About Dusty

Name: Dusty Sex: Male Spayed/Neutered: Yes Breed: Terrier / Mixed (long coat) Weight: est 35 lbs Height: 18 in Estimated Birthdate: 6/12/2010 Fence Needed: Yes without exception, Dusty needs a physical fence but not one where he is left outside by himself. He will dig out if left alone outside. Location: Dreamweaver Farms, Pacolet SC Adoption Fee:$200 Date into Rescue: 6/12/2019 Reason for being in rescue: Owner release- Can't care for and want a better home for Dusty. Owner's had a difficult time in keeping him contained. Special Needs: none What kind of home would be best for me? Dusty needs a home with an experienced dog owner who will help him learn to be an inside dog. For 9 years he has been outside on 35 acres, allowed to roam wherever he wishes. Sounds good, right: Except then neighbors moved in and demanded he and his friend, Ruby be kept at home or else. Not knowing what else to do, his owners went to an invisible fence, and Dusty did not like that one bit. He bit his owner several times, and the owner reported he will bite if you touch his head, but he has never shown his teeth to us for anything other than to smile. What is my personality like: Dusty has a winning, easy going personality with a lot of charm, picture Tom Cruise before he had a melt down on Opra. He gets along with other dogs, and I don't think we have found a person he doesn't like yet. How do I act when I first meet new people: We were told this boy will bite if you touch his head. He bit his owner but he won't bite us, and he did not bite the vet when he went in for a heartworm test. It looks like as long as you don't electrocute him, he's ok with you, sounds pretty reasonable to me. This boy is so sweet! He is protective and walks close to you, he is GREAT on a leash. If you start to slow down and the leash pulls, he slows down so he can walk by your side. We went to the gas station and he did great in the car, he does have a bad habit of getting in your seat when you get up but he does move out of the way pretty easy. When I went inside (I left the A/C on for him don't worry!) he waited patiently for me and greeted me with a big kiss when I got back. At the lake, he sniffed around a bit but wasn't too interested. Not a fan of water, he prefers to stay close to his human. He wasn't so sure about treats, not taking them from my hand, but if I lay them on the seat, he'll eat it. He LOVES cheese and did take that from me. He was very gentle about it though. I think this boy has great potential and just needs to be loved and taught to be an inside dog. He's so sweet! Tips and Tidbits: Dusty is about 9 years old according to his previous owners but since he was found as a stray originally we don't have exact. We've assigned a birthdate of 6/12/2010. He acts like he is around 5. His teeth say that, too. Dusty would love to go to a home with Ruby as they have been together for 7 years but they are not bonded and they can go separately. House trained: I know a lot of people are going to assume since Dusty has always been outside that he would be impossible to house train. This is not the case. We've started crate training and Dusty is doing well. I also find dogs who have been mostly outside show a vast preference for using a tree and not your refrigerator. The key is schedule. Dogs can be house trained if they are in the right environment and are allowed to follow a schedule as long as a physical reason doesn't keep them from being trained. A dog house trained in my home may not be in yours. We will help you teach your new dog this necessary skill and based on your schedule.

Cherokee County
South Carolina