Dante

My story

Dante - 8 months, 40lbs, Cattle Dog & Spaniel Mix, Neutered - Needs to gain weight! Expected to be about 50lbs full grown - once he gets some weight and muscle onto him  Our Team Says: Dante grew up in boarding/a shelter setting since he was 8 weeks old so he's a bit shy. Due to this he needs a home in a calm area, the burbs would be ideal. Our dream home for him would also have a dog in it so he can learn how to dog :)  Dante has come a LONG way. He found a foster home in the burbs and is such a sweet and silly boy!! We are hoping someone loves him as much as we all do on our team!  Thier Foster Parent Says: "Dante has been pure joy.  Within a few hours of arriving home, he was learning to play fetch and running like a maniac in the backyard.  He truly loves doing laps.  While he hasn't exhibited any separation anxiety, he is definitely my shadow when I am home.  He follows me everywhere.  He sits at my feet or pressed against me on the couch.  He's like a gangly teenager who has no concept of his size.  He crams himself anywhere to sit beside me.  He has definitely improved on the leash and only pulls minimally.  However, he hasn't completely grasped that walks are for potty business.  So far the only place he is completely comfortable doing his business is in the backyard.   He's also still very shy around men.  If my husband walks out of the house 8 times a day, Dante barks upon his return 8 times. He just barks, nothing more though and is fine inside just forgets who he is when he comes home.   It's actually kind of cute.  He loves his toys, ice cubes and carrots.  He has definitely picked up the latter two from my other dogs. He is wonderful and fits right in.He's gentle and funny and silly." Cuddle Bug Level High -- Wants to be in your lap pretty much all the time - Dante leans toward the high level.  He just wants to be near his human when they are home.  He's a little big for a lap dog but he's usually attached to me in some way.  His head is often resting on my legs or feet.   Potty TrainedYes -- Few or no accidents - I am truly impressed at how well Dante is doing.  He has only one minor accident in the house and I actually think he got over excited by men working outside.  The small trail was as if he was running.  Otherwise, he does his business in the backyard with no issues.  He wakes up between 6 and 7 am and we go right outside.  He pees on cue.  Lately, he stands by the back door when he has to pee.   Comfy with strangers? Quite the wallflower, very shy with new people and takes a while to warm up. Afraid when unfamiliar people try to say hi on the street, hides or shrinks back when new people visit the home. - Dante is still a scaredy cat especially around men.  I don't know if it's their size or deep voices but he doesn't love them.  After the initial barking he pretty much just stays close to me.   Comfortable with Children? (ALWAYS requires supervision) Can't tell. Haven't been around any children.  Yes for 12 and up -- may be a little energetic or a little skittish, best with older children that can be extra gentle or that are big enough not to get accidentally knocked down  Social with Other Dogs? Yes -- Good with all other dogs (sizes, breeds, etc.) as far as we know and enjoys socializing with other canines - He definitely enjoys my other dogs thought my little guy is still a bit hesitant around him.  He just wants to play.  Great with other dogs!! - Fine with all sizes and ages. Very gentle.  Respectful of Other Animals? (cats, small pets, etc.)Yes - fine to be in a home with cats: he's great with cats :)  Mouthy Behavior?  Low – Little to no interest in chewing on stuff or putting things in its mouth that aren’t food. Doesn’t try to chew on hands, feet, etc. during playtime, doesn’t wreck your stuff -- only chews on appropriate things like dog toys and bones.  - He is mostly good.  In the morning after his first pee, we try to come back to bed for a bit.  Then and only then he'll try to gnaw on my sleeper or the edge of the bed. I think he's just restless and wants to play and I want a couple more minutes of sleep.  He responds well to correction.   Leash Manners? Getting the Hang of it – Probably hasn’t been on a leash much in its life but he/she is figuring it out. Might be a mild puller but responds to correction.  - He's definitely making progress in this regard.  He likes to sniff which lleads to moderate pulling.   Okay in the city?  - NO - must have a home in the burbs with a fenced in yard.  Jumping on People to Say Hi? Low – Doesn’t jump up on people or dogs. Always all four on the floor.  - The only time I have seen him jump at all are during fetch when I am about to release his toy.  He's just eager to retrieve it.  .  Separation Anxiety? (Please be sure to leave your foster dog home alone every single day for at least 20 minutes.)  Low – Completely fine being left home alone. Doesn’t cry or do anything shitty when you leave the apartment or house.  Crate training? Not at all – Don’t even have one, I’ve puppy proofed and we free range.   Medical status:Healthy as far as we know. Up to date on their DHPP and Bordetella vaccines (for dogs under 4 months old, adopters will need to finish the DHPP vaccine series and administer the Rabies vaccine at 16 weeks of age), spayed/neutered; microchipped; treated with dewormer uponHow this dog ended up with Social Tees:Most of our dogs come via partner groups who help us save them from shelters where they are at risk of euthanasia in Tennessee or St. Thomas. There are very few spay/neuter resources there and many more animals in those areas than there are people to adopt them. Rescue groups like ours bring them to the northeast where the desire for pets like these allows us to save their lives.  PLEASE NOTE: We cannot guarantee any breed mix, exact age, or full grown size (if the dog is under a year old). We do our best with very educated guesses though!  This animal is not at the Social Tees office, all are in foster homes. LEARN MORE ABOUT US: socialteesnyc.org and Instagram @socialteesnyc ##2333917##

If you have any questions or would like to adopt Dante, please reach out to the adoption group directly. PetSmart Charities does not facilitate the adoption process. Thank you.