Size
(when grown) Small 25 lbs (11 kg) or less
Details
Not good with kids,
Not good with dogs,
Not good with cats,
House-trained,
Spayed or Neutered,
Shots are up-to-date,
Story
Meet Wizard!
*Medium sized -- Experienced adopter -- Prefers Men*
Wizard is a 4–5-year-old, 25-pound Lab/Terrier mix who is looking for a very special person to call his own. He is a small dog with a big personality, and while he needs an experienced adopter and a very specific home, we believe there is a wonderful dog underneath all the stress he has experienced.
Wizard originally came to us from Hoffman Animal Control in June, and unfortunately, kennel life has been extremely difficult for him. The constant presence of other dogs and the stress of the shelter environment caused his behavior to deteriorate significantly. When he is overwhelmed, Wizard can become defensive about his kennel and high-value food items.
We want to be completely transparent: Wizard has a bite on his record. During a period of significant kennel stress, he bit a person providing veterinary care. Wizard was being handled by someone he did not know or trust, and he was not properly muzzled or restrained at the time. We do not excuse the incident, and we take it seriously. His behavior and triggers will need to be carefully managed by an experienced adopter.
At the same time, we have seen a very different side of Wizard outside of the kennel environment. Once he is away from the other dogs and given the opportunity to decompress, he becomes calmer, affectionate, playful, and eager for human companionship. He loves attention and would happily spend hours playing fetch with squeaky toys. He is also a very loyal little shadow who would be more than happy to keep an eye on his person and make sure they know whenever something suspicious is happening.
One unique thing about Wizard is that he seems to have a particular preference for men. He is quicker to trust men and often feels most comfortable with them. He can bond with women as well, but he may need more time and patience to build that relationship.
Wizard is currently being boarded in a quieter environment where he is kept separate from other dogs. This has allowed him some much-needed relief from the shelter environment, but boarding is not a permanent solution. He needs a home where he can continue to decompress and learn that he is safe.
Wizard is looking for:
• An experienced dog owner who understands canine behavior and management
• Ideally, a male adopter or someone willing to allow him time to build trust
• A quiet, low-stress home
• A home without other dogs or cats
• A home without children
• Someone willing to work with a behaviorist and continue learning about his triggers
• Someone comfortable managing him around high-value food items
• Someone who enjoys playtime, especially fetch and squeaky toys
Wizard will come with continued support from our shelter, including in-home training sessions. We will work with his adopter throughout the transition and do not expect them to navigate his needs alone.
Most importantly, we want Wizard's adopter to know that they are not trapped if things do not work out. If the adoption is unsuccessful, we will take Wizard back and work with the adopter to safely arrange his return. Our goal is to find Wizard the right home, not simply any home.
Wizard does not need everyone to believe in him. He just needs one experienced person who is willing to see the dog he can be outside of the stress of a kennel and give him the structure, patience, and support he needs to succeed.
If you think you may be that person, please contact us to learn more about Wizard and discuss whether he could be a good fit for your home.
Phone: 412-672-8901
Email: adopt@whiteoakanimalsafehaven.com](mailto:adopt@whiteoakanimalsafehaven.com
