Meet Dexter, a 3 yr old Pitt mix w/ a big heart and a bigger love for play! This motivated, energetic boy thrives on mental and physical exercise and will do any trick for his ball, toy, or treats. He loves spending time outside, playing fetch, and showing off his skills every day. When he's not busy training or playing, he enjoys chewing on his toys, going for car rides, and cuddling up for naps with his humans after exercise. Dex is very affectionate with the people he trusts but he needs time to bond. Once he does, he's incredibly loyal and loving. He is highly food motivated and eager to learn, making ongoing training a fun and rewarding experience. He has done phenomenally well with small children in my family, I recommend a home without young kids unless they are able to properly meet and bond with him. He is an avid fence jumper and has slight reactivity to other dogs and is wary of strangers, so he needs an experienced owner committed to ongoing training and socialization.
Pet's Name:
Dexter
Dog: Primary Breed:
American Pitbull Terrier
Birthdate (an estimate is okay):
7/1/2022
Age Category:
Adult
Where did you get your pet?:
Family Rescue
Adoption Day (when did you adopt your pet? An estimate is okay.):
March 2023
Gender:
Male
Size (at full-grown):
Large
Weight (in pounds, at full-grown size):
63
Primary Color:
Calico/Multi/Tricolor
What are your pet's favorite toys and activities?:
Orange chuck it ball, fetch, running, doing multiple tricks for ball or treats
Has your dog received any formal obedience training?:
No
What commands does your dog know?:
Sit, down, off, drop-it, leave-it, take a break (for drinking water too fast), stay (w/ low distraction), Come here (w/ low distraction, go to home (crate), muzzle, spin, up, go around, guard (in between legs), and heel
How does your dog react to being left alone for short periods?:
He does fine, he is crate trained and will sleep in crate after exercise and potty break.
Are there any specific triggers that cause your dog anxiety or stress?:
Yes, strangers, especially in his home or around yard. Excessive baby talk like "it's okay". Nail trims. He has an okay threshold to seeing other dogs on leash, but does have leash reactivity to dogs.
Is there a daily routine that works well for your dog (feeding, walking, sleep)?:
Fed twice a day, 10-12 hrs apart. A bare minimum of two, 30 minute exercise times/enrichment/training. Might need more in cold weather. Will take naps in crate. Sleeps overnight in owners bedroom, on floor blankets/bed.
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?:
Just needs wet dog food incorporated into dry food.
Has your dog ever shown any challenging behaviors, such as biting a person or another pet? If so, please share some context.:
Yes he doesn't like strangers and has snapped at vet before. He is a fence jumper and will jump it if he sees other people or animals.
How often does your dog require grooming (e.g., bathing, brushing, trimming)? :
When he blows his coat, he will need to be brushed multiple times a week. Otherwise, only need brushed a few times a month. Takes baths well for me, I give baths when he gets into the mud or something messy. He doesn't let me do nail trims.
Does your dog have a dental care routine (e.g., brushing, chews, professional cleanings)?:
He let's me brush his teeth easy (it is easier to do when he is panting slightly) I use an enzyme chicken flavored toothpaste w/ multiple different brushes.
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?:
Selective: Gets along with some dogs but not others.
How is your dog with cats?:
Selective: Gets along with some cats but not others.
What's the most endearing thing about your dog?:
His agility abilities and learning new tricks and commands in general. And when he warms up to new people and can bond w them overtime.
What criteria are important to you when considering an adoptive family or home for your pet?:
Experienced dog owners, that can commit to ongoing training and understand his body language.
Is there anything else you'd like your pet's new family to know?:
He would be perfect for agility training. He has high prey drive and motivated. Dex is muzzle trained, so we go on walks with the muzzle sometimes, then he goes to the vet with a muzzle. He does bond with new people and dogs overtime. He would benefit from e-collar training since he is a fence jumper and more desensitization to other dogs on leash.
Why are you rehoming your pet (primary reason)?:
Incompatible with Other Pets
Details about rehoming reason (if needed):
He still tries chasing my cat still, although has gotten better. My schedule is tight between deciding to go to college and having to keep a job down. I have no other pet parents at home that can let him out the crate when I'm gone. I'm worried for my near future when I can't find adequate housing for him. I'm able to keep him in my yard with tie outs and safety leashes, but it's risky since he jumps the fence and I don't have resources or finances to do proper e-collar training.
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?:
Not an option, my pet will stay with me for as long as it takes
Who is your veterinarian?:
West End Animal Clinic
What do you feed your pet, and does he/she have any feeding quirks or preferences?:
Diamond naturals beef, topped off with a variety of different canned foods (change up the protein) otherwise he will throw up the food hours later due to building protein intolerance is my best guess. He drinks and ears to quickly so I half hand feed and give him a semi slow feeder bowl. Additionally, he knows the leave-it/take a break command as well.
Do you currently have pet insurance?:
No
Would you consider a long-distance adoption?:
Yes
No
Maybe
City, State:
Radford, VA
Zip Code:
24141
How did you hear about us?:
Google Search
Service Level:
Priority Placement: Full Support + Accelerated Marketing