Size
(when grown) Med. 26-60 lbs (12-27 kg)
Details
Not good with kids,
Good with dogs,
Not good with cats,
Spayed or Neutered,
Shots are up-to-date,
Story
Lexi is a 5y.o., 36-pound Mini Goldendoodle who spent the first five years of her life as a puppy-mill mama. She came into rescue on August 21st and is slowly discovering what life as a cherished pet is all about.
When Lexi first arrived, she was very shut down and unsure of her new surroundings. Now, a week and a half into her rescue journey, we are seeing more and more of the sweet, affectionate girl underneath that uncertainty. Lexi craves closeness. She may not be ready to crawl into your lap just yet, but once she decides you are someone she can trust, she wants to be in the same room with you, often settling on the floor nearby.
She is also becoming increasingly affectionate with her people. Lexi adores whichever human gives her the most time and attention, and right now that happens to be foster mom due to the foster parents' schedules. She is not afraid of foster dad, however, which is especially wonderful given that fear of men can be common in retired puppy-mill dogs. One of her biggest breakthroughs came on day 8, when Lexi came over to greet her foster mom. When foster mom got down low to pet her, Lexi leaned in and gave her a kiss. These may seem like small things, but for Lexi, they are enormous steps.
Lexi has made tremendous progress in her confidence. She is drinking from the community water bowl, exploring the house, learning that tv images aren't real, and doing very well on short neighborhood walks during quieter times of day. Her leash confidence has come a long way, although sudden noises and movements still startle her. She will need plenty of patience and encouragement before she is comfortable walking alongside moving cars or through busy areas where people are gathered for parties, playing, or other activities.
One of the things we've learned about Lexi's past helps explain some of her nighttime behavior. We had the opportunity to speak with the mill manager she came from and learned that Lexi was considered their "critter dog" and was kept in the yard at night to keep unwanted animals away. Knowing this history has helped us understand why nighttime can be difficult for her. Lexi is very alert at night and often paces before settling. She does not like being confined in an enclosed crate, but she will eventually settle if she is allowed to sleep on a rug next to her foster parent's bed. She frequently wakes between 3:00 and 5:00 a.m. to go outside. However, during the day the crate is one of her preffered "safe spaces" and she does very well being secured there when noone is home.
Potty training has been going remarkably well. Lexi came to her foster home seeming to already understand what a doggy door was and how to use it. Once she became comfortable in her new home, she began letting herself outside to potty, and she has had very few accidents in the house since arriving.
There are the little glimpses of playfulness that tell us Lexi is beginning to discover what it means to be a dog. She has started collecting toys and carrying them outside to create what we affectionately call her "nest" in a circular space she's made in the middle of the daylily leaves. She seems to be figuring out how to play, too. She'll take her toys outside, come back in, and whine for foster mom to go retrieve them. Once her toys are brought back inside, she'll eventually take them outside again and repeat the whole process. It's an adorable little ritual — and a good reminder that if you have a garden that is precious to you, you'll want to add some small fencing to keep Lexi out of it!
Loud noises, sudden movements, and changes to her environment can be unsettling for Lexi. Even something as simple as rearranging furniture, indoors or outdoors, can make her nervous. But she is learning that her world is safe, and the encouraging news is that she is recovering and resettling more quickly from these "worrisome moments" as she learns to trust her surroundings and the people in them. As her confidence grows, she is seeking out her people, exploring her surroundings, and showing us more of her personality every day. She is very sweet and has been easy for her foster family, groomer, and veterinarians to handle.
Lexi is spayed, microchipped, and up to date on vaccines. She has mild tartar that should be monitored by her primary veterinarian, along with routine tooth brushing. She also needs to lose approximately 7 pounds to reach a healthy weight.
There is no doubt that Lexi still has a lot to learn. She needs a family who will celebrate the small victories, give her time to process new experiences, and never expect her to become confident overnight. In return, she is already showing us just how deeply she wants to connect with her people.
Lexi's ideal home will have a fully fenced yard, at least one calm, confident dog to help her continue learning, and a patient, active family who is committed to her fitness journey and understands that she will need time to fully come out of her shell. Her family should also be prepared to give her a safe, predictable environment and continued patience as she learns that changes, noises, and the busy world around her don't have to be scary.
Could your home be the right fit for this good girl? Apply today!
NY State Rescue Registry: RR363
