Geneva

Geneva is a great lady who makes herself at home inside. She will settle into her couch and stay there curled up in a hound ball or stretched out like a snoozing pig for hours at a time. This sedentary side of Geneva's character belies her true passion, which is to be active outside in the company of her person. She generally does not like to be left alone outside (unless she has caught the scent of something); rather she bonds with her people through adventure - be it exploratory neighborhood walks, rampages at the local park chasing squirrels, ogling guinea pigs at PetSmart, or barking (and splashing) up a storm at the doggy beach. She is very comfortable getting in and out of cars, going to the vet, having her nails clipped (food is always a helpful incentive), and getting her teeth brushed.

When you meet Geneva, you are immediately drawn to her gentle disposition, endearing soft ears that fan out with curiosity, and perceptive brown eyes. Do not be fooled by her age - Geneva is incredibly youthful and vivacious (When first adopted, someone asked how old she was and I told them she was seven. They clarified, "Seven months?"). She still loves to play chase in the backyard with her people, gnaws on toys when excited, and never tires of action. Geneva is wicked smart and easily picks up rules, hand gestures, tone, and routines (She knows that when I close my laptop at 4:30 and turn off my office lamp that it's time for dinner, so she preemptively runs to the kitchen.) She is not a licker or a "velcro dog," but Geneva appreciates quiet companionship and will be instant best friends with any one who engages her in play, takes her on a car ride, or runs around the park with her. Her goofy indignance and unwavering self-confidence have made her an endless source of entertainment. To know her is to love her (and laugh).

Pet's Name: Geneva
Dog: Primary Breed: Coonhound
Primary Breed (if not in list): Treeing Walker Coonhound
Birthdate (an estimate is okay): June 23, 2016
Age Category: Adult
Where did you get your pet?: PAW Rescue
Was this pet ever in a shelter, rescue, or foster program? If yes, please provide details.: Geneva was taken from a shelter by PAW Rescue when she was 5-years-old and was in and out of foster care until we adopted her at the age of 7.
Adoption Day (when did you adopt your pet? An estimate is okay.): August 7, 2023
Gender: Female
Size (at full-grown): Medium
Approximate adult weight in pounds (number only): 53
Primary Color: Calico/Multi/Tricolor
What are your pet's favorite toys and activities?: Romps at the park, hiking, car rides, trips to the doggy beach and PetSmart, soft plush dog toys
Has your dog received any formal obedience training?: No
What commands does your dog know?: Sit, Shake, Wait, Quiet
How does your dog react to being left alone for short periods?: No trouble
Are there any specific triggers that cause your dog anxiety or stress?: Thunder, lightning, toddlers
Is there a daily routine that works well for your dog (feeding, walking, sleep)?: We feed Geneva twice day: breakfast by 9AM and dinner between 4-6PM. She likes to be walked every 3-4 hours, especially after meals. Geneva always sleeps through the night and waits for us to come to her in the morning.
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?: Geneva has a thyroid condition that is easily managed with an inexpensive, twice-daily pill. She takes it with her meals, sometimes dipped in a smidge of peanut butter.
Has your dog ever been diagnosed with or treated for any of the following? (Please check all that apply, even if your dog has fully recovered. This helps us provide the best support for future families.):
Allergies (environmental or food-related)
Anaplasmosis (tick-borne)
Anxiety Issues
Arthritis or Joint Pain
Canine Distemper
Chronic Ear Infections
Dental Disease
Ehrlichiosis (tick-borne)
Heartworm
Influenza
Kennel Cough
Leptospirosis
Lipomas, Cysts, or Other Lumps/Bumps
Lyme Disease
Parvovirus
Seizures
Skin Conditions
Vaccine Reactions
Other
Has your dog ever shown any challenging behaviors, such as biting a person or another pet? If so, please share some context.: Geneva has no history of injurious bites. She has exhibited minor nipping toward a toddler in a small number of situations involving food or personal space. No skin was broken and no injuries occurred. These incidents were limited to toddler-related contexts.
How often does your dog require grooming (e.g., bathing, brushing, trimming)? : No professional grooming needed. We bathe Geneva once a month during warm months. Occasionally we clip Geneva's nails, but she largely self-grooms.
Does your dog have a dental care routine (e.g., brushing, chews, professional cleanings)?: We brush Geneva's teeth every night before bed.
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?: Aggressive: Does not get along with cats and may show aggressive behavior.
What's the most endearing thing about your dog?: Geneva is very trusting of people, even those she does not know very well. From the beginning, Geneva let us pet her, groom her, bathe her, and perform rudimentary first aid on her without her showing any aggression whatsoever. The sweetest time of day is when we tuck her into her couch at night while petting her.
What criteria are important to you when considering an adoptive family or home for your pet?: Geneva's ideal family would be active, have older or no children, and have no cats or caged pets.
Is there anything else you'd like your pet's new family to know?: While mild-mannered, Geneva barks when approached in close proximity by other dogs and generally does not enjoy their company (unless it's the doggy beach). Otherwise, Geneva does not seek out other dogs or pay them much mind. We have observed her bonding with some dogs, but it takes her time. For that reason, it is probably best that she is the only dog in the house or is introduced slowly. Geneva is very easygoing and trusting around older children, teens, and adults, but small children make her anxious (which is the only reason why we're rehoming her), so it would be best if she was placed in a home either without children or with children older than five. As a purebred coonhound, Geneva has a profound prey drive. Fortunately, she is very good at learning rules and can be trained where it is and is not permissible to bark. That being said, she would not be a good fit for a family with caged pets or cats.
Why are you rehoming your pet (primary reason)?: Baby/Child Safety
Details about rehoming reason (if needed): Once our daughter entered the toddling stage, Geneva became a bit anxious. She has three times nipped at our daughter's face, twice when there was perceived competition for handouts and once when she felt that her personal space had been encroached upon. Our daughter was not harmed, and no skin was broken. Geneva has otherwise not displayed any aggression toward our daughter or any other children; she will even comfortably engage in supervised play with our daughter. Since the last nipping incident, we keep Geneva and our daughter separate at meal times. We love Geneva dearly, but with another child on the way this summer, we do not feel comfortable sustaining this dynamic and worry about Geneva becoming increasingly anxious.
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?: Three months
Who is your veterinarian?: Silver Spring Animal Hospital
What do you feed your pet, and does he/she have any feeding quirks or preferences?: Kirkland adult dog food with modest handouts throughout the day
Do you currently have pet insurance?: No
Would you consider a long-distance adoption?:
Yes
No
Maybe
City, State: Kensington, MD
Zip Code: 20895
How did you hear about us?: Google Search
Service Level: Tailored Placement: Full Support for Behavioral or Medical Needs