My name is Couscous!

5 months and 40lbs (as of 3/1/24), PYR, Husky, Cattle Dog, Neutered 
Estimated full grown size: About 90lbs 

 Couscous is available for our foster-to-adopt program. Please email fostertoadopt@socialteesnyc.org with the animal’s name in the subject line if you are interested! Want to straight up adopt? Submit an adoption application at socialteesnyc.org.

Level of dog ownership experience needed:

EXPERT: As an adult, this dog will need loads of structure and daily exercise, training, and mental stimulation – 2+ consecutive hours of quick paced movement plus potty break walks and brain games throughout the day. The adopter must have relevant primary care experience with a similar breed, temperament, and/or energy level. (Primary care experience includes ownership, fostering, or dog sitting as an adult, not a dog you grew up with.) Relevant puppy care experience is a huge plus, but bare minimum the adopter must have TONS of time and patience. Raising a puppy can be a lot of fun, but it’s also tremendous work. Puppies’ personalities and exercise/stimulation requirements change dramatically between now and when they’re a year old as their bodies and brains develop, so an active lifestyle and the ability to adapt to a pup’s evolving needs are a must. We strongly urge professional dog training with a rewards based trainer from the get go. Adults only or kids ages 8 and up – all puppies go through a mouthy, rambunctious phase and often accidentally hurt children when playing. PLEASE DO YOUR OWN BREED RESEARCH to make sure you have a better understanding of the kind of temperament and exercise requirements this dog may have as an adult.

Energy level

EXPERT: Very young puppies sleep and nap a lot, but their energy level skyrockets when they become teens (4 months to around a year). As an adult, this dog will need loads of structure and daily exercise, training, and mental stimulation – 2+ consecutive hours of quick paced movement plus potty break walks and brain games throughout the day. (This is regardless of dog size – many small breeds were designed for lots of activity and will exhibit unwanted behavior when they’re understimulated.) 

Her Foster Mom Says: 

Couscous has been a total joy. Somebody did a lot of legwork with basic training too, which I'm grateful for! Couscous knows how to listen, is so intelligent (sometimes a little mischievous), and an excellent companion. His only major shortcoming so far is that he can be a little leash reactive and is learning how to play with dogs, he is so big for his size.. Otherwise, a perfect angel.

Comfy with strangers?
Is best when they are visitors coming to the house. He loves meeting my friends in the context of the home. Is generally happy to meet people outside on walks, but with certain folks (people pushing carts? certain men? small children?) his back hair stands up and he gets tense. Will need to continue to work on his confidence and leash skills. 

Cuddle Bug Level? 

Again somewhere between medium and high. He's a great cuddler at night, but also gives himself space. During the day he also likes to snuggle up/be touched, but usually calms down and accepts solo time pretty quickly. At minimum he will choose to be in the same room as me.

Potty trained?
Yes - Few or no accidents
99%! He seems to be able to hold it for 4-5 hours. He's made a few mistakes peeing in the house, but knows he isn't supposed to. Has never pooped inside which I appreciate greatly.


Crate trained?
I haven't been doing any crate training with him. I do shut off certain rooms sometimes (like my bedroom), but he pretty much has free range of the house.

Social with dogs?
Yes. This one is the trickiest so far! Couscous plays really hard and doesn't know his own strength. He has a habit of swinging his paws out and trying to get onto the backs of other dogs, regardless of their size. His back hair goes up often when meeting a new dog. I am looking for big, even keeled doggy playmates to help socialize him in this department. The most stressful thing about Couscous has definitely been interactions with other dogs. I think there is hope for sure though!

Okay in the city?
Yes —  Couscous is calm walking around the above ground train, when an ambulance goes by, etc. At most he gets a little scared by road work/rowdy NYC street life, and sticks closer to me. Overall I'm really impressed by how he keeps his cool though.


Social with children?  (ALWAYS requires adult supervision)
Yes… but most puppies are not a great match for a home with kids under age 8 because they go through intense mouthy play and rambunctious phases and often accidentally hurt young kids while playing. Children must always be monitored and taught to interact with dogs of any age respectfully.  

Social with cats?

Could possibly live with cats. Still is in the age range to learn how to respect them, etc. 

Mouthy play:  
Honestly very good for a puppy. He knows to use his toys/the bone. He did develop a particular predilection for my slippers, but so far that's been the only casualty. Am grateful that he leaves plants and furniture alone. 


Leash manners:
Getting the hang of it! Definitely tugs a bit, but usually towards the end of a walk when he's gotten energy out and we're in a rhythm, he starts walking in step with me and there's even a little slack on the leash. With more practice (and age) I think he'll be a fine walker,  


Separation anxiety:
All Good Here –  So far so good! I have left him alone for a couple hours and he neither trashed the house nor made a bathroom mistake. I think he probably just sleeps. He's sad to be left and happy when I return, but seems to deal with alone time just fine.


Medical status:
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)

How 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

PLEASE NOTE: This animal is not at the Social Tees office — all of our dogs and cats are in foster homes while they wait to find their forever families. :) If you’d like to apply to adopt this pet, please complete an adoption application at socialteesnyc.org. Because we are a small team and receive hundreds of applications each week, we are unable to respond to every application and every inquiry email, but we do our best. Please have patience! If your application is approved, you will for sure hear from us. If you have questions, please take a look at the Adoption and Fostering FAQs etc. on our website as all common questions are answered there. Thank you for your understanding and flexibility as we work to save these innocent lives!! 

LEARN MORE ABOUT US: socialteesnyc.org; Instagram via @socialteesnyc; Facebook.com/socialteesanimalrescue