Pepper is a gentle soul. She has had new experiences while in rescue, like car rides, visits to the vet, and exploring the house. She receives love, has her fur combed, goes outside on the pokey grass, and runs in the yard with her Sheltie mentor. She has her safe spot where she can watch the door, and the world go by. Pepper requires a canine companion and a secure fenced yard to progress safely in her new home. She does best in a predictable household with routine. Developing trust and safety will be key for Pepper. Read more:

Age: 4 years (BD April 2022)

Size: 17.7 lbs.

Temperament: Pepper is reserved until she feels safe. She tends to hide if there is a lot of activity but watches closely what is going on. Pepper is beginning to enjoy affection on her terms. She will sniff her foster mom’s fingers when she pets her. Low and gentle works best. Pepper will eat treats set on the floor for her; treats from hands is too much pressure for now. Pepper has Sheltie instincts. She will want to be behind you so she can herd you. She also likes to touch you with her nose when she is behind you. I don’t know if she is telling you to go faster or just letting you know she is there!

Fence: Pepper requires a secure, physical fence that fully encloses the yard, with direct access from the house. She is a high flight risk and hides when frightened, and she does not have experience with leashed walks currently. Outside Pepper keeps her distance from people, and follows the other dogs in and out. A gate at exit doors is used as a precaution because she likes to stick her head out the door.

Dogs: Pepper follows and learns from both dogs in her foster home. She will need a confident canine companion to help her to feel safe and to provide guidance. 

Cats: Pepper and the resident cat get along fine. 

Children: Pepper has not lived with kids. She will need a home with adults, or with a calm, older child who understands about giving a dog space and waiting for a dog to initiate interaction, and who can be responsible to close doors and gates to prevent accidental escape.

Crate: Pepper currently uses a crate during transport only. She is not crated when her foster family leaves the home. She doesn’t like wire crates but is fine with a hard-sided crate. 

Housetrained: Yes.

Car Rides: Pepper is quiet when riding in a crate in the car for her safety. Car rides have been limited to vet visits. 

Responds to Cues: Pepper has not had formal training while we focus on helping her to adjust to living in a household. She has learned that waggling the fingers means come, and responds to the hands up signal to stop barking. She responds to the cues “outside”, “biscuit” and “eat”.

Leash Walks: Pepper has not walked on a leash. For her safety, Pepper should not be taken on leash walks outside a fenced area until she trusts and feels safe with her person and in her own environment, and has practiced leash walks on both a leash and a harness within the fenced yard for several weeks. Pepper is sensitive to sounds and would run and hide if frightened.

Activity Level: Medium. Pepper feels safer inside of the house instead of outside, especially when there is traffic noise. 

Barking: Pepper will bark when the other dogs bark. She barks to come in from outside, and will continue so that you don’t forget to bring her inside!

Health: Pepper is on a urinary diet as she had crystals in her urine. She has had no further issues and will need to stay on this food to prevent UTIs and bladder stones. While in rescue, she was spayed and had a dental, vaccinations, 4dx, lab work, and she is microchipped. 

Experienced Home: Pepper will blossom in a home experienced in allowing the dog to set the pace for interaction and building trust without pressuring her to progress faster, and who understands the precautions needed to keep a shy dog safe. A home with routine and consistency will be very helpful. She will need an adopter who can give her time and space to adjust to a new environment and who can support her to feel safe. The slow approach works better for Pepper. Love her gently.

Adoption fee: $350

We adopt locally to the Twin Cities metro area of Minnesota. 

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