Size
(when grown) Small 25 lbs (11 kg) or less
Details
Not good with kids,
Good with dogs,
Needs experienced adopter,
Spayed or Neutered,
Shots are up-to-date,
Story
Libby is a sweet Shih Tzu who came to us from a breeder in a southern state who was downsizing his operation and surrendered several dogs to Second Chance. She is 9 years old and weighs 18 pounds. Libby is shy with people although has never growled or snapped in her foster home, or at the Minnesota vet where she was examined. In her first month in her foster home, she did not want much to do with people, but in the last few months she has become much more affectionate with her foster mom and follows her around the house. She loves having her ears rubbed. Her foster dad and Libby just ignore each other and all is fine. Libby has made good progress and has the potential to continue learning to trust and interact with people, but it will take time and patience in a new home. When Libby is afraid of someone, she dashes away from the person or runs into her crate (her “safe place”).
Libby is as cute as can be with her cream-colored fur with tan patches, and golden-brown eyes. For a successful adoption, she needs someone with previous experience with shy/fearful dogs who has at least one other social small dog in the home, and will not have to leave her for long hours. Her placement should be in an adult-only home with a female as the primary caregiver. If guests come over, she should be confined to her crate where she feels safe.
Libby’s current foster home includes three other small-medium dogs. Libby gets along fine with them. She will follow the resident dogs around but doesn’t try to initiate play. No cat experience to our knowledge but she is so gentle that she would probably get along fine with a dog-savvy cat. No interest in toys but loves to chew on dog bones or Kongs, especially if they have a smear of peanut butter in them.
When Libby’s fosters are gone (usually for a max of four hours) she has a large wire crate that she stays in. She initially slept in her crate at night but now has graduated to sleeping by her foster mom’s feet on the bed. Her crate, dog bed and blankets will come with her to her new home. Libby needs a single-family home with a very secure fenced yard. Until she learns the new routine and yard, she should be taken out with a leash attached to her so she can run off and potty and then be caught to come back in the house.
Libby goes on daily leash walks with one of the resident dogs and does great. She absolutely loves going on walks! She passes other people and dogs just fine and then turns around to watch them.
Libby had some pee accidents when she first came into her foster home. She was taken to the vet to see if there was a medical problem, such as bladder stones. An x-ray indicated there were no bladder stones. The vet recommended a change to her diet (adding canned pumpkin) which solved the problem! Nervousness in moving to a new home may cause some temporary regression in housebreaking but her foster mom will provide tips on how to resolve any issues.
Libby is extremely food motivated – the only time she barks is when she sees her full food bowl or treats coming her way and she jumps and barks in excitement. The food motivation will be helpful in getting her acclimated to her new home and bonded to her new owner.
Shih Tzus don't shed much because they have hair instead of fur. She has been to the groomer to have her nails trimmed and a quick trim around her face and did fine. Be sure you can afford the cost of a professional grooming 2-3 times per year. She cooperates well for a bath. She has been spayed and had a dental cleaning in December of 2023 (no teeth were extracted). She is current on distemper, rabies, and Bordetella vaccinations. Libby’s heartworm & tick panel were negative and she is on heartworm preventives as well as Frontline for fleas/ticks. Her microchip is registered to Second Chance.
Transitioning into a new home will possibly be just like starting over again for Libby. She needs a person that is familiar with dogs that want to trust people, but are not quite ready to do that yet, and a person that can keep her safe. Again, Libby’s adoption requirements include a secure fenced yard, an adult female as primary caregiver, no young children and at least one other small-medium social dog in the home to be her friend and mentor. Adopters must be willing and able to care for Libby for another 7-8 years as these little dogs can live a long life! A vet reference and home visit will be required so adopters must live within 40 miles of the Twin Cities metro area. For the right home, Libby is truly a little treasure. Her adoption fee is $300. If you have any questions, or if you want to meet Libby, please call 651-771-5662.
