About Tinker

Tinker is a 6 year old, 10 pound Terrier/Poodle mix who may be just a tiny bit shy when you first meet him, but give him a little time and you will watch him completely blossom into your very best boy. Once Tinker knows you, you become his world. He is your little shadow, your lap dog, your cuddle buddy, and quite possibly your most enthusiastic greeter when you come home. Tinker is a total wiggle butt. Walk into a room and he will be absolutely thrilled to see you, as if you've been gone for days, even if you were only gone for five minutes. He loves being close to his person and especially enjoys curling up in your lap or sleeping in bed beside you. He is also wonderfully silly and has a personality that will keep you laughing. Tinker does live with other dogs, but he has developed a very typical small-dog behavior that his future family needs to understand. When Tinker is on his person's lap, couch, or even his own bed, he can become possessive of that space and will try to keep other dogs away. He may show his teeth or warn another dog off if they approach and if they don't listen, we will react and push them away. He will then happily return to his spot or his person once the other dog moves away. This is not something to ignore or expect another dog to simply tolerate. Tinker needs a home where his person is prepared to actively manage this behavior. His ideal home may be one where he is the only dog, which would allow him to be the center of attention without putting him in situations where he feels the need to guard his person or space. Alternatively, an experienced adopter who is very familiar with this small-dog resource guarding and understands how to properly manage and correct the behavior could potentially make a multi-dog home work. The good news is that Tinker responds well to correction and genuinely wants to please his person. He lives with several other dogs now, it is easily managed. He isn't a difficult dog who refuses to listen; he simply needs clear boundaries and a human who is willing to consistently enforce them. If another dog is visiting or approaching his favorite spot, his person needs to step in and manage the situation rather than allowing Tinker to decide who is and isn't allowed near them. Outside of this particular behavior, Tinker is an affectionate, happy little companion who wants nothing more than to be loved. He is sweet, funny, devoted, and happiest when he is right beside his person. At only 10 pounds, he is perfectly sized for laps, cuddles, and curling up beside you at night. Tinker is looking for someone who will appreciate his enormous personality packed into a very small body and who understands that sometimes the smallest dogs have the biggest opinions. Give him structure, boundaries, affection, and a person he can trust, and Tinker will give you something wonderful in return: a ridiculously loyal little shadow who will wiggle his way straight into your heart.

Contact

Hope Ranch Animal Sanctuary
Riverside County
Anza, California 92539

Kelly Johnson 951-838-6557 ;Kathy Haley 951-515-4077

Email