"Buster"

Buster.

Oh Buster.

Where do I start?

OK...here's the scoop on Buster...

Back in March, an older couple and their grandson came to The Perky Puppy looking for a "little house dog" puppy. Well...it didn't matter how much we talked to them about shih-tzus, poodles, etc., they kept fixating on the puggles. "Oh, how cute! I really like these right here!" Etc., etc., etc.

We talked about an adult weight of 21-30#. We talked about puggles being high-energy and a little A.D.D., needing lots of exercise, etc. We talked and talked and talked.

They decided on the puggle anyway. And, of course, we told them if they had any questions or problems to give us a call immediately.

Fast forward 8 months.

Here comes the phone call..."He's too big. Our family has had some health problems. We can't walk him. He's too strong. HE'S BIGGER THAN WE WANTED."

Ya think?

Now, in our defense, we would have denied the sale, if we were SURE it was a bad mix. It wasn't super obvious. We talked about everything we could, but it was still a wrong fit and we learned something.

So, they made an appointment to bring Buster down, where we would place him in rescue and give the couple a discount on a smaller breed of dog.

Until we saw Buster. He was clean. BUT, he had no manners (too big for them to control), he hadn't had a vaccine since he left us in March (don't EVEN get me started), he was unneutered, and he was borderline WILD (not mean, just freaky)!

I "sternly educated" them on where they had gone wrong, all the way back to that day in March at The Perky Puppy, and up to the present day.

I quickly determined that we "did not have any breed of pup that was suited to their needs" (wink), even though we had plenty of small breed puppies. I strategically pointed out the flaws in every puppy (too big full-grown, needs professionally groomed, needs brushed daily, etc.), so we were well on our way to helping them be dog-free.

Only now, without a new puppy, they weren't interested in just giving Buster to us ("We spent a lot of money on him."). So I bought Buster, right then and there, for $ 75., just to get him out of there. (I know...I can be a real sucker.)

We immediately vaccinated and de-wormed him. Then, we realized that he wasn't really housebroken. Great...

Puggles are probably THE EASIEST dog to housebreak. They are very food-motivated as pups and will often "fake another pee" while outside, just to get an extra treat. So, it's obvious that they just didn't work with him.

So we went back to the basics...crate training...treats for "going" outside. outside just after eating, etc. We are working on basic manners (no jumping, walking on a leash like a little man) and basic obedience (look at him doing his "sit" in the picture).

We got him neutered (which has helped him not be crazy) and got him a Rabies vaccine.

He has come a very long way. He is very teachable and learns quickly. He would progress faster with one on one attention. He is finally ready to go to a home for that. Prior to now, it wouldn't have been fair to his new owner...he needed professional help.

He needs someone who will put energy into him...teaching him as quickly as he will learn...teaching him tricks, making him do those tricks...not letting him be a heathen. We're willing to equip someone to do that.

He will likely do best in a home where they are not first-time dog owners. Although he gets along great with other dogs, he will probably progress fastest where he is the only dog and all of your efforts are with him.

If you'd like to know more or have questions, please feel free to call or email. We are willing to discount him to the right home.

Thanks!
Jessica

P.S. For those of you who have been praying for our rescues, pray for Buster. He's overcoming a lot. He needs just the right family to keep that moving in the right direction. Thanks!