My name is PANDORA*!

Pandora (“Pepper”) – A Spicy Little Cuddle Bug Looking for Her Person
Age: Puppy/young
Size: SmallBreed: Mixed breed
Personality: Loving, people-selective, fearful, spicy, playful, cuddle bug, people pleaser

About Pandora—affectionately called Pepper because she’s “a little bit spicy”—is a sweet, sensitive young dog who has already been through more than any puppy should. Brought to the shelter with two other dogs, she arrived malnourished, with bite marks on her ears and legs, and showing signs of littermate syndrome. Despite everything, she is blossoming into the most devoted little companion.Pepper bonds deeply with her person and has formed a strong connection to her foster mom. She’s extremely affectionate, cuddly, and happiest curled up on your lap while you watch the news or a movie. She truly is a Velcro dog—she will follow her person everywhere and take comfort in being close.

House Training-Pepper is doing excellent with house training as long as her routine is followed. Her foster takes her out:Immediately after waking
After playtime30–60 minutes after mealEvery hour during the dayShe is also learning to ring a bell to indicate she needs to go outside. She does not yet naturally signal, so her owner must stay on top of her schedule. When supervised and kept on routine, she has very few accidents.When left in the laundry room (with her crate, toys, water, and a peanut-butter Kong), she has held it for up to 5 hours without peeing or pooping.

Crate TrainingPepper is doing wonderfully with crate training and sleeps in her crate at night next to her foster mom’s bed—though she would always prefer to sleep with you! She will rest quietly in her crate with a Kong and settles well when alone, usually crying for just a few minutes before going to sleep. She is learning the cue to go into her crate and is reinforced with peanut butter or small bits of her Orijen Small Breed kibble (the only food she will eat right now)

Behavior & Training ProgressPepper is a fearful, noise-sensitive dog who takes time to warm up to new people, environments, and experiences. With patience, she is making huge strides:

Leash ReactivityShe can bark or lunge at people and dogs on leash.She is responding very well to deconditioning and desensitization.Her foster uses distance, calm repetition, and high-value food (peanut butter or kibble).If she goes over threshold, treats won’t help—she simply needs space.

With Other DogsS