Fiona
Chinese Crested Mix | Female | 6 years Old | 8 Lbs
QUICK FACTS: ✔️ Good with other dogs! ✔️ Crate trained! ✔️ Housebroken! ✔️ Can free roam when alone! ✔️ Good in car! ✔️ Walks well on leash!
✔️ Good for beginner dog owner!
Updates
Fiona was adopted on May 17!
Fiona sleeps in her crate on a comfy bed, burrowed under a blanket, right next to my bed at night. She sometimes whines quietly in the crate, but overall sleeps quietly through the night. Her tail starts wagging in the crate when she sees that I'm awake, and she's very excited to start her day every morning! On weekdays, we wake up around 7am, but on weekends, she sleeps in a little bit.
During the day, Fiona likes to go on walks, burrow under blankets on the couch, sit in the sun, or just kind of hang around where I am. She loves being able to cuddle with me on the couch at the end of the day. During couch cuddle time, if you aren't petting her and she decides that she'd like some attention, Fiona will come up and adorably raise her hand, inquiring as to why you aren't petting her.
Fiona is a very sweet and friendly girl! She's very excited to make new friends, both inside and outside of the home. While she will bark if someone new comes in the house, she quickly warms up to them once she realizes that they're a new friend. On walks, she'll happily wag her tail and go up for pets if someone comes up to us. Everyone who's met Fiona comments on what a sweetheart she is!
Fiona has not had any exposure to children in her foster home. She stayed with a sitter her first night in Wisconsin and did well with a toddler.
Overall, Fiona is a low to medium energy dog. We currently take several short to medium walks a day since it's so nice outside, and that does a good job of tiring her out. On leash, Fiona does well overall - we're working on not zig zagging as much, but she does listen well when I redirect her. Wearing a harness helps keep her from pulling on the leash.
Fiona does like playing with toys and will goof around with some soft, squeaky ones for some time each day. The majority of each day, though, she can be found lounging around. Fiona currently takes advantage of all of the cozy spots in the house during the day. You can often find her burrowed under a blanket, or sitting in a sunbeam, or if it's cold enough for it, curled up in front of the fireplace.
Fiona does really well with my resident 5 lb male dog. She does enjoy stealing toys from him, so if a resident dog wouldn't like that, it might not be a good fit with Fiona. Otherwise, she co-exists really well with my dog, as they're both lower energy and don't bug each other to play. On walks outside of the home, Fiona can occasionally be on alert when seeing other dogs. If you distract her with a treat and have her keep walking, that does well at stopping her from barking at them. Fiona has had no exposure to cats.
Fiona is crated when left alone at home. As long as she has her comfy bed, a blanket, and some water, she does well in the crate for a few hours at a time. I haven't left her for more than 4 hours, but given her energy level, she might be able to do well for longer.
Fiona is a skilled jumper, so we're currently working on not jumping up on chairs and tables. We're also working on not barking at people and dogs out the window. Fiona is doing well with training in both of those areas, especially if she doesn't have access to places to jump up on, or can't see out the window. Those behavioral habits are things to consider for apartment living, and for being left home alone. With more training, I feel that Fiona would continue to do well at stopping those habits, and one day being able to be left free roaming when alone.
The Wisconsin vet noted Fiona has some tartar accumulation and will need a dental in the next 1-2 years. Fiona has medial luxating patellae (luxating knee cap). This is a very common issue for small breed dogs where the patellar groove is not formed as deep as it should. Continue to monitor for any hindlimb weakness or limping. Keeping her at an optimal weight is key.
Being a Chinese Crested, Fiona has very little hair on her body. She does well with the current weather but will need to build up a nice wardrobe of sweaters and coats for when it starts to get cold outside. That investment will be well worth it to have a lifetime friend in small, sweet Fiona.