My name is Ike!

This little cutie’s name is Ike. He is a lovely small, 25 pound Beagle with big floppy ears, short legs, and a long body. He is the typical tri-colored Beagle which consists of black, white and tan. He’s a healthy 6 years young and loves to play and cuddle. Ike came to us from a rural pound where he was an unclaimed stray. Upon meeting him, it was unfathomable to me as to why he wasn’t claimed. He is just so loving and affectionate that I find it hard to imagine anyone not wanting him. Ike loves people and has yet to meet anyone he doesn’t like. Especially if you’re willing to sit and cuddle with him awhile, he’ll be your best friend and right hand man. 　

Ike shows typical qualities of a hound dog especially during walks where he gets to sniff all the scents that the outdoors has to offer. Ike is a moderate energy dog and going to walks is one of his favorite past times. He will never turn down the opportunity to join you for either a short stroll or a long hike through a trail. When he first entered foster care, he needed to use the gentle leader in order to stop him from pulling me down the street. However, with consistent training and positive reinforcement he has been able to walk without his gentle leader which he is oh so happy about. Ike shows curiosity on walks when coming across other dogs and people but doesn’t show an ounce of aggression, He’s more interested in sniffing out that neighborhood rabbit. Since Beagles are typically used for hunting, it is Ike’s natural instinct to want to track and hunt game and he takes his job seriously! He will often howl or bay bark when he is hot on a track. It can be quite humorous and adds to his charming and goofy character. 　

Ike is completely crate trained and doesn’t make a fuss when you put him in it. He is crated overnight and during the day when we are at work and doesn’t make a peep. Ike quite enjoys his crate and would like to have a crate in his forever home. He likes to sleep in and sometimes even has to be woken up to be let outside. He is completely house trained and will mark several times on a walk. Eating is no issue for Ike; in fact he will try to sneak a bite of whatever you’re eating. He is learning that people food is not for him and he has been responding well to correction in this area. Ike is such a sensitive and gentle soul that gentle corrections are often sufficient enough for him to correct his behavior. He will even come and lay his head on your lap as if to say he’s sorry. He is highly food motivated so teaching him new tricks is a walk in the park. He knows basic commands such as sit, stay, lie down, and back up. 　

Ike does well in the car and will willingly jump into the back seat and lay down. He likes to stick his head out the window and loves to say hi to the people working drive-through windows. Ike is being fostered with a Pug dog and loves to play and wrestle with her. They like to play with plush toys especially and will chase each other around in circles. Ike would do well in a home with another dog but would be just fine as a single dog too where he can have all the love and cuddles to himself. There is also a cat living in the foster home to which Ike has shown no interest in. Cats are not a problem for Ike, even if the cat swats him in the face from time to time. Ike will however, playfully battle it out with the other animals for a spot on my lap and is quite the jealous guy when I’m giving the other pets attention. His tail is constantly wagging and his happiness is contagious. Ike has come across several kids and infants in his time in foster care and has never shown any type of aggression or fear towards them. He lets children pet him and will follow toddlers around especially if they have food. Our only concern regarding children in a home with Ike is that they need to be of an age where they are responsible for closing doors and gates behind them. Younger children are prone to forgetting and doors are often left ajar. Because he is a hound, Ike will run if allowed to be free. An open door or gate would be an invitation for him to go exploring the neighbourhood. A fenced in yard that is secure and has no gaps would be ideal for Ike, but he is currently living in an apartment and as he is a quiet and small dog he does well with this too. 　

Ike is a healthy dog and Beagles are typically a healthy and long lived breed. They are prone to obesity and because Ike is a particularly small dog it is especially important that he not be allowed to get overweight as his little legs will be overly stressed. Ike will need to be continued on his quality dog food diet and only fed his allotted amount. Treats will need to be monitored as well. He is not going to be a suitable dog for a person who just can’t stop themselves from giving treats or food to a dog who is looking at them with those pleading eyes. A Beagle will eat anything offered and it would be very easy to overfeed or over treat Ike and he would be vastly overweight in no time. For his health and longevity we require him to go to a home where control over food will be adhered to. Ike had a small cherry eye when he came to us. We have had this fixed. Our vet has stated that dogs with cherry eyes are prone to them and there is a slight chance of reoccurrence in his lifetime. This is not a serious condition but does require surgical repair. Anyone interested in Ike will need to be familiar with the cherry eye condition and be willing to repair it should be he ever get it again. He did very well with the repair our vet did and recovered nicely. 　

If you’re looking for a happy, moderate energy dog then Ike could be the dog for you. I really don’t have enough good things to say about this dog. Anyone interested in adopting him needs to be willing to take him on long walks and provide him with enough attention and love that he so deserves. Ike needs to be confident in the fact that he will never be abandoned again and deserves all the love in return that he so willingly gives out every day. Could Ike be the dog that you’ve been searching for?

All Pound Dog Rescue dogs are spayed/neutered, vaccinated, heartworm tested, de-wormed (if required), and micro-chipped prior to adoption. The adoption donation of $400 is applied to assist in the costs of veterinary care and the overall care of the dog.

We at PDR firmly believe in the importance of obedience training, regardless of breed or size of dog, and have a clause in our adoption contract requiring adopters to attend and complete a basic obedience course at a facility of their choosing. Only in certain circumstances will we waive this clause, so please be prepared to attend dog school should you wish to apply for a dog through our program.

For more information and adoption applications please consult our website at www.pounddog.ca.