MEET RUBY.
Three and a half years ago, Ruby was a stray who wandered into a family that kept her. Unfortunately, she is now being surrendered because “my dog and next door neighbor’s dog are enemies and she barks constantly at it. She also escapes from backyard a lot by digging under fence. She barks at other dogs while on walks also and will lunge at other dogs. She is also fine around other dogs when I am not there. She’s very protective of me, her owner. Sweetest dog ever but I don’t have the time or money to put into training her.”
Below is a copy of the surrender form that came in for Ruby so prospective owners can read the previous owner’s own words:
| Your dog’s name: | |
| Ruby | |
| Gender: | |
| · Female | |
| Color: | |
| · Silver/gray | |
| Age: | |
| 4-5 | |
| Weight (in pounds): | |
| 60 | |
| Birthday, if known: | |
| ? | |
| Spayed or neutered? | |
| · Yes | |
| When was your dog spayed or neutered? | |
| 2017 | |
| Where did you get your dog? If from a breeder, please provider breeder information. | |
| Stray | |
| Is your dog microchipped? | |
| · Yes | |
| Do you have your dog’s AKC registration information? | |
| · No | |
| How long has this dog lived with you? | |
| 3.5 years | |
| Why are you relinquishing this dog? | |
| My dog and Nextdoor neighbors dog are enemies and she barks constantly at it. She also escapes from backyard a lot by digging under fence. She barks at other dogs while on walks also and will lunge at other dogs. She is also fine around other dogs when I am not there. She’s very protective of me, her owner. Sweetest dog ever but I don’t have the time or money to put into training her. | |
| What food (include brand, type, quantity) is your dog eating? | |
| Pedigree adult, 4 cups per day | |
| Is your dog current on all vaccinations? | |
| · Yes | |
| Do you have your dog’s rabies certificate? | |
| · Yes | |
| Do you have your dog’s rabies tag? | |
| · No | |
| What is the name of your veterinary clinic? | |
| Petco | |
| Do you have a copy of your dog’s veterinarian records? | |
| · Yes | |
| Has your dog ever been diagnosed with a urinary tract infection? How many times? | |
| No | |
| Please describe any medical conditions or concerns. | |
| Her ears get dirty fast, need weekly cleaning | |
| Please describe any skin allergies, and whether or not they have been diagnosed by a vet. Is the dog on a special diet to control the allergy? | |
| None | |
| Please describe any seizure history and provide information regarding diagnosis, medication, and effectiveness of medication. | |
| None | |
| Where does your dog spend the day? | |
| In backyard or in house. | |
| Where does your dog sleep at night? | |
| In my bed. | |
| What is your dog’s current exercise routine? | |
| Running off leash about an hour 3 times a week, and leash walks when I can. | |
| Is your dog crate trained? | |
| · No | |
| Is your dog housebroken? Reliably? Not reliably? Please describe any accident patterns. | |
| Reliably house broken. | |
| Is your dog good on a leash? Can your dog take walks on a leash without pulling? Please describe any leash walking difficulties. | |
| She is good until she sees another dog, then pulls toward it. | |
| Has your dog ever escaped from the yard or house? How often does that happen? | |
| Yes, about 10 times in 3 years. | |
| What is your dog’s favorite game or activity? | |
| Running off leash and sleeping on my bed or the couch. | |
| What are your dog’s favorite toys? | |
| Stuffed animals. | |
| How does your dog show affection? | |
| She talks! Seriously wines/ groans when spoken to. Rolls on back and pounces……also “mouths “. | |
| How does your dog generally greet strangers in your home? | |
| Barks at them and may gently nip at clothing | |
| How does your dog greet strangers and other does when you’re out and about? | |
| Fine on leash | |
| What commands or special tricks does your dog know? | |
| Stay sit speak | |
| Have you ever worked with a behaviorist, dog trainer, or other professional? | |
| No | |
| How does your dog get along with other dogs, both large and small? | |
| Good | |
| How does your dog get along with cats or other small animals? | |
| Good…..cats only not smaller | |
| Would you recommend your dog be placed in a home with other dogs? Yes or no, and why? | |
| No, she’s very territorial even with our other dog when wanting to be the closest to me. She wants ALL the love! | |
| Would you recommend your dog be placed in a home with cats or other small animals? Yes or no, and why? | |
| No…..she wants ALL the love | |
| How much exposure has your dog had to kids? Would you recommend your dog be placed in a home with children? Yes or no, and why? | |
| Yes. She’s lived with my 2 kids for 3 years. 5 years and older recommended. | |
| Please explain any behaviors that the new adopters will need to be aware of, and under what circumstances they may happen. Example: chewing, excessive barking, separation anxiety, etc.) | |
| She steals food from counters. She barks at people walking by or other animals when I’m back yard. She also eats cat poop out of litter box. | |
| If you believe your dog has separation anxiety, please list the symptoms. | |
| NA | |
| In what ways has your dog been destructive in your home? | |
| NA | |
| Has your dog ever growled, bared teeth at, lunged, or snapped at you or anyone else? Please explain. | |
| She growls if you try to take food away from her when she’s eating. She also growls if you try to move her when she’s sleeping. | |
| Has your dog bitten you or anyone else? Did the bite break skin? Please explain. | |
| No | |
| Does your dog have any fears? What are they? Please explain. | |
| I believe she has general anxiety. She is a great watch dog though. She barks at any noises she’s not familiar with. | |
| What does your dog do when he/she is frightened? | |
| She hates bathtime and will hide and out her tail between her legs, head down. But is a good sport during bath and loves when it’s over. | |
| Is your dog sensitive about being handled in any way? Please explain. | |
| When she’s asleep petting is fine, but if I try to move her she gets very upset and growls. | |
| Has your dog lived with other animals? Please describe species and how they got along. | |
| She had 10 puppies after I adopted her and we kept one. So she has lives with him, (80 lbs lab mix) and 2 cats. | |
| Has your dog ever fought with another dog? Were food, toys, or rawhide involved? | |
| She has gotten into short fights over food with her son. She has also gotten into an altercation with the dog next door but no skin was broken. | |
| Has your dog ever injured another dog? How severe were those incidents? | |
| No | |
| Would you like to be kept updated about your dog in the future? | |
| · Yes | |
| How soon can we coordinate picking up your dog? Please list a few good days and times. | |
| Any | |
| Lastly, please feel free to add any other information you wish to share about your dog. | |
| She will be missed greatly. She is extremely affectionate and loyal. | |
3/21/2020 Update from Ruby’s Foster Mom:
Ruby is a super affectionate, super happy girl. She has lots of bouncy weimy energy. She knows sit and shake. She is also very vocal and expressive. She talks a lot when asking for and receiving attention.
So far with people, she has been fine. No issues with meeting anyone in my house, or out on our first walk. She rides great in the car (way better behaved then my two haha).
So far, I would say I would not recommend her for a home with other dogs. As the owner indicated on the surrender form she is quite reactive while on leash. Initially when introduced to my dogs she was reactive. She has calmed down a bit, but will still react if they get too playful or too close when she is snuggling with me.
Overall, a total sweetheart.
In summary, it sounds like all Ruby needs is a family who has time to invest in some basic training, establish boundaries so she knows she’s not allowed to be pushy and bossy, and give her a great home. Let us know by filling out an adoption application if that might be you!