact of that difficult incident. Unfortunately, he is more inclined to growl and behave distrustfully around strangers and the past two years have not changed this.
We live on a boarding high school campus and cannot risk having him bite anyone if they activate whatever triggers seem to have been instilled in him during his vet hospital experience. He is largely a friendly, sweet boy but we are not able to predict when he will feel threatened by people around us. We have not had a biting incident but he has taken up growling when he does not like a person. We love him but we know that if he were to do anything out of fear in our setting, he would need to be put down. We are hoping he can find a home where he can be loved and can live out his natural life. I know he will take time to go through the adjustment process of a new home but we would love for him to find peace where he can be most safe. He needs another kind person to treat him well. Wisdom Panel informed us that he is 43% Mastiff, 18% American Pit Bull Terrier, 14% Great Pyrenees and then a bunch of other breeds. I also want to note that he is terrified of thunderstorms and fireworks.
Pet's Name:
Yeager
Dog: Primary Breed:
Mastiff
Birthdate (an estimate is okay):
November, 2018
Age Category:
Adult
Where did you get your pet?:
Petfinder.com
Adoption Day (when did you adopt your pet? An estimate is okay.):
Spring, 2020
Gender:
Male
Size (at full-grown):
Large
Weight (in pounds, at full-grown size):
70
Primary Color:
Calico/Multi/Tricolor
What are your pet's favorite toys and activities?:
Loves running around outside and happy to lay around inside.
Has your dog received any formal obedience training?:
No
What commands does your dog know?:
Sit, stay, wait, lie down
How does your dog react to being left alone for short periods?:
He is okay but definitely prefers being with his family. He really hates thunderstorms or fireworks and so he is terrified when left alone during these times.
Are there any specific triggers that cause your dog anxiety or stress?:
He gauges some people as a threat.
Is there a daily routine that works well for your dog (feeding, walking, sleep)?:
He is pretty flexible about the morning and evening. We typically get him out and feed him around 6:30-7:30 a.m. and 6:30-8:00 pm for coming back in and going into his crate.
Medical History and Care:
Vaccinations up to date
Spayed or Neutered
House/Litter-Trained
Microchipped
Special Diet
Special Needs
Never Vetted
Unknown
Does your pet have any history of health issues or medical conditions that potential adopters should be aware of?:
We do give him clonicalm to help with anxiety as we were hoping this would help him manage his sense of threat around some people.
Has your dog ever shown any challenging behaviors, such as biting a person or another pet? If so, please share some context.:
He has not bit another person but he has snapped at the air near others when he feels threatened and he has growled when he feels threatened. This all began after a traumatic visit to a vet hospital which included a 48 hour stay.
How often does your dog require grooming (e.g., bathing, brushing, trimming)? :
not frequently--short hair
Does your dog have a dental care routine (e.g., brushing, chews, professional cleanings)?:
We do not do this.
Personality:
Playful
Constant Companion
High Energy
Medium Energy
Low Energy
Stubborn
Timid
Needs Training
Friendly to Strangers
Good with Other Dogs
Good with Young Children
Good with Cats
Bonded Pair
Requires A Fenced Yard
Crate Trained
Purebred
How is your dog with other dogs?:
Friendly: Generally gets along well with other dogs.
How is your dog with cats?:
Not sure: Haven't had enough interaction to determine.
What's the most endearing thing about your dog?:
He is so cuddly despite being so big. He likes to try to snuggle up with us.
What criteria are important to you when considering an adoptive family or home for your pet?:
I want someone prepared to take on a dog with his potential for feeling threatened by strangers. He is scared of storms. He is very treat/food motivated and he often chooses to be in his crate even when we do not put him in it but that required us to get a larger sized indestructible crate that he can see through all sides of and can't escape.
Is there anything else you'd like your pet's new family to know?:
He does like to get into and eat random things. He does not get on furniture or chew on things in the house but when he is bored, he will eat the most food-like thing he can get a hold of.
Why are you rehoming your pet (primary reason)?:
Pet Behavior
Details about rehoming reason (if needed):
We live on a boarding high school campus and cannot risk having him bite anyone if they activate whatever triggers seem to have been instilled in him during his vet hospital experience. He is largely a friendly, sweet boy but we are not able to predict when he will feel threatened by people around us. We have not had a biting incident but he has taken up growling when he does not like a person. We love him but we know that if he were to do anything out of fear in our setting, he would need to be put down. We are hoping he can find a home where he can be loved and can live out his natural life. I know he will take time to go through the adjustment process of a new home but we would love for him to find peace where he can be most safe. He needs another kind person to treat him well.
If applicable, do you have the legal right or necessary permission from the breeder or rescue organization to rehome this pet? :
Not Applicable
Yes
How long will you be able to keep your pet before you may need to consider surrendering him or her to a rescue?:
One month
What do you feed your pet, and does he/she have any feeding quirks or preferences?:
none
Do you currently have pet insurance?:
Yes
Would you consider a long-distance adoption?:
Yes
No
Maybe
City, State:
Bethlehem, CT
Zip Code:
06751
How did you hear about us?:
Google Search
Service Level:
Priority Placement: Full Support + Accelerated Marketing