Bruno
Terrier Mix | male | 2 Years Old | 10 Lbs
QUICK FACTS: ✔️ Good with other dogs! ✔️ Good with kids! ✔️ Crate trained! ✔️ Housebroken! ✔️ Good in car! ✔️ Can free roam when left alone! ✔️ Good for beginner dog owner! ✔️ Could live in an apartment!
Bruno found his forever home on May 11, 2022!
Updates
Bruno is let out of his kennel at varying times depending on the morning, anytime between 6:00 and 7:45 a.m. On early days, he takes a long walk right away. Typically after wakeup he goes outside to potty, eats his breakfast, and follows us around while we get ready. He goes for a short walk to school with the kids on school days, and then alternately naps in the sun, plays, and just chills out. He goes for another short walk sometime between 4:30 and 6:00 pm, and has dinner. He snuggles with us until 10:00-11:30, goes outside to potty one last time, and then is kenneled for the night.
Bruno is quite shy at first when meeting new people. If the person holds their hand out for him to sniff and is calm and patient, he will approach and quickly warm up. He's met a lot of new people in the neighborhood and at recent family gatherings. He does fine, although a large group of new people can be a bit overwhelming for him.
Bruno lives in a home with four kids (ages 12, 9, 8 and 8) and he does very well with them. He will let them pick him up, hold and snuggle with him. He’s met some of their friends and has done well with them too, once again displaying initial shyness but quickly warming up to them.
Bruno is a medium-energy dog. He loves a few short walks on most days, and also the long walks (2-3 miles) we take several mornings a week. He loves running and playing with the kids in the yard. Generally, when he is inside he is pretty calm or asleep on the couch, and when he’s outside he’s running around with a toy in his mouth. Bruno initially had no idea what a leash was and it took him a day or two to be comfortable wearing and walking around in his harness and leash. His leash skills are pretty good. He likes to explore and sniff and will pull sometimes, but he is getting better. Bruno also does well off leash and will stay at your heel and look to you for guidance.
While we do not currently have other dogs in the home, Bruno frequently goes on walks with two large labs, and visited a household with a medium-sized dog for an afternoon with us. He also lived with other dogs at his southern foster home. He can’t exactly be described as friendly with dogs he meets outside the home, but he isn’t overly aggressive either. He likes to let other dogs know his boundaries, and is fine once they leave him alone, which they usually do. On walks, he sometimes growls at other dogs when walking by them, but he doesn’t exhibit other aggressive behaviors. He’s getting better at ignoring other dogs on our walks. In all of these situations, Bruno looks to his human for guidance and is reassured when we gently encourage him. Slow intros to new dogs are recommended for Bruno.
Bruno reportedly chased cats in his southern foster home, and is interested in squirrels and bunnies on our walks. It will be best for him to go to a home without cats.
Bruno hasn’t shown any destructive tendencies while in our care. He is left alone uncrated in the house for several hours while we are gone, and just finds somewhere comfy to nap.
Bruno cannot be left alone in our fenced yard, however, because he has slipped under the gate to follow us a few times. We think of it more as wanting to be by his people than escaping. He tried to follow us to school once (without our knowledge) and then returned home to patiently await our arrival after rebuffing neighbors’ and crossing guard's attempts to help collect him.
Bruno can be stubborn and we haven’t really worked with him on commands yet. He is very motivated by praise, love, and treats, so training should not be too difficult. He is super comfortable in his crate, and often goes there to relax throughout the day. He sleeps in his kennel at night, and has occasionally been crated while we’re away and does well. He is fully potty trained. He didn’t love car rides at first, but is getting much better in the car.
Bruno is the sweetest, most delightful and charming little guy. He’s the closest we’ve ever come to foster failing and we absolutely adore him! But we think he’ll be happiest in a home that is less busy than ours. He is very small, so should go to a home without kids, or with kids who can be very gentle and move slowly around small, shy dogs.
Bruno was positive for Anaplasmosis, a tick-borne disease, in April but is not showing any clinical signs. A positive result for Anaplasmosis just indicates antibodies to this bacteria, not necessarily active infection. Per our rescue protocol, he is currently being given a round of antibiotics. Bruno also tested positive and was treated for heartworm before he made his trip up north. His heartworm restrictions are complete. He recently tested positive for heartworm at his vet visit here, although this is normal for up to 6 months after treatment. He should be re-tested in a few months.
Bruno is very loyal and tuned in to his people, wanting to be near them and looking to them for guidance. He will be an excellent companion for a small household that is willing to spoil him with love, snuggles and maybe some fancy dog food and super cozy places to curl up and nap. Bruno is a bit of a picky eater and loves his kibble mixed with wet dog food (preferably kinds with fish or seafood) and otherwise won’t eat very well.