Say hello to Russell, our pet of the week! Russell is a 2.5-year-old male Yorkie-Poodle mix who weighs 13 pounds. Our friends at Yorkies, Inc. tell us Russel is in need of a new home due to his current owner working long hours. Russell would love a home where his owner is home more than not — someone retired or someone who works from home would be perfect. Russell has a slight case of separation anxiety. He is not destructive when you leave the house, but he will bark and howl until he is able to settle down. Once he knows the routine he will settle and is not as anxious.

Russell would be fine as the only dog but with the right match he would love another dog or two to follow their lead. The best match would be a confident dog slightly smaller than Russell who can show Russell the ropes. Russell does very well with the other dogs in his foster home, all are smaller than Russell and are used to having other dogs around.  

Russell is a Velcro dog and loves attention and affection, especially snuggling! He enjoys going for walks and running around in a fenced-in yard. Being active, taking long walks and having time to run in the yard are a must for Russell! He is learning basic commands and is a quick learner. More training will help with his confidence. He does get nervous/fearful when exposed to items he is not familiar with, such as a dog toothbrush or nail clippers, and he may let out a low growl and try to run away. Gentle exposure and positive reinforcement with treats will go a long way in helping Russell get acclimated to new items or changes in his environment. He is house-trained and the team at Yorkies Inc. feel confident this will continue as long as he is taken out on a regular basis. He is not able to go a full work day (over 8 hours) without going outside. Russell is up to date on his vetting and neutered. If you are interested in learning more about Russell, or would like to apply to adopt Russell, please click here!