Popsicle
Small Breed Mix | male | 4 months Old | 16 Lbs
QUICK FACTS: ✔️ Good with other dogs! ✔️ Loves to snuggle! ✔️ Good for beginner dog owner! ✔️ Crate-trained! ❌ Working on potty training!
Popsicle found his forever home on May 12, 2022!
Updates
PUPDATE 3
Oh Popsicle, he is one quirky cutie. It's hard not to gush over his big ears, legs for days, or his pouty lower lip. And I'm not just saying that because I'm his foster mom. All the lovely people at patio restaurants, pet friendly stores, bars, and walks love him. He is so well-behaved in public settings. I even took him to his first ever class, "Try-it Frisbee.” The trainer couldn't believe his retrieve skills and said he seems like a natural disc dog. He's growing up soo much.
Popsicle is crate trained. At 8:00pm he gets sleepy and crawls into your lap ready for bed. He sleeps through the night with no problems and gives a quiet little groan at 7pm when he needs to go potty. Popsicle sleeps in his crate while I'm at work and has no problems for 8-10 hours. I do leave the news on for him. He is becoming a very informed puppy.
As for potty training, we are officially accident free for almost 3 weeks. He goes to the door when he needs to go.
PUPDATE 2
Popsicle's favorite things are eating, snuggling, and playing with dogs, probably in that order too. He is very food motivated and currently needs to be fed with a slow feeder or his food spread out. Food is his kryptonite. He lacks all self control when food is involved and won't hesitate to eat as much as he possibly can.
As for snuggles, he loves his humans. When I first got him, he loved to be held like a baby and preferred to sleep in our laps. When 8pm rolls around, 9 times out of 10 he will be cuddled up on someone's lap ready for bed. He also loves to nestle his head in the crook of your neck and fall asleep.
Crate training is going well. He sleeps through the night without any accidents or needing to go out. He still gets sad when I have to go somewhere without him but does settle down eventually.
Popsicle has had a lot of exposure to other dogs. I have my own dog and a cat at my residence. He has gone over to my families' homes and visited with their resident dogs; dogs as small as 7lbs to almost 100lbs. Cats are fine. He wants to play with them but my cat is 20+ years old and would rather not. He respects her when she hisses at him but needs constant reminders, which she doesn't hesitate to give.
Popsicle has learned quite a bit since he first arrived. He enjoys walks and is very excited to see the animals coming out for spring. He is so curious and just stares when he sees a bird or squirrel. Now that his legs have grown and the weather is nicer, he is enjoying the outdoors a lot more. Popsicle also went sledding. My 4 year old niece held him in her ducky sled as they went down the hill. He did a great job! He is still learning not to jump but overall is very respectful with kids.
He knows "sit" but is still learning how to sustain it for longer periods of time. He enjoys frisbee. He'll track them, attempt to grab them in motion, and is doing wonderful returning them to me. He's only doing rollers right now because the frisbees are too big for him to catch. Potty training is almost to an end. He hasn't had an accident in a few days but I hesitate to say he's fully potty trained yet.
PUPDATE 1
Popsicle is working on potty training and wakes up in the middle of the night with an urge to potty. Good news! He is really consistent about going quickly and coming right back in (the cold weather has been a great deterrent from goofing around outside). He gets up around 6am to start his normal morning routine. He plays with his toys and my resident dog throughout the day and takes frequent bathroom breaks. Popsicle loves to eat and snuggle. He is more than happy to be held like a baby when he's tired and snuggle in for a nap.
Popsicle is excited by little kids. He is learning that children aren't like other dogs and needs guidance on not pawing at them. He loves humans and doesn't fuss over anyone picking him up. He has gone on very short walks and doesn't mind the people that we've passed but does get concerned about the cars on the street as they drive by.
While Popsicle has been around a 3 year old he is still learning boundaries and play expectations. I'd suggest kids 5 years of age and up.
Popsicle loves to play tug and wrestle with other dogs but its equally matched by his love to cuddle. He tires himself out within a few hours. I can see him being a medium energy dog. He hasn't had much leash walking experience because he is tiny and doesn't enjoy the cold weather. I foresee this changing as he settles into Wisconsin.
For a five pound dog, Popsicle has no fear. He is happy to meet and play with my 50lb dog and my sister's Great Dane mix. He signals his play intent with a play bow and is very respectful of the cues other dogs give him. He's a talker when he plays, constantly voicing his opinion.
Popsicle technically lives with a cat right now. He's very curious but she's an old lady that doesn't tolerate his puppy ways. Popsicle follows her cues and is very respectful of her preferences. Except for stealing her food once in awhile, the two of them exist in harmony.
When we leave Popsicle alone, we play some music, leave the tv on, and cover the crate. Popsicle doesn't like the feeling of being alone. He very much prefers to be by his humans' side. We're working on crate training and he does great at night and is working on it during the day. The "white noise" and covered crate really help him settle in.
Popsicle was diagnosed with a grade 2 heart murmur. We recommend adopters discuss this condition with their veterinarian prior to adoption if they have any concerns. Depending on the cause of the murmur, Popsicle may still outgrow this murmur, or it’s also possible his murmur may be present through life but never cause a problem.
Popsicle lets you know how things are going. He'll rumble and groan, bark and beg, squawk with excitement and so much more. He has such a unique personality that you can't help but adore.