June 24, 2022. That’s the day that Tyson, a young male Boston/chihuahua mix, arrived in his BTRC foster home from a shelter in Quebec. It’s been a long journey, with its share of ups and downs, but we are beyond excited to announce that TYSON HAS BEEN ADOPTED!

Three months ago, Tyson moved into a “foster-to-adopt” home, to give Tyson time to settle in, and everyone a chance to get to know each other. In the best news ever, the family fell in love with Tyson’s quirky character. Tyson, of course, is overjoyed that he is now officially – and forever – home!

“Thank you everyone at BTRC. This is the first time I’ve rescued a dog and it has been an amazing experience, and Tyson is an amazing dog.”

To Tyson’s new family, thank you from all of us at BTRC for seeing what a good and deserving boy Tyson is, and for giving him his happily-ever-after. ❤️

Hello, it’s me again, Tyson.

I’m still here, and still waiting for my person to find me.

I’ve been at my foster home since June. Don’t get me wrong, my foster mom loves me, how could she not? But there have been a lot of changes happening around here and that means I do have to find a new address – sooner than later.

I’ve moved around a bit in my young life, so what I really, really want, and hope for every day, is that my next home is my forever one.

Can you help me find my way home?

Please read about Tyson’s rescue journey, below, and if you can offer him the home he is so patiently waiting for, here is the link to his     APPLICATION FORM.   

Handsome Tyson is getting worried. He’s being a very good boy, working hard on his training, and yet he is still waiting for a loving forever home under BTRC’s Foster-to-Adopt program.

Foster-to-Adopt means that BTRC will continue to offer support as well as cover training and other approved expenses including veterinary care as Tyson remains a BTRC foster until he is considered ready for formal adoption. Tyson’s trainer has also graciously offered to continue to work with Tyson and his adopter as he transitions to his new home.

Please read about Tyson’s rescue journey, below, and if you can offer him the home he is so patiently waiting for, here is the link to his     APPLICATION FORM.   

Will you be my Forever Valentine?

Still on the lookout for a loving home under BTRC’s Foster-to-Adopt program*, Tyson has made huge progress since his last update.

This 3-year-old Boston Terrier/Chihuahua mix has worked hard with his foster mom on his house training. In fact, we are pleased to announce that he is considered fully house-trained. Now, like many boys, he may still be tempted to make a mark or two if given access to a new location, but the use of a belly band will prevent him from making a mess. We’re confident that once he gets used to his new space, you won’t have to deal with cleaning up after him. (Bellybands are included ).

Like most Bostons, Tyson loves to play and chew on stuffed toys. In fact, he’s passionate about keeping toys the way he argues they were intended to be – squeak free – and enjoys playing tug with the shell that remains. He then carries the appropriately quiet toy around like his baby. When Tyson goes outside, his foster mom gently reminds him that he can do his business without his buddy, so he lays his toy on the floor before heading out. On the way back in, he’s always so excited to reunite with it. He works hard on these toys to make them the way he wants them, so he requires an adult human that can respect that. Kids may admire his creations too much, which he would not be fond of, so a child-free home for Tyson is best all around.

Tyson is a young man you can trust wholeheartedly in the house without any supervision. He’s crate trained and sleeps in his crate through the night. In the morning he goes outdoors to pee and once back heads for his daily cuddle session with his foster mom. Snuggles in her bed are the best, though a cuddle on the couch under the blanket comes in a close second. He loves leaning into his person as he’s deeply comforted by their presence – and knows he’s comforting to his person as well.

Tyson is such a homebody. He loves his home, his yard, and his people. As we continue working on his reactivity outside of the home, we are still on the lookout for a safe, loving foster-to-adopt home. He needs a human that can learn his triggers and give him a calm and animal-free space to improve on his terms. Thankfully, his foster mom has put in many hours, so we can share Tyson’s personality quirks in detail.

One of Tyson’s hard no’s was having his nails trimmed. His foster mom found a great nail tech in the Ottawa area who can comfortably cut his nails while he’s muzzled. We are proud of his progress!

We’re also happy to share that since the last update, Tyson hasn’t had any seizure activity (no medication required).

If you have the space in your home (and in your heart) for this beautiful, loving, and hardworking gentleman, please fill out an   APPLICATION FORM.   

With the right home, we know that Tyson will be able to be the best version of himself and will continue to make great progress. And you’ll have a new BFF!

*Currently, we are looking to place Tyson in a foster-to-adopt home. This means BTRC will cover training and other approved expenses including veterinary care while Tyson remains as a BTRC foster until it is mutually agreed that he is considered ready for formal adoption.

TYSON • NEUTERED MALE • 3 YEARS • 18 LBS • NO-PET/CHILD-FREE HOME • FOSTERED IN THE OTTAWA VALLEY REGION, ONTARIO

Please Note: We do allow out-of-province adoptions. Transportation help may be available for the right applicant, depending on location.

Tyson is looking for his special someone!

BTRC is seeking a foster-to-adopt placement for this handsome fellow, which means he will initially join your family as a foster dog, and then will be formally adopted in the not-too-distant future.

Tyson is a 3-year-old, 18-pound Boston Terrier/Chihuahua mix. He resembles a little fox, with his beautiful face and long hair which is very soft to the touch.

Tyson loves to play and cuddle. He enjoys playing fetch in the backyard or a rousing game of tug-o-war. Tyson is a bit of a wrestler, though, and this play can escalate quickly – which may be fun for an adult as you can identify the limit. Not an ideal play style for children, so Tyson’s ideal home will be an adult-only one.

Not one to lie alone for long, Tyson is entertained by his puzzle with treats hidden inside for reward or his licky mat with some peanut butter or pumpkin puree smeared in. He enjoys his first meal served in his snuffle mat, a mix of kibble and dried liver treats. For dinner he eats kibble with some wet dog food mixed in.

Tyson enjoys the full run of a large fenced-in backyard. Though he likes his on-leash walks, he is reactive to other dogs. Sometimes he’ll howl, yelp, and pull toward another dog – other times he’ll simply bark until he loses sight of them. The way he carries on can be intimidating to some as it seems aggressive. His foster mom feels it is his way of begging for an introduction. Under careful supervision, introductions have been made with a few neighbourhood dogs while on walks. The success rate was in favour of meeting females which suggests that Tyson likes the ladies more than other lads! So while his behaviour on walks is improving, Tyson will need to be the only pet in the home.

Before his intake with BTRC Tyson had never seen a vet. He has since been neutered, microchipped, and vaccinated. He has beautiful, white teeth, with a bit of an underbite. Drawing blood was a traumatizing experience for Tyson. He took a mild sedative for his follow-up vet visit for a booster, which reduced his anxiety and allowed for a much better experience.

Tyson has had some seizures while in care. These are infrequent, and at this point, do not require any medication.

Tyson is fearful/reactive in some situations. If your hand moves quickly in his direction, he will either cower or go on the defensive, growling and showing teeth. Sweeping, mopping or passing a vacuum are best done when he is in his crate, so he doesn’t feel threatened and try to attack these perceived dangers to his safety.

Though potty training is still a work in progress, and Tyson has been more challenging to train, he has consecutive days of having no accidents. A belly band will be a good tool to help while he continues to learn. A smart dog, Tyson has his own doorbell which he will ring to call your attention to his need to go outdoors.

Tyson has been working with a positive-reinforcement trainer during his time in foster care. As she tells us, “Tyson is a super fast learner!” BTRC will continue to provide training for Tyson as well as a supportive volunteer environment to help with questions and concerns.

Words like reactive, aggressive, and fearful are intimidating when describing a dog. If you have the time to give him you will see that cuddly, loving, goofy and silly are also words to describe Tyson. His triggers can be avoided once you know them. Don’t swing your hands toward him in a way that he may see as a slap coming at him. Don’t pull out the broom and move toward him as he will attack it. If he hides under the sofa to tear apart a paper he’s found, let him have it.

Tyson needs someone who will cuddle him and play with him. It’s when Tyson is left idle that he looks for stimulation and will chew paper or cardboard boxes. Mental stimulation, exercise and continued training will allow Tyson to blossom and shine!

Tyson’s foster caregiver wants to be clear that he is not looking for a new place to call home because of the labels he’s been given. He needs a best friend. Someone who has the time to support his efforts to be consistent with potty training. Someone with a routine that has room in it for a mate. He is crate trained, though he can be trusted for short periods (2-3 hours) without fear of destruction. He loves the car though he will sing (read howl his head off) when the car comes to a stop, and he sees people with dogs out for a walk.

Currently, we are looking to place Tyson in a foster-to-adopt home. This means BTRC will cover training and other approved expenses including veterinary care while Tyson remains as a BTRC foster until it is mutually agreed that he is considered ready for formal adoption.

This rescue boy is so much more than just a good-looking guy with great fur! Although he’s a little rough around the edges, at heart he’s a romantic who’s not afraid to put himself out there for love.

Tyson is presently studying with a private ‘tutor’ to become the bestest boi. Although unemployed, this smart bachelor likes to “work”. A firm believer in continuing education, training with his new forever person is a must. His lack of a job doesn’t mean he’s lazy, though, far from it! At his foster home, you’ll often find Tyson enjoying a game of fetch or tug or keeping in shape by running in his backyard.

Tyson is desperately looking for his soulmate and best friend. Ideally your one and only, Tyson wants what we all want in a relationship – love, affection, trust, and someone to provide us with really good treats!

Talking ’bout Tyson!

Tyson came to BTRC from a shelter. He was surrendered because his owner was moving. Sadly, not a unique reason, and sometimes not the only reason a decision like this is made.

Tyson, on one paw, has resource guarding issues which can cause him to be reactive, but on the other, is a people lover and affection junkie who really wants to please!

With the guidance of his foster mom, Tyson has already made positive strides in the short time he’s been in foster care. At first, he was not tolerant of the other canine resident, but with slow and proper introductions, they are living together much more comfortably, even playing together in the yard.

Speaking of other dogs, Tyson is an excellent walker on leash until he sees another pooch. Then he’s all ears back, barking and lunging. But again, some positive controlled interactions with dogs he’s met on walks have already seen Tyson more relaxed and behaving much more appropriately when meeting four-legged friends.

Tyson is still working on housetraining but has already learned to go to the door. Since he doesn’t bark or scratch, his foster hopes to teach him to ring a bell to alert when he needs to go out.

With no fear of heights, you will often find him walking along the back of the sofa to find just the right napping perch. (He’s also been discovered on top of the dining room table and looked at his foster mom like she was totally overreacting when she demanded he get down!)

So, aside from learning some good, everyday basic doggy manners, Tyson’s resource guarding still needs to be addressed. Now, Tyson LOVES toys, and will often bring you a toy and invite you to a game of tug or fetch, returning the toy willingly. But he’s also a scavenger and his ‘treasures’, like pencils, pieces of paper and cardboard, are meant to be hidden and NOT to be shared. A particular favourite spot is under the couch, and Tyson will guard this like Aladdin’s cave, snarling, snapping, and threatening to bite if you attempt to get him out or take what he is hoarding.

So, still a work in progress. But with the patience and support of his foster mom, we are optimistic that this undeniably cute and bright boy will continue to make excellent progress!

Welcome Tyson!

Tyson is an almost 3-year-old intact Boston Terrier and Chihuahua mix. The reason given for Tyson’s surrender to the shelter was that the owner was moving and Tyson’s fear and reactivity to strangers made it impossible to bring him along. Tyson has never been to a vet.

As Tyson came to BTRC  from a shelter, he will need some time to decompress, and his foster home will need time to assess his behaviours and of course, get him off to the vet for a much-needed exam and care.