Georgie (WA)

Description

Georgie is a 7.5 lb., 1-year-old rat terrier mix. He has a quirky, spunky, and sweet personality that has utterly charmed his foster mom. When he arrived at his foster home, he was terrified. He was scared of being handled by humans, and hid for quite a while. He's made great progress since then, coming out of his shell to show his silly, confident, affectionate, and stubborn sides. Now, he stomps up on new dogs, leans toward new people on walks, follows his foster mom from room to room, and explores everything. He's curious about new sights, smells, and sounds. He loves toys, walks, his foster sibling, and snuggling with foster mom at night. He is very high energy and still puppy-like in his play and his love for chewing new things. See more photos his journey here:   https://imageevent.com/newrattitude/georgie  Socially with humans, Georgie is currently a lot like some cats. He is independent and would like handling to be at his request. His request comes generally only when the human is lying down. You can't just lean down and pet him. Though when it is his choice, he can be quite snuggly. He gives the sweetest, gentlest little kisses that can ramp up into wild puppy-shark play bites. He sleeps snuggled tightly against his foster mom every night and wakes her up with cuddles and kisses. When human hands come at him not at his request, he merrily dodges them and scampers away.  He's not scared now so much as too busy for your nonsense, like a toddler who doesn't want mom's hugs until bedtime. Georgie adores his foster sister, follows her everywhere, and does whatever she does. They enjoy a vigorous wrestling match each morning, which Georgie would repeat hourly if she let him. He will do best with another dog in his new home to help him learn the ways of living with humans, and to keep him entertained. Georgie is friendly with other small dogs. Some larger dogs coming into his home have been scary to him. He will hide and shake and possibly even growl from a safe spot when confronted by a big dog. He's comfortable with the cats in his foster home, and can be respectful if they demand it. He will chase if they don't shut him down so he's not every cat's cup of tea. Georgie is working on house-training. He is potty pad trained, but his aim is poor, and his definition of potty pad may include various other soft objects on the floor. He's been known to mark table legs and objects that he perceives as high value. That is improving some now that he's been neutered. He will happily go pee and poop outside almost immediately if taken out every few hours, but does not ask to be taken out for that specifically. His new family will need to work on this with him and understand the challenges in making progress. Georgie does not yet fully understand leashes. Once captured and harnessed against his will, he does eagerly walk on one with his foster sibling, but he pulls a good deal. He's shown some signs of leash reactivity toward strange dogs. Young Georgie will do best in a home with a patient family who can give him the time and space he needs to grow into himself, another small dog, no small children, and a fenced yard.