Buttercup (D25-203)

Meet Buttercup!<br/><br/>Buttercup is a 5-year-old, 14-pound Shih Tzu with a soft, sweet nature and a gentle personality that continues to shine more each day as she learns the world can be safe and kind. She is highly food motivated, which helps her build trust and makes her very responsive during calm, structured interactions.<br/><br/>She is still learning confidence with leash walking and handling and will need a patient, experienced adopter who is willing to go at her pace. Buttercup does best when she is given time to process new experiences and allowed to choose engagement on her own terms. Once she feels safe, she enjoys gentle affection and particularly loves being petted and receiving belly rubs from people she trusts.<br/><br/>Buttercup has previously completed heartworm treatment while in NMDR care and may require follow-up veterinary care with her adopter's veterinarian to support her continued health and wellbeing.<br/><br/>Buttercup has elevated behavioral needs, including sensitivity to handling and leash pressure, and is considered a high flight risk requiring structured safety awareness and management. She is easily overwhelmed by fast or direct interactions and does best with slow, predictable, and gentle handling. She responds best when given time and space to process new situations, and may benefit from low-pressure handling techniques when first building trust. Buttercup enjoys the company of other dogs and may benefit from having a friendly, confident canine companion in her future home.<br/><br/>This dog has a documented history of two incidents in which a bite occurred that broke the skin. These incidents occurred in situations involving handling and were associated with fear or feeling overwhelmed in the moment. Buttercup is sensitive to direct or rushed handling and may become uncomfortable when interactions move too quickly or when she is not given adequate space and time to adjust. Because of this, she would do best in adult-only home with an experienced adopter who understands sensitive, undersocialized dogs and is committed to structured, patient desensitization work. Her future family must be comfortable maintaining strong safety awareness and using appropriate management tools as she continues to build trust.<br/><br/>A meet-and-greet at the shelter is required to ensure the best match for everyone involved.<br/><br/>With the right environment-calm, consistent, and respectful of her boundaries-Buttercup has shown she can begin to form trust and continue making progress. She is looking for a home that allows her to feel safe first, with everything else developing at her pace.<br/>------<br/>Many NMDR dogs have had limited prior socialization and may need time, patience, and support as they adjust to home life. Skills such as house training, leash walking, and handling may require continued practice. Progress will vary by individual dog. Homes with older children are often a good fit, depending on temperament. To learn more about NMDR and our adoption process, please visit our website.

Meet Buttercup!

Buttercup is a 5-year-old, 14-pound Shih Tzu with a soft, sweet nature and a gentle personality that continues to shine more each day as she learns the world can be safe and kind. She is highly food motivated, which helps her build trust and makes her very responsive during calm, structured interactions.

She is still learning confidence with leash walking and handling and will need a patient, experienced adopter who is willing to go at her pace. Buttercup does best when she is given time to process new experiences and allowed to choose engagement on her own terms. Once she feels safe, she enjoys gentle affection and particularly loves being petted and receiving belly rubs from people she trusts.

Buttercup has previously completed heartworm treatment while in NMDR care and may require follow-up veterinary care with her adopter's veterinarian to support her continued health and wellbeing.

Buttercup has elevated behavioral needs, including sensitivity to handling and leash pre

Meet Buttercup!

Buttercup is a 5-year-old, 14-pound Shih Tzu with a soft, sweet nature and a gentle personality that continues to shine more each day as she learns the world can be safe and kind. She is highly food motivated, which helps her build trust and makes her very responsive during calm, structured interactions.

She is still learning confidence with leash walking and handling and will need a patient, experienced adopter who is willing to go at her pace. Buttercup does best when she is given time to process new experiences and allowed to choose engagement on her own terms. Once she feels safe, she enjoys gentle affection and particularly loves being petted and receiving belly rubs from people she trusts.

Buttercup has previously completed heartworm treatment while in NMDR care and may require follow-up veterinary care with her adopter's veterinarian to support her continued health and wellbeing.

Buttercup has elevated behavioral needs, including sensitivity to handling and leash pressure, and is considered a high flight risk requiring structured safety awareness and management. She is easily overwhelmed by fast or direct interactions and does best with slow, predictable, and gentle handling. She responds best when given time and space to process new situations, and may benefit from low-pressure handling techniques when first building trust. Buttercup enjoys the company of ot