ADOPTED!
Breed: Parson Russell or Jack Russell Terrier mix
DOB: Nov 2013
Sex: Neutered male
Weight: 13 pounds
Foster home: Jamie
349-21
Fostered in Cedar Springs
This is Goofy. Goofy had a home since he was a wee puppy. Unfortunately after his parents (and sister dog) moved, he became a Naughty Little Terrier Boy. This may have had something to do with his teeth rotting away for so long, causing terrible pain!
If you love terriers and you love spunk and you love those dogs with crazy quirks, he is your man!
First off, we must say, Goofy loves people, he’s great with all people! He is extremely friendly and is even great with every dog he has met thus far, big, little, male or female, even good with kids as young as 8 or so (note…he will not be placed in a home with children, but polite kids with proper supervision as company, will be just fine) He is not an active dog — more of a couch potato who likes to be warm and comfy. His favorite place is on a lap under a blankie.
He isn’t a run off and chase things kind of guy, he listens very well. He is totally house trained and great on a leash. Goofy likes going bye-bye too! You would think that this is the “perfect little dog” right?
Well, hes got, shall we say, quirks, its really just one huge quirk — and this is the reason he was brought to me. The man didn’t want to have to shoot him (no joke) when he became nasty at home, scaring his elderly wife after they moved to a new home. He came to me as happy as can be, albeit, scared and confused. I feel that his behavior could have been corrected long ago in the right home, unfortunately, he wasn’t corrected and he knew what worked to get his way.
Goofy’s demon is growling and snarling.
Ever had a dog that you thought “oh, boy, hes going to take my face off!?” Well, that’s KIND OF Goofy…but not really! Make Sense? If you’re still reading, we might have hope.
When he first saw a squeaky ball, he was so exited, as was I, but once he got it in his mouth – out came the Demon Dog! He was not giving it back, no way, no how, didn’t matter. Lift him off the ground as hes snarling, hes keeping that ball!
My thoughts were immediately “Oh my gosh, hes super aggressive!! He’s Nasty! We cant place him!” I honestly thought I was going to get bitten when I did finally get that ball!
After having him for some time, we have learned that he is all bark and no bite. But — it’s a lot of Bark. I am almost half tempted to think that his growling is almost a talk, instead of a growl, but at times he will show teeth, the few he has left. It sure sounds scary! He growls when let out of his crate, he growls when you have to move him off your lap, he growls if you tell him NO in a firm voice…it’s just what he does. Some dogs who are resource guarders (ie my toys, my bed, my human) do not share space well with other dogs. Goofy is not that way at all, he doesn’t mind sharing his human at all. Dogs are not allowed to steal his food or his ball, but I don’t blame him entirely. I do feel that he needs an experienced terrier home because we do not want this to happen to him again, and get dumped because he scared someone. I really have been kind of pushing him – just to see his reaction, and never, repeat, never, has he even tried to bite…but at times it sure sounds like hes going to eat me alive, piece by piece starting with my fingers — then my face! But just a second after he’s done growling, he’s up snuggled into my lap, tucking his face under my hand, or just laying back on me looking for lovings. He growls when I put his little clothes on, even when happy-wagging his tail. Even when he came home from the vet — after his neuter and having TEN little rotten teeth pulled — the girl who brought him out made several comments stating hes all bark! She said “hes just so goofy!”
I wouldn’t place him with cats, unless the cats are very used to obnoxious dog behaviors. My male cat loves to mess with him, follow him then run away causing a barking game of chase. My sensitive kitty just hisses and backs away and that is when Goofy stares her down, shaking and getting himself all upset, and barking at her. I can tell him “NO” and he will come back to me, but he does want to annoy that poor cat.
If you are an experienced terrier lover and you need an excellent snuggle buddy who has to know who rules the roost, you should come meet him, because you will fall for him for sure! (just don’t bring squeaky toys or balls for that first introduction)
Update: He is SO GOOFY! I totally get why they named him that. Hes so funny and so loving and yes….growly! Its all talk! You are going to have to be ‘the right’ person to even WANT to ‘deal’ with him. I can tell you, if I wasn’t a foster home needing space for the next one – I’d keep him in a heartbeat! Hes completely adorable! Hes a great little dog! Even for a multi dog home! I’ve allowed him on the bed more and more (but still being crated at bedtime) Hes the easiest dog ever really! His growling has subsided a lot, but it’s there still. We have days where I can take the ball right away from him, and we have days where he just wont let it go, growling the whole time. I can move him around on my lap with minimal arguing. He is still excellent with the other dogs, and the cats are the same. He got in with my birds the other morning as we were feeding, and never even attempted to go after tiny baby chickens! What an angel!
I hope a person is out there who loves Terrier Spunk! Hes a chill fella 99% of the time! BUT – you have to be aware of that 1% argumentative little terrier boy, pretending hes scary!
If you do have interest in meeting Goofy – please drop us an application Adoption Application and email tzupoomom@gmail.com
to arrange a meeting.
