Otis - ADOPTED
Meet the Puppy
Otis and Milo were surrendered from a loving home of four dogs. Unfortunately, the owner was going through a rough patch financially, while also going through cancer treatments with one of her other dogs. She reached out in a cry for help.
Details
Nicknames: Otis
Age: 3 years old
Weight: 12lbs
Approx Full-Grown Weight: 12lbs
Gender: Male
Breed: Min Pin/Schnauzer/Chinese Crest/Road Runner from Looney Tunes
Shedding: Otis is medium haired, and with a healthy diet her shedding can be maintained. He is a HAIRED dog, so shedding is close to none.
Kid Tested: Yes - Kids 6+
Cat Tested: Yes
Dog Tested: Yes
Temperament
Otis, Otis, Otis. Where do we start? He is a little road runner. Don’t let his size fool you, he’s got plenty of energy to keep up with you, but equal amounts of love to snuggle up with you.
Otis is the biggest snuggly love bug, who wants nothing more than to smother you in hugs and kisses. He really doesn’t know what personal space is if it hit him in the head. The closer he can be the better, and if he can’t get in your lap, he’s stare you down until he can be in in it.
He loves to play with dogs, play with toys, and play in the yard. He’s great at fetch, but has more fun playing keep away after he fetches. He does have “little dog syndrome,” and has a tendency to play rough with bigger dogs, including some play growls and ankle nips, and definitely lets the big dogs know he’s not afraid of them.
He is a bit of an anxious and nervous dog. He’s on high alert for new dogs and people. He’s weary at first of anyone new (cowers and quivers at first meets), but warms up. He probably won’t be the dog to walk up to stranger to say hello, but he’ll happily get to know your guests and smother them in kisses. He’s responsive to many vocal commands, and he’s got GREAT leash manners. Given his anxious nature, we are working on that with a HS prong collar using the pressure and release communication method of walking to teach him to focus on the human instead of all the millions of distractions and he’s become an amazing leash walker. Thanks to the collar, he’s built SO MUCH confidence around nervous situations, and conquered some insecurities in busy places like city squares and the Farmer’s Market! He has so much potential from being a good dog, to being a great adventure partner! If you are looking for a big dog personality, in a small dog body, I’d say Otis is your man!
Update from his Northern Foster: We took Otis on a hike in the White Mountains, and he was a natural!! Hiking alongside his pack leader, always a few steps behind me. There was no boulder too big, no mud puddle too deep for him. He has really impressed us in the time we’ve had him! He does fantastically well in his crate for naps throughout the day and bedtime, and he’s super respectful of his foster fur-siblings. I’m blown away he has had no applications, because he is such a special and fun little guy.
We REQUIRE that Otis works with one of our recommended northern trainers initially, implementing a balanced training method. WHY? Because he has thrived so beautifully in this method, gaining confidence and a great understanding of the line of communication. Additionally, we have invested both time and money into her training and future, and we don’t want to see her back track on the foundation. We have already started the foundational work of balanced training. Adopters should be ready to progress into the next step of training which would be remote collar for off-leash fun! The first session is covered by us, and our recommended trainers will continue to work on confidence, manners, reliability, and FUN.
Those with balanced training experience, and slip lead/training collar/prong collar/remote collar experience are preferred!
As an organization, we prefer balanced training over positive only, which is balanced between a ton of positive rewards, but also expectations, rules, and structure to set boundaries. We are firm believers that the more rules you have for your dog when they are young, the more freedom they earn as they get older. So set down expectations and boundaries for your dog now with a trainer and the right tools, so they can be part of all the family fun!
Those who don’t believe in rules, routine, and structure for your dog, need not apply.
Needs
Otis is a bumble bee. He’ll need walks and playtime. Don’t let his small size fool you, he’s in it for what ever adventure you decide!
Otis will need someone who is home more often than not (works from home or semi retired), so he too can invade your personal space.
Otis would love a backyard to play ball in!
Otis needs humans that will continue to use the crate with him because he harbors some anxious energy and alertness. He NEEDS and THRIVES in the crate as a place for him to unwind. He really loves his little room!
Otis needs a pack leader to guide him. Nervous dogs don’t need you to coddle them, they need you to take charge. He’s thrived so much! Small dogs have a tendency to get away with unwanted behaviors (excessive barking, snippy attitude, pacing, and separation anxiety) because they are in small.
Most importantly, Otis needs boundaries. These littler the dog, the easier it is for them to think they are the boss of the house. But they are really seeking is a human pack leader to take the lead and guide them to what is acceptable and not acceptable behavior! As a wise trainer once said, “Love them by leading them.”
Crate/Potty Training
All puppies and dogs rescued by FAVOR are crate trained, sleeping in the crate from 9pm-6am, and accustomed to some day crate time as well. Puppies also understand the basic concept of peeing outside, but there is ALWAYS a transition period where crate cries and potty accidents WILL HAPPEN in a new home, as the dog transitions to new rules and ways to communicate.
We always recommend keeping dogs crated during nap times, bed time, and when they are alone to protect them from danger such as chewing on cords, socks, and other objects. Foreign objects can get stuck in their stomachs which can result in a very expensive surgery. We also encourage using the crate like a bedroom for your dogs as they get older, where they can take naps, take a break from human interaction, and have a time out. More importantly, the crate provides them a safe place to go to when things get overwhelming, like a lot of people, loud noises, extreme weather. Think of the crate as their “den,” and a place for them to unwind. We all need a break sometimes!
Vetting
All dogs rescued by FAVOR are:
Spayed/Neutered
Microchipped
Vaccinated for Rabies, Bortedella (kennel cough), DA2PL (distemper, adenovirus, parainfluenza, leptospirosis and parvovirus)
Up-to-Date on Flea/Tick Topical Preventative
Up-to-Date on Heartworm Preventative
Dewormed
*Rabies must be administered after 12 weeks of age. If puppies travel before 12 weeks, Operation Favor will refund adopters $15 towards the cost of their rabies shot.
Adopters immediate responsibility will include:
Required: Puppies WILL require DA2PL 3rd booster shots when age appropriate (between 14-18 weeks of age) at the expense of the adopter
Optional: LYME-LEPTO combination vaccine at the expense of the adopter.
Cost
$650 Adoption Fee PER DOG
NEW ENGLAND Arrival Date
In New England - We offer foster-to-adopt, so please read our FAQs for more information!
Still have questions?
Please read our FAQs if you have any questions on our organization. Many common questions can be answered here.