Malia-Adopted

Update 6/8/09: Malia arrived in foster care over the weekend and so far we're sure about her favorite things kids and belly rubs! Malia, who is about 6 months old herself, ADORES her foster family's children, who range in age from 4 years to 10 years old. She loves to snuggle and play with them, and crash for naps close to them.

Malia has settled nicely into her foster home. She behaves well with the resident dogs and accepts them as dominant leaders of their little pack. She hasn't met any cats in her foster family. She's a nice size, weighing in under 30 pounds.

She is working on her house training, and can go through the night in her crate without an accident. Malia has learned to sit on command and she's been walking well on a leash. Her foster mom says that Malia has a medium energy level - she likes to play and will need regular opportunities for exercise, but she also loves to lay in the sun.

Malia is submissive and perhaps a little timid when meeting strangers but she warms up very quickly and loves everyone she gets to know. Her foster mom thinks this adorable girl will make a wonderful family dog for some lucky family!

Notes from our partner shelter: These pups were owner turn-ins after they had mom fixed. Mom is a bassett and dad was unknown. They were born in December; turned in to the shelter in March.

Age: 5 months

Breed(s): bassett/ hound known parentage_______mom is bassett, plott in the other puppies is obvious

Weight: 30 pounds *estimate Approx. size when grown: medium (40 ish)

Energy Level:puppy energy *Med: fine with a walk or two per day plus playtime

People/General Playfulness: *Plays all the time

Socialization: *Moderately socialized: cautious but not scared

Is this dog a Flight Risk?__________no_________________________

House Behavior: *Not Housetrained *Not familiar with living inside

Obedience:* needs puppy training

Behavior with other dogs: *Initiates play often

Children exposure: Ages of childen and amount/type of exposure:__14, 12, 7______________________ *Cautiously friendly

Dominance/Submissiveness: have not had any issues - Maddie and Margo are the most dominant of the litter and get the food first. Malia is the most laid back/submissive. Maverick and Makenna are in the middle. None have showed aggression outside bickering between littermates. Fine with other dogs.

Reactions to strangers: *Will approach slowly or with treats/enticement for attention

Cats: Known cat history or present (ie foster home has cats? And what degree of exposure has the dog had to the cats and the dogs behavior indicators): Controlled exposure to cat in: *Outside environment *Noticed cat: then ignored completely *Noticed cat: sniffed but uninterested *Noticed cat: interested/curious, but no outward signs of aggression