Buddy was adopted on April 1, 2021
UPDATE: December 2020
Oh, Buddy! Such a cute boy – such a complicated behavioural puzzle.
Yes, it’s true, Buddy is back. When collecting our fosters’ letters to Santa-Paws, we realized that we had missed posting about Buddy’s return to Rescue’s care.
Although Buddy was doing well in his foster home, he proved too much for his adopter. Rescue understood, and will always accept a dog back. At times, Buddy can test even the most dog-savvy person.
For this reason, and in his best interests, Buddy was placed in a “board and train” program with a respected certified dog trainer who keeps up-to-date with and incorporates current scientific research in animal behaviour, psychology, health and wellness into all her techniques and methods of training.
Given a clean bill of health before adoption, it was now time to dig deeper to investigate and eliminate any and all possible medical reasons for Buddy’s reactivity.
Buddy was given a comprehensive medical workup, with full panel thyroid testing to rule out canine hypothyroid (which can be directly related to behaviour issues). That was ruled out. He was x-rayed to see if there was any skeletal cause for pain. A pelvic misalignment is now being treated by a chiropractor.
His foster has noted that Buddy can get visually startled, and as a problem with his eyesight could be an important clue in understanding his reactivity, an ophthalmologist’s appointment is on the list. (Interestingly, when a caring individual donated a reading with an animal communicator, Buddy himself shared that his eyes were bothering him).
Buddy deserves an opportunity at a happy future. So Rescue is using all possible resources (and as many tools as in a DeLorean’s toolbox) to help him find just that.
Buddy is being fostered near Barrie, Ontario. He is on a behavioural hold and is not considered ready for adoption.
UPDATE: June 2020
- Buddy is an adorably cute, neutered male single-breed Boston Terrier, just shy of one year of age (born July, 2020)
- Buddy is active! He loves to play ball with his person. He also happily entertains himself, tossing and catching his toy, running Boston “zoomies” around the house with his toy in his mouth! He’s also very agile, and would likely excel at a dog sport such as flyball or agility.
- Buddy is great with other dogs his own size, and respects the signals he gets from them. A puppy – it’s okay to play! A senior, ummm… better ask first!
- Buddy is motivated to learn. In foster care, he has mastered his housetraining. Crate training has also been going well – with his go-go personality, he needs to be reminded to rest throughout the day, and is okay with a “nap” in his crate, and with being crated when his foster mom leaves the house. He sleeps in his crate overnight and wakes up ready to start the next day’s adventures.
- Buddy loves to please. He has learned to sit on the mat when coming in from outside, lay down, and to “give a paw”. He’d be a willing student for more tricks!
- It’s important to note, Buddy has bitten in the past. From his behaviourist report: “The primary biting trigger for Buddy is that he is very sensitive to social pressure, new situations in his environment, and does not have strong impulse control or coping skills. This combination of factors means that when confronted, even mildly, he will snap or bite. He has shown good bite inhibition overall during these incidents, and with patience and training, they should be able to be improved upon to lessen the frequency or likelihood of aggression.
- Buddy isn’t for a first-time dog owner, or one who is not experienced with positive reinforcement training techniques. Buddy “will always be a management dog to some degree. When he gets overstimulated or feels trapped, he may always lash out, however, if the owners do not overreact to these episodes, they should lessen in frequency and severity.”
- Buddy would not be a good match for a home with young children.
- Buddy, like many Bostons, has a shorter than normal stubby tail that causes him grief with an itch he can’t get to resulting in what we call the “carpet butt dance”.
Buddy has so many good qualities! Aside from his good looks, he is smart, fun and motivated to learn. It is imperative that Buddy’s new home understands the work involved to set him up for a happy, successful future as the best boy he can be. To that end, Rescue will be carefully screening all applicants to make the best match possible for this special boy.
Hold onto your hats people, another cutie has come into our care, a 7 month old, 11lb little dude named Buddy!
Being a feisty little pupster he was a bit much for his elderly owner and although he did complete a 6 week obedience class, he does need ongoing proper training to become the best dog he can be! He knows some basics and is crate trained but is working on his house training and could use some tips on loose leash walking.
A typical puppy, Buddy loves to run around and play and when it’s time to relax he loves to cuddle up and catch some ZzZs with his favourite, hedgie the hedgehog.
Buddy is settling into his foster home in Bowmanville, Ontario. Stay tuned for updates!
Buddy is the fifth dog to come into our care recently and a great way you can help us help them and get them ready for their furever homes is by making a donation or becoming a monthly donor. We appreciate your support!
BUDDY IS IN FOSTER CARE AND IS NOT UP FOR ADOPTION YET. Check our facebook page for updates on this cutie.