Klondike was adopted 4/22/22 by John Lumbert (TN).
Date(s): 7/6/2021. Album by Terry. Photos by Terry. 1 - 43 of 43 Total. 3292 Visits.
1 Say hello to Klondike.
2 He is around 4 years old and weighs 22 lbs.
3 We believe that he is a Rat Terrier/Beagle mix.
4 Klondike was abandoned by his previous owners. After they moved away, he hung around the property, but the new tenants called animal control because he wouldn't leave. In the shelter, he just closed down completely, resisting all contact with humans or other dogs, just huddled in a corner of his cage, miserably shaking.
5 When he first got here to foster care, he would have nothing to do with us. He would run away and hide under a bush if we got anywhere near, and he wouldn't come in the house. Even indoors, once we finally managed to herd him in, he avoided us completely. It took him over a week before he would let us touch him at all.
6 With time he got brave enough to come up onto the deck when he wanted to go inside, but he would still avoid direct eye contact and not willingly get within arms reach.
7 Finally one evening he jumped up on the couch, and after pointedly ignoring him for a half hour, Gary slowly extended a hand, without eye contact. Klondike consented to being patted.
8 Progress from there was slow but steady. If he thought we wanted to "get" him, he would keep away with suspicious looks. But he had begun to relax and seemed to prefer to be somewhere nearby us rather than off alone by himself.
9 Once he crossed the Trust hurdle, he became friendly and affectionate, seeking out attention and physical interaction.
10 Klondike is interested in other dogs and even early on was willing to come near us when he was distracted by the other dog.
11 He gets along nicely with other dogs, ignoring them for the most part but occasionally enjoying running and playing chase with them.
12 He was immediately accepting of his new foster sister.
Download MPEG4 13 It was heartwarming when Klondike finally felt comfortable enough to show an interest in toys. He does like to destuff them (click for a short video) and chew on them.
14 Klondike has become quite a cuddle puppy, enjoying spending time with his people. He wants to be nearby, though not directly on your lap. He is still somewhat nervous and suspicious about being picked up.
15 He doesn't get all the way on to your lap, but he doesn't want to be ignored!
16 He has learned so many new things over the past weeks: how to walk on leash, sit for a treat, go willingly into a crate, ride calmly in the car, etc.
17 Belly rubs, please!
18 When Klondike began feeling more at home here, he started showing an aversion for being left alone. If left for more than a short period, his anxiety turned to panic.
19 Although he will rest quietly in the crate when we are nearby, when he is left alone for more than a couple hours it is a different story. Once he became panicked; he chewed up the bedding and in his desperation even tried to chew his way out of the crate!
20 Fortunately he has made good progress on separation acclimation and now can be left alone for short periods without undue distress. Nevertheless, he is seeking a home where someone is around most of the time and is normally only gone for short periods.
21 And now that he walks very comfortably on leash, he could also accompany you on your outings so that he wouldn't have to be left alone for long periods.
22 "Please don't leave me! I want to be with you!"
Download MPEG4 23 He is overjoyed to see us when we get home from being gone, as this video shows.
24 Just hanging out, hoping for petting.
25 "Come on... you can't resist my gorgeous eyes, can you?"
26 So, while much of the time he is calm and chill...
Download MPEG4 27 ...sometimes he's just got to get those zoomies out! (Click for a video. Sorry it's sideways.)
28 Ready to spring into action if you're willing to give him your attention. He loves to chase and be chased, romping and teasing his pokey slow foster parents.
29 Then back to being chill.
30 It seems that about every time I get out the camera to take photos of Klondike I see him in the same, favorite position.
31 His housetraining is 100% reliable, and he promptly does his business when he is let outside.
32 Klondike got to go to Rat Terrier Jamboree in October, where he met dozens and dozens of new people and dogs, and he did great with all of them.
33 He was so relaxed at Jamboree that most people had a hard time believing how suspicious, fearful, and uncooperative he had been just a few weeks before. His progress has been amazing and heart-warming.
34 His only anxiety at Jamboree was when foster mom would leave the fenced field. He would stand and watch my departure, barking his displeasure, and waiting there dutifully until I'd return.
35 He is very attentive to his people.
36 And he is extremely food motivated, which makes training fun!
37 He likes to play with balls.
38 Trying to defuzz them is So fun!
Download MPEG4 39 He isn't possessive about his toys and while he doesn't (yet) bring a ball back to you, he doesn't get at all upset if you take it away. Click for a short video of him enjoying his ball.
40 He has been learning to catch a ball. He isn't very good at it yet, but occasionally he succeeds!
41 Just a guy and his ball.
42 He is ready for a Forever Home where he can get lots of attention.
43 Mr. Sweetness is ready to give his whole heart and devotion to his new person or family, although there will undoubtedly be an adjustment period as he learns to shift his allegiance.
