My name is Amp!

Update on Amp 08/08/13

We have had a chance to really get to know Amp now and has he ever turned out to be a great little dog! He would be a perfect dog for someone who enjoys walking and outings but at day’s end is happy with a snuggle on the couch. Amp loves his walks and can go at whatever pace you find comfortable and for whatever length you like. He does not demand extensive exercise and also can burn off energy playing in the yard on those days where long walks aren’t possible. Amp is a total love with plenty of kisses to give. We had him at a fundraiser BBQ we were holding and he was so well behaved and greeted everyone warmly. He offered kisses to those people who got down to snuggle with him and was a big hit with the people who attended. Amp will want a family that will allow him up on the couch and/or bed to snuggle with him. Amp is being fostered with cats and dogs. He doesn’t mind the cats at all and would be fine in a home with cats. He is picky about which dogs he likes and takes some time to be comfortable with strange dogs. He does quite well with his foster brother dog and picks and chooses which of the dogs at his foster moms boarding kennel he wants to play with. We feel Amp would still do best as the only dog in his forever home, getting all of the doggie attention. Amp also is great with older kids (over 12) and adults but we don’t feel he would do well in a home with young children as he does best in a calm environment. Amp is past his rambunctious puppy stage and likes a more settled and peaceful home. Amp has also gotten to be quite good in the car and he loves car rides and travels well. Because he is small and good in the car he would be a great travel companion. Amp has been taught to “sit” when being given his food and he also knows “spin” and “sit pretty” and “roll over”. He can also catch treats tossed in his direction. He is very food motivated so training with reward treats is very successful. He is very smart and picks up on things quickly. Amp is a dog that you will quickly grow to love. He is a sensible dog who needs a loving forever home where he can have a family or person of his very own. If you are looking for an active but not hyper, affectionate and comical little dog that is sturdy and fun then Amp may just be the dog for you. He really needs someone to love forever.



I would like to introduce you to Amp. He is a 5-6 year old Boston Terrier mix. I am guessing the cross is with a Jack Russell just from the time spent with him. He is about 20 lbs, but don’t tell him that, he thinks he’s a lot bigger!! lol. Amp shows the beautiful brindle colouring of his Boston background with very short hair. He does have a little grey around the muzzle but his attitude shows no signs of him getting old. When he looks at you he literally has those puppy dog eyes. Amp is all terrier and has the energy and enthusiasm fitting his breed. He came about the name Amp because of my niece. The meaning of Amp is to excite or energize. She chose it because he can get very amped up and can get very crazy when he wants, which makes him very entertaining. He does settle quickly however and is eager to please.

Amp came to us from a rural pound where he was turned in by his previous owner who stated they did not have time for him or their other dog. We took both dogs in as we just couldn’t stand to see two little cuties scared and abandoned. The other dog is Hemi, a Min Pin who is also for adoption. We are posting them separately for adoption though as they are not a bonded pair and we feel they would both flourish getting individual attention, love and training. It doesn’t appear that the dogs were well cared for in their previous home. Both were underweight and show signs of having untreated skin issues. Both lacked manners, and although happy and playful dogs, they lacked obedience training and structure. We have been working on this and Amp is coming along very well. He needs a new owner who will work with him, taking him to obedience classes and for long walks, and will love him and give him the structure and security he so very much wants and needs.

Amp would do best with a family that has experience with terriers. I would recommend a home with no children under the age of 12. He would be great in all sizes of home, but ideally would like a fenced yard to burn off some of that energy he has. Amp will walk on a leash but prefers to just be able to run free in the yard (fenced). He does get a little vocal at some times, but does settle down once the thing he is barking at leaves. He would be happy being the only dog in the house, but does live with another dog (Hemi) at the moment. Amp feels he needs to be the leader of the pack though and constantly having to keep his brother in line is stressful for him. Being an only dog he could give this up and just relax and enjoy all the attention and love for himself. He would love that!

I have grown to like Amp a lot because of his different expressions. He will always let you know how he is feeling with his body language. He is a big attention getter and loves to have his chin rubbed. Amp does settle quickly when asked, which is great for a dog with as much energy as him. He is great inside the house and I have had no issues with housetraining. He likes to ride in the cars, but will try to catch the wipers if it’s raining. Small crates are not that much fun for him but I really haven’t seen a need to keep him in one for long here. Amp is the kind of dog that would not take long for him to creep into your heart and stay there forever.

Amp can interact with other dogs. First meetings tend to be a little exciting, but after that he tends to be fine with them. Food and toy guarding is another reason we are recommending he be an only dog. He came to our rescue underweight and I feel that contributes to his wanting all the food all the time. Amp was not well cared for in his previous home and we believe food was limited. Amp also has scarring on the tips of his ears which are vet feels is old frostbite damage. He is gaining wait in our care and got a clean bill of health from the vet so he is on his way to being in prime shape. He has been around my cats and really could care less they are there. Amp has been around my nieces, but I don’t think I would have him around kids that do not know how to be around excitable dogs. He would for sure do best in a child free home or with older children that know how to be around this breed of dog. He can get pretty wound up in play, like all terriers.

Amp is actually quite well mannered. He is the kind of dog that you have to stay on top of behaviour wise as, like Bostons do, he will push the rules if allowed, but does listen. He already knew how to sit, shake a paw and does wait when asked. He comes when called in a controlled environment or in a fenced yard. He does need work with walking on a leash as he gets very excited but this is being worked on. Enrollment into a good obedience school will be necessary with Amp to freshen up his skills and teach him who the boss of his home is. Amp is very gentle with treats, but does need to be reminded once in a while. He will need continued training in obedience to help him be the best dog this smart dog can be.
Amp has been to the vet recently and was shown to be a healthy and happy dog. I am working on getting him to his suitable weight but he should stay there easily once there. He is ready to go to a great forever home and family that he can share his love and affection with. Is that you? Anyone interested in Amp should research the Boston Terrier breed and be familiar with terriers in general. Although he is a mixed breed, Amp is mostly Boston and very much has the attributes of that breed.

An adoption donation of $400 is required. This helps cover our costs for veterinary care including spay/neuter, vaccines, microchip, heartworm test, deworming and whatever else the dog may require.

For information on our adoption procedures and for an adoption application please refer to the Pound Dog Rescue website at www.pounddog.ca.