Size
(when grown) Med. 26-60 lbs (12-27 kg)
Details
Good with kids,
Good with dogs,
House-trained,
Story
Adoption Day: September 19th at PetSmart Tysons Corner from 10:0010:30 AM, an approved adopter must be present to adopt.Some pups may stick around until 11:00 AM for the public event-check our Facebook page closer to the date to see if this pup will be attending the extra fun! MEET BETTER DAYSweet, affectionate, smart, and full of puppy energy - Better Day is ready for his best days yet.Better Day is a 4-month-old, gentle, friendly, people-loving Heeler mix who came from a difficult beginning. He and several other dogs were found abandoned and starving in a house in Mississippi. He spent several weeks at a doggy daycare in Mississippi, where he was cared for, well-fed, and socialized while waiting for his life-changing transport to Virginia with Wolf Trap Animal Rescue. Now that he's safe in foster care, we're getting to see his wonderful personality emerge. PERSONALITYBetter Day is sweet, affectionate, curious, playful, and incredibly people-oriented. He loves being near his humans and will happily lean against you, ask for belly rubs, put his head in your lap, or simply follow you around to see what you're doing. He's affectionate without being overly clingy and, once he's had enough activity, is perfectly happy settling down on his own. HIS LOOKBetter Day has a shiny, smooth, short black coat with adorable white markings on his chest, all four paws, and the tip of his tail. With his classic black-and-white markings, he looks like he's wearing a little tuxedo! His paws are on the smaller side, and we expect him to grow into a slim, medium-sized dog. PUPPY ENERGY + OFF-SWITCHAs he's become more comfortable, his foster family has discovered that this boy definitely has PUPPY ENERGY! He's playful, athletic, curious, smart, and loves being outside. He'll likely thrive with people who enjoy walks, hiking, exploring, active play, and training activities like agility. He makes an amazing adventure buddy! But he also has a wonderful off-switch. Once he's gotten his energy out, he'll happily curl up beside you or settle into his bed or pen while you work or relax. And when he's ready to cuddle, he'll flip right over and ask for belly rubs. He's happiest when some part of his body is touching his favorite human, and he'll often snuggle right up and fall asleep. Adventure buddy outside. Cuddle buddy inside. PEOPLEBetter Day loves people and warms up quickly. Men, women, kids, strangers - he wants to say hello and seems to have one main question: "Are you here to pet me?" Super friendly with people, but because he's an energetic puppy still working on jumping and impulse control, continued training and supervision around young children will be important. OTHER DOGSBetter Day is very interested in other dogs. When he sees one, he'll often stop, watch, and even whine/bark to get attention because he wants to go say hello and play. His behavior so far appears to be excitement and curiosity rather than aggression. He had experience being around other dogs at the Mississippi daycare before his transport to Virginia, although his foster family hasn't yet observed him in a full play session with another dog due to no resident dog and restriction set by the rescue for health reasons. SMART + EAGER TO LEARNBetter Day is proving to be a wonderful student. He's learning:SitDownComeWaitLeave itHe's food motivated, takes treats gently, and listens extremely well to his humans. Like many Heelers, he's observant and attentive, and he genuinely seems to want to understand what we're asking. With consistent positive reinforcement, we expect him to become a very well-trained, well-behaved dog. PUPPY MANNERSHe's still a young puppy and is working on jumping and impulse control when he's excited. He sometimes jumps up or tries to herd his human's legs. The good news? He responds very well to redirection. He's also doing remarkably well with potty and crate training. He's been an A+ Good Boy since the Day 1. He let us know when he wants to go outside by vocalizing or walking up to the door. He sleeps comfortably in his crate at night. Cats: Unknown - no cat exposure yet. HIS IDEAL HOMEBetter Day would thrive with someone who wants an active companion and a dog who is included in everyday life. His ideal family will enjoy: Long walks Play Outdoor adventures Training and enrichment (we can imagine him becoming an agility star) Plenty of companionshipA Heeler or herding-breed experience would be a bonus, but isn't required. An understanding of Heeler traits and instincts would be wonderful, as it can help his family better understand him and support his training as he grows.What's most important is a family who understands that he's smart, energetic, athletic, people-oriented, and still very much a puppy.A single person, couple, or family could all be a great match. WHY HIS FOSTER FAMILY LOVES HIMThe best thing about Better Day is how quickly he feels like part of the family. His easygoing, sweet nature made us feel like we'd known him for much longer after just a few days. One minute he's happily jogging around outside, enjoying the new world around him, and the next he's curled up beside you, completely content. He's affectionate, smart, eager to learn, and increasingly confident every day. You'll fall in love with this little guy! Better Day had a rough start. Now he's ready for the life he was always meant to have. His best days are just beginning.
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