This gentle, shy boy has the softest nature. He's a lover and loves him some snuggles, he loves to play, and he's also able to just quietly kick back and mind his bone. He's looking for a place in a family of calm, kind people who will enjoy introducing him to all the good things the world has to offer a sweet pup.
HISTORY
Heath is part of the Cocoapup litter - five very young babies who were dumped on a country road near Prosser, in Eastern Washington, in early September 2023. A rescuer took them in and called on HART for help. We were able to place them in a foster home, and they have been in foster care ever since.
The breed mix of dumped puppies is always a "best guess" situation. However, based on their appearance and temperament and supported by a DNA test an adopter did on the Cocoapup they took home, we're confident that mama is a Doberman. The DNA test indicated a Husky/Malamute mix; we also think some of the pups may have been fathered by a German Shepherd.
SOCIALIZATION
Socializing these dogs since their rescue has been a long, slow process, because they were in very poor physical health when we took them in, and that slowed their social development. Heath has made huge strides in building confidence and learning to accept new people and situations, but he needs an adoptive family that will continue patiently working with him.
With people he knows, Heath is affectionate, confident and trusting. With visitors he may initially be cautious, but once he's had a chance to check them out he warms up quickly - especially if treats are on offer! However, introductions must go slowly; Heath doesn't cope well with people who push too hard into his space or try to force him, and he may nip if you don't give him time and space to decide you're okay.
Heath shares his foster home with several dogs and gets on well with all of them. He loves to play, but respects their boundaries and happily lets them boss him around. He would enjoy playdates with other dogs that are polite and friendly.
There are four cats in Heath's foster home, and he would very much like to be friends with them. He will do well in a home with a confident, dog-savvy cat. He has also shared a foster home with free-range ducks and chickens, and showed very little prey drive.
TEMPERAMENT & BEHAVIOR
As Heath matures he's developing into a moderate energy dog. He needs daily exercise, enjoys walks around his neighborhood, and has the potential to be a great hiking companion for hikes and other outings, but he's also able to join you for couch time and quietly keep you company while you're at your computer.
He is very playful! With the other dogs in his foster home he likes to roughhouse. His favorite outdoor game is keep-away, he enjoys tug-of-war with the Chihuahua, and he loves to run zoomies. He enjoys toys, and especially likes to eviscerate squeaky stuffies. He's also an enthusiastic chewer of pretty much anything he can wrap his mouth around - he LOVES a big meaty bone.
With his own people this boy is a lover. He'll line up for his share of any pets on offer, and he loves to lie at his special human's feet and just keep you company.
When strangers come into his space he barks - he's an excellent watchdog - and he's developing an instinct to protect his people. Although generally quiet, he barks at people passing by his foster home, and alerts when he hears an unfamiliar noise.
He enjoys car rides and is calm and interested while traveling.
TRAINING
Heath is reliably potty trained, and crate trained. He is not yet ready to have unsupervised free run of the house.
This boy is very smart and highly trainable. He responds well to correction, is treat-motivated, and loves to learn. We believe he'll be increasingly rewarding to train as his confidence grows.
He's already making progress on some basic obedience training. His recall is iffy - sometimes he comes, sometimes he's busy. He walks very well on a leash, and is learning "sit", "no" and "leave it".
However, in many ways Heath is still a puppy. He still hasn't quite figured out the difference between human stuff (don't chew) and his stuff (chew at will). He can be bouncy and clumsy, and is still learning not to jump up on people. He likes to dig in the yard. In other words, like most adolescents he still has lessons to learn about being a civilized family member.
PHYSICAL & HEALTH STATUS
Based on their teeth and the fact that they could barely lap water, we estimate that the Cocoapups were maybe six weeks old when we took them. We have assigned them July 23, 2023 as their birthday.
Heath appears to be in good overall health, and has been vaccinated, treated for intestinal parasites, neutered and microchipped. We expect him to weigh 75-80 lbs when full-grown.
ADOPTION INFORMATION
Heath is living in a private home, and will be available to meet you after your adoption application has been approved. Please email HearthfireART@gmail.com to request an adoption application form. Heath's adoption fee is $385.
For more pictures of Heath, please see his Facebook album at https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.633912432223183&type=3
