• Address: Tacoma, WA 98401 (map)
• Date Posted: 11/06/09

This is Russell. (see more detailed bio below)

Pros:
Commands: come, sit, lie down, stay, kennel, and basic manners
Potty trained
Leash trained, doesn't pull with aid of training collar
Medium energy
Submissive
No aggressive tendencies whatsoever
Does well with other dogs large and small
Unsure how he does with cats, but has been around them (see bio below)
Loves people of all ages even strangers
Lap dog and cuddle bug
Chews on chew toys not furniture
Doesn't dig
Food motivated

Cons:
Tends to be shy / fearful at first but warms up quickly (see bio below)
Large crowds of people he doesn't know scare him and has been known to growl when stressed under these conditions.
Things that squirt, boom or make loud beeping sounds scare him.
Due to size, children must be six years or older.

About Russell:
Russell is a 60 lbs, neutered male, American Stafford Shire Terrier or Pitbull. He is also microchiped, up to date on shots, and appears to be in good health. Despite what people might think of the breed, this is the dog that goes against all pit stereotypes. He is nice, loyal, loving, and wants nothing more then to please. He is very smart and affectionate. If he had his way, he would be sharing the bed with you right now. He's naturally a scaredy cat that would rather avoid someone then bite them. He is a medium energy dog. He likes to lie around the house but at the same time needs to be exercised like any other dog. Currently he's been living in a house with three chihuahuas and two larger dogs. When I come home from school his favorite thing to do is run back and forth in the back yard while the chihuahua's chase him. He also plays with the larger dogs but tends to be more rough. I have monitored his play and consulted a dog behavior specialist who said that his play is that of a normal dog exerting a high play drive. This is not a dog for a person who owns a lot of birds and cares about them. He did chase a flock of seagulls down the beach one day but never caught one. I own one cat, but my cat acts more like a dog then a cat and is seldom inside. He would not run if a dog were to charge him and has even been known to attack dogs much larger then him. Russell ignores my cat and doesn't chase him, but because my cat isn't like most, I would have to see how he would do in a home with cats. My one year old nephew visits me often (once a week) and though the dogs are locked behind a gate when he's over, my nephew can put his hands through the gate and pet Russell with no problems. Russell responds by licking his hands and allowing him to pet his head. He has been around other children of various ages for only brief periods of time and they were able to pet him with the same reaction. But, due to his size, potential homes with children must be 6 years or older. Russell has been living in my home for about 6 months now and has shown no food aggression or aggression toward people or other dogs and cats. Wile he's eating I can put my hand in the bowl, I can pet him, I can take the bowl away, I can feed him side by side or head to head with other dogs with no problems. When strangers come into my home Russell greets them well and allows them to pet him. He did bark at one stranger, but his behavior was quickly corrected and was fine with the person since then. He seems to handle greeting strangers in the home better then in large crowds. Large crowds of people he doesn't know really stresses him. He will pant and may growl at people who try and stress him even more by petting him. However, I have found that walking him in these situations and having strangers feed him treats works 100%. I like to say that once someone has fed him, Russell it their friend for life. Though he is trained not to climb on the furniture, once in a wile I'll allow him to climb up on my bed and watch TV with me. He loves to cuddle whether he's in your lap, lying beside you, or at the foot of your bed. As long as you go slow he will allow you to manipulate him in almost any position. I can even clip his toenails with out any help. He loves his toys and likes to chew on them. I do not recommend tug of war because he is very strong! So far he's been good with stuffed toys as far as he hasn't tried gutting them. He will take them out in the back yard and get them all dirty though. Things that boom, beep loudly, or squirt scare Russell. He's nervous during thunder storms, but becomes increasingly anxious when the fire alarm goes off or when fire crackers are going off. You will know if something is bothering him because he will visibly shake, pant, whine, and hide in his kennel. A simple solution for fire works and thunderstorms is to lock him in his kennel and perhaps drug him or provide him with a favorite chew toy. He hates water bottles, so if he ever does a behavior you want him to stop, squirt him! Swimming in water doesn't seem to bother him but if its squirting at him it bothers him.

Past History:
Russell was rescued from a home believed to have used him as a bate dog. He was very injured when he came to my mom's vet clinic and it took him about two months to recover. I believe this previous home is where a lot of his fear came from. When he was finally able to come to my home (not to live in, but to foster), for the first month or so he was very fearful. My sister could yell at me while Russell was standing behind her and he would crouch to the ground in fear. My family and I could hardy bend over, turn around, lift a hand and he would act as if we were going to slug him. He is way better now and would love nothing more then a supportive, loving family.

Adoption Requirements:
Because Russell is a pitbull and because of his past history, I will be screening potential homes carefully. He deserves much better then what he was given in the past. Potential owners must live in the state of Washington, be home owners, have a fenced yard, and all current dogs and / or cats must be spayed / neutered. Because of his fear, Russell is not a dog for "first time" owners or the elderly. Potential owners will be required to sign an adoption application and adoption paper work. Please no military homes. If you live in Auburn, due to pitbull laws, please do not apply. Please understand that other people may have applied for Russell before you, but you will be considered as a potential home for Russell as long as I haven't made a decision as to where to place him yet. A home visit is required! This means I will bring Russell to your home where I can see how he does in your environment and how he does with you. This is a self rescue dog so I am asking for a $90 adoption fee to help cover minimum veterinary costs (this doesn't even cover half the actual bill from when he first came to my mom's clinic all beaten up).

Contact:
Thank you for considering Russell as your new companion. If you know anyone who may be interested in him please let them know! Contact me at k-9rescue@hotmail.com