Pongo Jan 24 Standard Poodle Pacolet, SC

Date into Rescue: 1/8/2024
Reason for being in rescue: Pongo comes from a backyard breeder. He spent his first 8 months of life living outside in poor conditions.
Foster location: Foster Home in Gaffney, SC
Special Needs? Yes, Pongo came in with extensive damage to his coat. For the most part he has grown most of his fur back. He will require extra grooming and a high quality food to help his skin continue to heal. It may be months before his coat properly grows into the normal poodle curls. Pongo is neutered, up to date on vaccines and heartworm negative.
Weight: 55 lbs
Height: 20 in
Spayed/Neutered: Yes

Adoption Fee: $599

Fence needed? Yes, Pongo needs room to run. He requires a physically fenced yard with fencing 4 feet or taller.

What kind of home would be best for me? Pongo needs an experienced owner. He can be very shy and timid in new situations and with people he doesn't know. Pongo absolutely must have another dog in his home, preferably between the age of 1 and 5. Pongo is very bonded to his foster mom, a potential adopter can expect Pongo to hide behind her during the meet and greet. He is learning how to be social with new people but the world is a lot bigger than Pongo could have imagined. Pongo wants a quite lifestyle at first but does want to learn how to be an active walking companion. Once Pongo is comfortable, he does enjoy going for outings to see dog parks, get pup cups, and just run simple errands with his foster mom. Pongo would prefer no young visitors for a few weeks while he settles. Even though Pongo was terrified at first in his foster home, he has never shown an ounce of aggression. He is a very submissive dog and would be fine with mannered young people once he is comfy.

What is my personality like? Pongo lived in an outdoor kennel with not a lot of social interaction, this does affect young dogs for quite some time. You need to be patient with Pongo and understand he simply needs time to get used to his new family. We know Pongo bonds hard to his person once he feels safe, the best way to make him feel safe is to let him come to you on his own terms. He is very food motivated which helps aid in the bonding process.

Pongo is your normal bouncing happy 9-month-old puppy when you see him with his foster mom and her pack of dogs. He runs and plays nonstop with his foster siblings. Once he has tired his energy out, he is in bed snuggled up with another dog and his foster mom. Pongo loves to give hugs, go for car rides, and loves to play with toys. Pongo is very comfortable in his crate and would like to have one in his home. He is trying his best with house training but does still have an accident or two when he really has to go. Pongo is always touching another dog in his foster home, he absolutely relies on other confident dogs to figure out what he is supposed to do. Pongo is a very happy dog once he's comfortable.

How do I act when I first meet new people? Timid and very uncertain, he will need time.

Other tips and tidbits: Pongo's birthday is 5/5/2023

House trained? 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.