Shih Tzu puppies and dogs in Exeter, Ontario

**IF THIS LISTING IS STILL POSTED THIS DOG IS STILL AVAILABLE FOR ADOPTION. NO NEED TO EMAIL ASKING IF THE DOG IS AVAILABLE. PLEASE READ THROUGH THIS BIO THOROUGHLY AS INFORMATION ON HOW TO APPLY IS CONTAINED IN THIS LISTING** For Adoption: Lian! Please read our dog bios carefully to be sure that the dog you are applying for suits your family and lifestyle. We at PDR believe in the benefits of post-adoption training for our dogs and their families. This allows for continued socialization, learning and helps to create a well-mannered and balanced dog. Post-adoption training is a requirement in our adoption process. To apply for adoption and for more information on our process and requirements, visit our website at https://pounddog.ca/adoption-info/. Hello world, this is Lian! (pronounced Lee-Ann) Lian is a lovely dark grey and white, 13½ pound shih tzu. I chose her name since shih tzus originally came from China and Tibet, and Lian means lotus flower in Chinese. Lian is an endearing mix of independence and dependence, sometimes cuddly, sometimes aloof but she is always curious, happy, intelligent, and spunky! She is also occasionally a little stubborn and loves to tease her foster mom. She came into our care from a mill where she spent her first 6 years breeding for profit. Lian has made amazing strides since coming into foster care and she is looking for a home that will allow her to go forward at her own pace. Please read her bio carefully to understand just how far she has come and what she will need in her new home and family to continue her positive journey. Lian was shut down when I brought her home, completely overwhelmed. When I carried her into the house, she didn’t move for quite some time. She eventually walked around a bit, and her tail started to wag at me from a distance. When I picked her up, she was wooden. I kept Lian on a leash for several days indoors as she skittered away when approached and still tends to do so. She ate a bit of wet food the first night before being put to bed in her crate. Lian slept quietly through the night for 8 hours. Day 2 was the start of positive progress and the beginning of a more normal dog life. Lian baulked at going through the front door and sat without moving on the lawn for a full 3 minutes before she started to explore the yard and even did a few short sprints for the next 15 minutes. Her tail was wagging. Back indoors Lian ate her first full meal in the afternoon. She spent much of her time exploring but followed me and kept me in sight at all times, prepared to skitter away if I approached. Lian was curious but cautious. We took a walk off property a few houses away and she was beginning to accept the leash. Day 3 Lian made great strides. On our early morning walk she ventured several blocks from home and sniffed and explored for 40 minutes before heading for home and breakfast. She began to show some interest in people and dogs but kept her distance, cautious and wary. She had no reaction to cars passing by but became skittish when a large noisy truck passed us. Lian is being fostered in a quiet rural community with very little traffic. Lian did not like being crated for the first week or so, but this is normal for a dog who had never seen a crate before. She would skitter away and I had to carry her to put her in. She still scoots away when she senses crate time during the day and goes to the sunroom, sits with tail wagging, teasing me until I escort her to her crate. Lately at night after our special bedtime routine Lian heads straight to her crate, puts herself in and waits for me to bring her a treat and close the door. What amazing progress! In the morning Lian comes out of her crate, stretches and starts with her tail wagging, happy for her day to begin. She behaves like a silly puppy who wiggles and bounces her way to the front door where she sits patiently for me to get my shoes on, and our first walk of the day begins. Lian loves being outdoors and is eager to go for her walks or wander on a long line in the garden. Lian has recently discovered the joy of rolling herself silly on the grass. She is a delight to walk. I take Lian for 5 walks a day. Her first walk of the day is in the cool morning and usually lasts 30-40 minutes where we cover 2 km. She currently needs this long in order to do a her complete bathroom duties. Lian always pees every time she goes outside. Later walks can be anywhere from 5-20 minutes depending on the temperature and how far she wants to go. With the cooler temperatures lately, she’s enjoying longer walks. She now makes a beeline to a person we meet and likes to quickly sniff their outstretched hand and sometimes give it a quick lick before backing away, no longer avoiding people. Lian is always aware of her surroundings and will pause to figure out an unfamiliar sound or movement. Recently we went to a local conservation area and Lian managed a full 3 km walk, came home, took a nap and a few hours later was eager to go out for another walk! Children on bikes, skateboards and scooters can whiz by us now and Lian simply moves out of their way and shows no fear or concern - I am so proud of her. As with most mill dogs, Lian reacts to loud noises and sudden movements. She is getting better when trucks and motorcycles go by and will continue to improve with time and encouragement. When Lian went to the vet for her spay surgery they remarked that she was very sweet and a perfect patient. At her vet visit it was determined that Lian required a dental which has been done. They also discovered and removed some mammary masses which were sent away for examination and came back benign. She received all necessary vaccinations and was also microchipped. Recently I have introduced a smaller quiet dog to Lian in our home who she met appropriately. She showed no aggression or jealousy when I paid him attention, and she quickly lost interest in him and walked away. Continued introductions to small gentle dogs may eventually help Lian interact with dogs or she may choose to remain indifferent to them. Lian would like to be the only dog in the home as she really isn’t in need of canine companionship. I have taken Lian on several pack walks with 2-4 other dogs where she tends to stay apart from them but shows no fear. On a recent visit to my friend who has 2 cats, Lian demonstrated her disinterest and preferred to explore my friend’s home and passed by her cats without incident. Lian travels quietly in her crate in my vehicle. She now accepts the crate and waits patiently for me to take her out. Once out she’s curious and eager to start a new adventure. It took Lian several weeks to show an interest in toys and now they are an important part of her day, she only likes soft squeaky toys right now. Although she has only managed to squeak one on her own a few times, she delights in me squeaking them for her. She then takes it from me and rehomes it in another room. She will continue this activity over and over. If I’m not available Lian will go to the toybox and take one toy at a time to her favourite sunroom. One day I counted 27 toys all over the house. She is very gentle with them and may chew a bit but not often or hard enough to do damage to the toy. Her interaction with her toys always makes me laugh and I love that Lian has found a way to amuse herself when I’m not there to help. Lian will partially shred a toilet paper roll, but when I dropped a piece of notepaper on the floor, she had that shredded in a minute and then looked up at me with what was I’m sure a look of mischief and satisfaction. She has never chewed on anything she was not given except that piece of paper. I have left her on her own in the house for short periods without being crated and she usually just curls up until I return and then expects to go for yet another walk. Lian enjoys a game of chase around the house. This activity helps her with exercise on inclement weather days when long walks are not convenient. She has gone out in the rain but shook off her raincoat in less than 2 minutes. Lian usually fully eats her 2 meals a day but occasionally skips one or only partly eats it. Occasionally she will spill some of her kibble on the floor but usually comes back to lick it up. It took a lot of trial and error to finally find 3 treats Lian likes and I have also found a chew stick she enjoys. Lian will accept a treat but prefers I place it on the floor in front of her and then she trots off to the sunroom to eat it in private. I introduced a treat puzzle to her, and she had one treat and then abandoned it. I left the room and when I returned, she had figured the puzzle out and eaten them all! She has such quirky little habits that suit her independent personality and are so uniquely hers. Lian is not food motivated and her training is being done with verbal praise. Lian will benefit greatly from obedience class training. I had not heard her bark until a few days ago, when she barked and whined after I crated her and before I left the house. Overall, she is a very quiet dog. I request that my neighbours let me know if my foster barks when I leave the house and they report that she has started to bark in the past few weeks. For that reason, Lian would not be a candidate for an apartment or condo as she could disturb the neighbours. A home where she has easy access to the outdoors would be the best choice for Lian. A busy city environment with noisy traffic would also not suit her as she loves her peaceful outdoor walks. A quiet suburb or country home would be ideal and a fenced in backyard would be a bonus but not necessary as long as she has lots of outdoor time. She would be fine in a home with a dog savvy cat but at present needs to be the only dog in the home. Older children , over 10years of age, who would be calm would also be okay. Lian needs a family who will not be away for long periods of time and enjoy outdoor walks. Now to explain her cuddliness. During the day I put Lian on my lap for a cuddle at least once in the morning and once in the afternoon. She’s okay with 5 or 10 minutes but after that time she wants down to go about her own business. When company comes, I usually place Lian on their lap and again she’s fine for 10 minutes. Before bed cuddle is a totally different story. After our last walk of the day, I put on a 30-minute book on tape and Lian happily curls up on my chest, beside me or between my legs as I lay on the couch. Some evenings we’ve fallen asleep on the couch for an hour or so and she hasn’t moved. She seems to sense this is our wind down time together. Once I get up Lian now uses the dog stairs to get to the floor and she trots to her crate and waits for me to give her a treat and close the crate door. As I mentioned at the beginning of this bio, Lian is a mixed bag of behaviours but oh so sweet. If you’re looking for a lap dog Lian isn’t the dog for you. Lian is looking for a family who will appreciate her many contrasts and will give her the time and patience she needs and not be upset if she doesn’t always accept cuddling. Lian thrives on routine and being able to anticipate her day. She senses when it’s time for walks and food and will come to me to give me a gentle reminder with a sweet look if she feels I’m late. Each day I try to introduce a change to her routine—the time of day I go out, a visit from a friend, different training time, a different direction for a walk, going away from home to visit or walk in a new place. She adapts to these changes well. Lian has been a delight to foster. I have enjoyed the many sides of her personality. She is such a happy dog with a nonstop wagging tail. The neighbours are amazed at how well she does on her walks and the progress they see in her when meeting people and dogs. Her independence, spirit and ability to amuse herself make her a very easy dog to have in the house. If you love outdoor walks, are home much of the time, and enjoy being at the mercy of a teasing, toy loving dog - please give Lian your consideration. Name: Lian ID # PDR1560 Age: 6yrs Gender: female Spayed: yes UTD vaccines: yes Breed: ShihTzu Colours: grey and white Coat length: med House trained: yes Special needs: no OK with kids: older OK with cats: yes Ok with dogs: yes, but looking to be the only dog Status: adoptable Microchip: yes Size: small Location: Freelton, Ont Adoption fee: $700

**IF THIS LISTING IS STILL POSTED THIS DOG IS STILL AVAILABLE FOR ADOPTION. NO NEED TO EMAIL ASKING IF THE DOG IS AVAILABLE. PLEASE READ THROUGH THIS BIO THOROUGHLY AS INFORMATION ON HOW TO APPLY IS CONTAINED IN THIS LISTING**M For Adoption: Pidge! Please read our dog bios carefully to be sure that the dog you are applying for suits your family and lifestyle. We at PDR believe in the benefits of post-adoption training for our dogs and their families. This allows for continued socialization, learning and helps to create a well-mannered and balanced dog. Post-adoption training is a requirement in our adoption process. To apply for adoption and for more information on our process and requirements, visit our website at https://pounddog.ca/adoption-info/. Meet Pidge — a 3-year-old Shih Tzu weighing a dainty 13 pounds. She is a striking salt and pepper girl, mostly black with a soft white muzzle and a charming white-tipped tail that she is just beginning to learn to wag. With her tiny stature and quiet dignity, Pidge is the kind of dog who draws people in without even trying — and everyone who has met her has fallen completely in love. She is gentle, she is careful, and she is slowly, surely, becoming herself. Pidge came to us from a puppy mill, where she spent her first three years as a breeding mama. She arrived completely closed off and cautious, needing more than a week before she began to unlock and show us who she really is. That kind of shutdown is a normal response from a dog who has known nothing but the mill, and it is not a reflection of who Pidge is — it is simply where she started. What has emerged as she has begun to trust is a dog with a playful, flirty spirit just waiting to shine. She is slow to trust, and her new family will need to be patient and gentle as she continues to find her footing — but the rewards of earning Pidge's trust are already proving to be very much worth it. Pidge would thrive in a calm, quiet home — ideally with an older couple, a single adult, or a family with teen children who understand the importance of giving a sensitive dog the space and time she needs. She does not do well with chaos or unpredictability, and a peaceful environment will be essential for her continued growth. She has shown no aggression whatsoever. She is fine with touch but does not yet crave it — though she is showing us more and more glimpses of the dog she is becoming, offering play bows, tail wags, and little yips that tell us she is warming up beautifully. She lights up when she sees her person, greeting them with unmistakable joy — and then, just as quickly, retreats back into her quiet, reserved self. She is shy and timid with strangers and does not initiate contact with new people, but we are confident that the right home and the right person will continue to bring her out. She wants to play with the other dogs in our home and has begun to engage them — and on a very good day, they even play back. She has not yet been tested with cats, so those introductions should be handled with care and patience but we expect she will be just fine with a dog savvy cat. Pidge will not enjoy a home where children visit often. She is timid and the noise and energy of children will be too much for her. Pidge follows me outside when I grab her leash. It took ages for her to figure out thresholds are safe. She gives a very exaggerated hop over them to ensure she will clear it. Absolutely ridiculous but endearing. She has not yet developed a signal to let us know she needs to go out, so her new family will want to maintain a consistent schedule — she goes reliably every three to four hours and has had no accidents in the house. She is not confident on leash, and building that skill gently will be an important part of her transition into her forever home. She is walking short distances on leash but will panic if there is noise or movement near her. This works for her right now though as she is a low energy dog. Some short walks and some yard time suit her energy requirements well. Pidge is a quiet dog by nature — her voice is still very much her own, and she is only just beginning to find it. She does love to announce the arrival of guests but quiets down quickly. Pidge needs a very quiet home environment, inside and out. She will not be a dog that will do well in a busy city environment or on a main road or anywhere with a lot of traffic or outside noises. A rural home, small town, or very quiet subdivision will suit her best. She would be not be suited for a high rise apartment building or anywhere where she would have to go in an elevator or through a busy lobby to get outside. Pidge can also be vocal in her crate for a bit when she is left alone. She settles eventually but she is best for a detached home at this time, or a townhouse with good sound barrier. She will do her bathroom duties on leash but is more comfortable with access to a yard where she can roam around and get her jobs done. One of the loveliest things about living with Pidge is watching her come alive. She arrived shut down and still, and now she play bows. She arrived unwilling to take a treat from your hand, and now she does. She has a playful spirit inside her — she just doesn't let it out very often yet. Every small step forward is a victory worth celebrating, and her new family will have the privilege of watching this little girl continue to bloom. She is comfortable and settled in her crate at night, sleeping without fuss. Her house training is going very well — she knows what to do when she gets outside and has been clean in the house throughout her time in foster care. Car rides are completely fine — she travels calmly and without stress. She does drool a fair bit in the car. Pidge has shown a gentle curiosity toward the other dogs in our home and actively tries to engage them in play — and they are slowly coming around. She is relaxed in their company and shares space peacefully. As with any dog still discovering the world, calm and unhurried introductions to new dogs will always be the right approach. She would do best in a home with another small dog to be her role model , she will continue to come along faster with another dog to pattern off of. And if that dog would like to play a little bit, even better! Preference will be given to a home with another dog, but its not a must have...she can do well being the only dog in the home, it will just take her longer to build confidence, but with a patient person experienced with timid dogs, this would be just fine. Please do tell us about your experience with timid dogs in the application if this is the case. Pidge has no formal obedience training yet, which is completely understandable given where she came from. As with all Pound Dog Rescue adoptions, her new family will be required to follow up with structured obedience training — and for Pidge, this will be a cornerstone of her success. Gentle, positive reinforcement training will help her build confidence, learn to communicate her needs, and deepen her bond with her new family. She is intelligent and observant, and with the right guidance she will flourish. Pidge has been spayed and came through her surgery beautifully — calm, easy, and completely unfussy. She is up to date on all her vaccinations. Shih Tzus do not shed significantly, but their coats require consistent care — regular brushing at home and professional grooming every six to eight weeks will keep her looking and feeling her best. Her new family should establish a relationship with a calm, patient groomer who will take the time to make the experience comfortable for her. Dental care will also be an important part of her routine, as Shih Tzus are prone to dental disease. Pidge needs a quiet, loving home where someone has the time and patience to let her continue to unfold at her own pace. She needs gentle hands, a consistent routine, and an adopter who finds joy in the small victories — the first time she wags her tail at you, the first treat she takes from your hand, the first time she play bows just for you. She is not a dog who will give her heart away quickly — but when she does, it will mean everything. She has already shown us that her heart is there, waiting, just beginning to open. Will you be the one to unlock it? #rescuedismyfavoritebreed #rescuedog #adoptdontshop #pounddogs #pdr14years #pounddogrescue14yearsstrong Name: Pidge ID # PDR1567 Age: 3yrs Gender: female Spayed: yes UTD vaccines: yes Breed: ShihTzu Colours: white and grey Coat length: med House trained: yes Special needs: no OK with kids: teens OK with cats: yes Ok with dogs: yes Status: adoptable Microchip: yes Size: small Location: Ayr, Ont

Poppet-Maltese Terrier/Shih Tzu Mix puppy's Story Meet Poppet! This sweet, high-energy pup has been showing off her incredible personality, and she is ready to find a forever home to share all her love, energy, and face kisses with! Quick Facts DOB April 12, 2026 -Poppet is a Maltese/Shih Tzu mix female puppy who was surrendered when her family was not able to provide her with the time and care she deserves. Energy Level: Medium–High (loves zoomies and backyard playtime!).Sweet, loving, playful, and affectionate! Loves cuddling on the bed, army crawling for kisses, and staying close to her humans. House Training: Work in progress-Mostly house trained (learning quickly, with minimal accidents). Crate Training: Crate trained! Sleeps quietly through the night next to her humans. Leash & Travel: Great in her car carrier/crate! Working on leash pulling and outdoor excitement. Poppet did not benefit from training in her original home and is still learning many new things. Food Motivation: High! Quickly learned to sit nicely before mealtime. Handling: Unbothered by touch anywhere—happy to have her paws, ears, and tail handled. Loves all dogs and people that she has met. If you have another dog in your home, be mindful that puppies do not respect boundaries, and your own dog's comfort and acceptance of a high energy puppy is a priority. CATS-unknown. Poppet would very likely chase and try to engage with any cat in the home. Highlights & Strengths Mastered the Stairs: Important to note that due to her young age/small breed size, preventing her from jumping off furniture or going down stairs is very hard on her immature joints and should be avoided until her growth plates have fully developed. Affectionate Cuddler: Loves to be touching you while napping. She can get too mouthy during play as with any puppy learning, but redirects well to acceptable alternatives to hands. Loves to snuggle for naps after playing or running zoomies. Noise Tolerance: Adapted very quickly to household noises. Working On (Typical Puppy Stuff!) Leash Skills & Barking: Working on walking without pulling and reducing alert barking at night or when guests arrive. Poppet is a terrier breed and has discovered her voice. While training is crucial, adoptive families should research terrier breeds to understand natural breed tendencies. Alone Time: Learning that her humans always return when left alone in her crate. Basic Commands: Responding well to action-based cues like "touch", come and sitting for food; continuing consistent training will help her thrive! Ideal Home Poppet requires a home with a family who has someone home often, and who is prepared for committing to her training needs, mental stimulation and appropriate exercise for her age/size. Children must be over 8yrs of age and have previous experience/understanding of appropriate handling of dogs, especially tiny puppies who are very fragile and fast. Interested in welcoming this sweet, zoomie-loving girl into your family? Please read below for more information. At Hobo Haven Rescue, we are committed to finding the ideal fit for our dogs and families. That means loving, prepared, and dedicated adopters who truly understand the time, care, and commitment it takes to raise a young puppy into a happy, well-adjusted adult dog. Daytime Availability is Essential Puppies need regular bathroom breaks, supervision, and social interaction throughout the day. We will only consider homes where: An adult is home during the day or only works outside of the home for 3-4 hours per day max. Even if you work from home, pups need 100% of your attention when out of the crate. A plan for supervision and crate use is absolutely required NOTES: Inground pools MUST be fully/securely fenced Older dog savvy children due to his size and energy Doggy doors are not acceptable Mandatory training registration with an approved positive method training school will be required to set everyone up for success. Crate training is a must. It offers a safe and comforting space for your puppy and helps build a healthy routine. Exercise pens are also great tools to support success! Lifelong Commitment These pups have been lovingly raised in foster care. We're looking for homes that are ready not just for the puppy stage, but for the lifelong journey ahead. NOTE: *Based on their life expectancy of 15-20 yrs, puppies are not a suitable match for older seniors (60+). Our goal for every dog is to be able to live a full active life in their forever home without ever having to be rehomed or having their needs neglected. Our priority is long-term stability and well-being for each dog in one forever home. Interested in applying? Poppet is adorable — but it takes much more than just love to raise a puppy right. Every puppy is unique — we ask that families read their profile thoroughly to ensure a great match, both for the dog and for your family. An adoption application must be completed and approved, followed by quality of care screening through your vet clinic, & home inspection, prior to meeting available dogs. All dogs are placed in loving foster homes during their time with us, we do not have a shelter to visit. We do not allow applicants to visit until pre-approved for adoptions. Our dogs are in private foster family homes, not in a shelter. Hobo Haven is located in St Jacobs Ontario. For approved families, we require in person meetings in St Jacobs ON If you are not willing to drive to this location to meet our dogs after you are approved, please do not apply. We do not meet elsewhere nor deliver dogs. Adoptions within Ontario only We require all serious applicants to watched "Petfooled" which is a free documentary at this link https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5XC1rUWWnxI , or on Amazon prime Our motto is "know better/do better" and we ask all adoptive families to be as committed to providing our dogs with quality nutrition as they are to providing love. Adoption fee: $850 includes: Spay, microchip, vaccinations, deworming, flea/tick/heartworm prevention, and all vet care, high quality food and supplies during their time with us to set our dogs up for a healthy future. Apply to adopt Poppet https://hobohavenrescue.ca/dog-adoption-application