Wizard

Description

* This dog will be at the Palo Alto Pet Food Express on Saturday, August 29th from 12–3 PM (unless adopted prior to the event). All DPS Rescue dogs are spayed/neutered, vaccinated, dewormed, flea/tick treated, and microchipped prior to adoption.   Adoption fee: $650   Meet Wizard: The Snuggle Spell Is Strong With This One   Wizard is a 10–12 month old, 22-pound Jack Russell Terrier mix who was rescued from the shelter and is ready to work a little magic on his forever family. With wonderfully expressive ears, soulful eyes, and a knack for making himself comfortable in hilariously strange sleeping positions, this affectionate little guy is nearly impossible to resist.   A First-Class Familiar   Wizard has been comfortable in his foster home from day one. He quickly decided that personal space was entirely unnecessary and began following everyone from room to room, leaning against his people for pets, and curling up as close as possible whenever the opportunity arose. He is an outstanding snuggler and a devoted little shadow who likes knowing what every member of the household is doing.   He is currently living with an 8-year-old child and gets along well with them. Wizard is a young dude and can play enthusiastically and sometimes uses his mouth when he becomes excited, so his family should continue teaching him how to keep play gentle and appropriate.   Although Wizard enjoys his playful moments, he is currently much more couch potato than nonstop terrier. During the day, he is happy to nap on the couch, relax wherever his people are, or watch the outside world through the window. His goofy side emerges when the toys come out, and he has a favorite toy that he proudly carries around the house.   Wizard’s Daily Rituals   Wizard begins his day around 7 AM with a stretch and a potty break in the backyard. Breakfast is served afterward, although he prefers to graze rather than finish his meal immediately. He usually heads out for his walk between 9 and 10 AM. He uses the backyard for pee breaks but prefers to save his other business for his walks.   He may pull at the beginning of a walk when everything feels especially exciting, but he settles into a much nicer rhythm once he has gotten some of that initial enthusiasm out of his system. Squirrels and cats can activate his inner hunter, so his future family should be prepared to keep a secure hold on his leash and continue working on his walking skills.   Wizard is reliably housetrained. He does not chew things out of boredom, dig in the yard, or cause trouble when left alone. He has successfully spent up to six hours loose in the house, where he simply relaxes and sleeps until his family returns. Since he has proven trustworthy when given freedom in the home, he would love a family comfortable continuing that arrangement while helping him gradually build positive associations with confinement if needed.  At night, Wizard now sleeps in his own bed beside his foster family’s bed. It gives him the comfort of being close to his people while still having a cozy space of his own.   A Sensitive Little Soul   Wizard can be startled by loud or sudden noises, including vacuums, trucks, and unexpected household sounds. He will benefit from a patient family that allows him to investigate the world at his own pace and helps him build confidence through calm, positive experiences.   He occasionally alerts to movement outside the house, although his bark has an unusual sound—as if he is trying very hard to deliver an official announcement but cannot quite find his full voice. Overall, he is an easy companion who settles beautifully at home and mainly wants walks, affection, and a comfortable place near his people.   The Fine Print in the Spell Book   Wizard has done well socializing with other dogs, and he can absolutely enjoy canine friends on walks, outings, or in other neutral environments. Inside the home, however, he has shown a tendency to guard valuable resources such as food and toys from other dogs. For that reason, Wizard is looking for a home where he can be the only resident dog while still having appropriate opportunities to socialize elsewhere.   He has also reacted defensively when a person has tried to take a valued toy directly from him. His future family must respect his signals and use reward-based techniques such as trading for treats rather than grabbing items from his mouth. A home willing to continue working patiently and consistently on resource guarding will help him feel safer and make good choices. Because of this behavior, any children in his adoptive home should be old enough to understand that they must never take food or toys away from him.   Ready for His Next Adventure   Wizard loves car rides and would be delighted to become his person’s travel companion. Wherever he goes, he brings his expressive face, affectionate personality, and unmistakable talent for turning ordinary moments into a game.   During one family badminton match, Wizard realized that everyone had neglected to assign him a position. Naturally, he fixed the problem by snatching the shuttlecock and racing around the yard while the entire family chased him. In Wizard’s version of the game, he was clearly the winner.   Wizard is looking for a home that will give him regular walks, plenty of companionship, gentle guidance, and all the snuggling he can handle. Give him a little time, consistency, and love, and this charming young dog is sure to cast a lifelong spell on you.