Size
(when grown) Med. 26-60 lbs (12-27 kg)
Details
Good with kids,
House-trained,
Spayed or Neutered,
Story
Meet Gerby !
Background
Gerby’s story with us started when we found him as a little puppy eating out of a trash can. He was so severely underweight that his ribs were protruding from his tiny body, and we were genuinely surprised he was even alive. We don’t know everything that happened to Gerby before he found us, but he had already been through more than any puppy should have to endure.
Because Gerby experienced starvation as a puppy, he understandably gets VERY excited about food. But what is remarkable to me is that despite what he went through, he has never, not even once, shown food aggression or possessiveness with food.
Personality
Somehow, despite everything he has experienced, Gerby is one of the goofiest, most loving, affectionate, and eager-to-please pups.
Gerby is about 7 months old and has that classic puppy combination of playful chaos, curiosity, affection, and an enormous desire to be involved in whatever his people are doing. He loves attention, walks, playing, chewing on his toys, and being close to the people he trusts. He LOVES riding in the car, especially when he gets to sit up front in the passenger seat. He loves playing tug-of-war, and he is always ready for an adventure. Gerby is a remarkably resilient young dog who survived a terrible beginning without losing his ability to trust people, love people, play, learn, or be excited about life.
Training
Gerby is incredibly smart and has already learned “sit,” “lay down,” and one of my favorites, “show me patience,” which we use when he needs to calmly wait for his food, a treat, or a toy. We’ve also been working on “drop it” when it’s time for him to release his toy. Like many young dogs, Gerby is still learning what is considered good human manners. When he gets especially excited or overstimulated, he can get nippy. We’ve been consistently reinforcing that nipping isn’t an acceptable way to communicate with humans, and he has already started learning.
That willingness to learn is one of my favorite things about him. He GENUINELY wants to get it right and be considered a “good boy.”
Ideal Home
Gerby needs an adopter who understands that behavior is communication and is willing to continue working with him through structure, training, patience, and consistency. I genuinely think Gerby would thrive with someone who understands what it means to have a nervous system that sometimes goes into overdrive. Humans and dogs obviously experience the world differently, but fear, safety, trust, connection, and learning are things we both understand. Gerby isn’t a “bad dog.” Quite the opposite. He needs someone who sees the remarkably sweet, funny, affectionate little guy underneath the anxiety and occasional puppy chaos. When he trusts you, you can see how badly he wants to get it right.
I get teary eyed when writing this, because it is true. He genuinely wants to do well. I’m looking for someone who will laugh when he proudly hops into the car ready for an adventure, play tug-of-war with him, keep practicing “drop it,” remind him to “show me patience” when his entire puppy brain is screaming I WANT THE TREAT RIGHT NOW, and continue giving him the consistency and guidance he needs as he grows up. Gerby doesn’t need someone looking for a perfect dog. He needs someone willing to become his person. If that sounds like you, please reach out and tell me a little about yourself, your home, other animals in the household, and your experience with dogs.
Gerby is participating in the iRehome program. All iRehome dogs are being rehomed by their current owner. All iRehome behavioral and medical information is provided by the dog's current owner. TLP encourages all adopters to verify the information with the current owner prior to completing the adoption process.
