Ralphie Boston Terrier Waukesha, WI

Ralphie is available for adoption if we can find just the right home for him! He has some pretty special behavioral needs, so please read carefully and reach out to wbtradoption@gmail.com with questions. He is a 7 year old, approximately 24 lb Boston surrendered from a puppy mill in December 2022, and has been working hard since then to overcome his fears and learn to be a dog. He will need a quiet home with at least one other friendly dog, no children under 12 (and only patient humans above that age who can respect his need for space). He also absolutely requires a secure physical fence as he's not capable of leash walks. He hasn't met any cats, but we don't expect that he'd have any problems.
Ralphie came into rescue as an extremely frightened, anxious, traumatized dog. With a lot of hard work, he has learned to take treats from his foster mom and follow the other dogs outside. He's learned that it's REALLY fun to sniff around outside, and even sometimes play with other dogs and toys. He is potty trained on a schedule, following other dogs out, but does not ask to go outside independently. He did mark prior to his neuter, and it's possible this will need to be discouraged by positively reinforcing going outside when he's in a new environment.
Ralphie's needs include daily medication for anxiety, no big staircases and a ramp for short ones as he hasn't learned stairs, and a human who is able to lift him in his crate because he is still scared of leashes and can't safely be transported any other way. Your vehicle would need to fit that size crate that he's used to. He also needs dog waste in the yard to be picked up promptly, or else he'll try to help and give himself an upset tummy.
Ralphie still does not want humans to touch him, though he will approach his foster mom for treats and eat from a bowl she is holding, and is beginning to tolerate very brief touches occasionally. Veterinary care requires experience with fearful dogs. He no longer has enough teeth to seriously injure a person, but still should be handled carefully to avoid a biting level of fear.
Ralphie is very good about going into his crate and feels safe there. His foster humans work from home, but he's fine with them being gone at times. He can hold it 8+ hours overnight, but has access to a potty pad in a pen if they're going to be gone for more than a few hours during the day.
We know that Ralphie is not the dog for many people, and if you're expecting snuggles, you won't get them from him. He is, however, a cute little guy who's learning how to be a braver dog, and could be a good playmate for other dogs in a home. He's safe and will keep learning in his foster home for as long as he needs - but if you might be the very special person who could take over teaching him, please reach out. All questions should be directed to wbtradoption@gmail.com (it's easier to get a response from the right person this way rather than Facebook comments or messages). His adoption fee will be $300, as he is nearly a senior and has special needs. You can also find information on the adoption process and a link to the application form on our website at www.wisconsinbostonterrierrescue.com.