Susie Rat Terrier Mix Rockwood, MI

Susie is about 2 years old, 14 lbs and appears to be a rat terrier. Before your heart melts and you apply for Susie, please do your research on this breed because Susie lives up to the breed 100%.
Susie was on the run for quite some time before she was trapped. Once trapped, she sat in the shelter, in fear for about 8 weeks. Since Susie was fearful, she did not make it out of the shelter cage much.
When I went to pull her from the shelrer, she would not come near me and she did crocodile rolls on leash. It took assistance of a shelter volunteer to get her into my car and strapped in for the ride home ( was not prepared to pick up a dog after work so I did not have a kennel but always have safety harnesses).
On the ride home, about a mile in, Susie relaxed and melted to my touch. Just like that, she was mine. Susie’s transition from shelter to home started off a little rough, she chewed her way out of multiple leashes and she can scale the fence. Luckily, since she bonded, she always returned at my command. Susie had high anxiety and hated when I left for work. If left out with free run of the house, she can be quite destructive so crating is a must.
Over time, Susie’s anxiety has lessened and she’s beginning to enjoy her den (crate). Her den is the one place she’s given deer antlers to gnaw on and kongs with treats to keep her busy.
While we’ve had Susie for a couple months, she prefers her foster Mom and doggie siblings over anything else, she takes time to warm up with new humans and is not trusting of men.
Susie’s perfect home would be one that will keep her busy, someone who understands working dogs and the requirement to keep them stimulated. Susie would do great on a farm and she needs the companionship of other dogs. If Susie is not busy she will find ways to entertain herself and her methods may not be appreciated by her human. Susie would love her human to be home a lot and if her human is busy like her. When she’s on the farm, she follows her foster Mom all over assuring her farm duties are done properly.
Susie has come a long way and with training and knowledge, her new family will be rewarded with her loyalness and companionship. Susie aims to please, loves to make her foster Mom happy but also needs her new family to remember she is a working dog. Susie is fearful of new people, men and children but has never shown aggression, it’s just obvious she has an untold story. In addition, it’s not unusual for her breed to fear all other than her pack. Susie is a prime example of why it’s important to know the breed before you bring them home.
While Susie needs someone who understands her, I must add that it’s likely I will cry when she goes. Susie has taught me so much ! Susie is not all snuggles and cuddles and because she is active, I am more active. Susie has been a great companion to my puppy who is close to her in age and she’s very protective of my seniors and me. I don’t think I’ve had a dog quite as smart as Susie, she seriously shocks me sometimes.
If you know the breed and understand her, she will make you one happy human!
Susie must be adopted no more than one hour from Monroe county Michigan so her foster Mom will not be far in the event assistance with her training is needed.
If you’d like to apply for Susie you may do so on our website www.chihavenofmichigan.com. Or you can email us for questions Chihavenmi@aol.com