Online Dog Adoption Application

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Dolly Parton was pregnant when she arrived at our shelter and now that her six babies are raised and found fur-ever homes she is looking for her very own home of her own. She is a beautiful Rat Terrier who was rescued from a hoarding/neglect situation. She is shy at first, but very loving once she has a chance to know you. she is completely housetrained, and loves to play.  Here's what her foster mom has to say about her:


    Leash Manners – Dolly Parton does great walking on a leash and doesn't pull too much as long as she's wearing her harness. Her nose tends to make her drift at times. The only thing you have to be aware of is that she has a tendency to stop dead right in front of you to sniff at whatever catches her nose's attention.

    Crate/House Training – Dolly is completely house trained. She has never had even one accident in the house. She does go into her crate when left alone because she can be very mischievious. Simply tell her to go into her crate and she does, then she gets a treat. I do have her ride in the car crated because she wants to be so close to you and is very excited to be riding in the car. When she's lose in the house, it's really cute the way she'll get one of my slippers and leave it in various places around the house, but doesn't chew it up.

    Socialization – Dolly is very fearful of new people and large dogs when she first meets them. She takes right to little dogs with no problem, but can be fearful of large dogs until she becomes familiar with them and realizes they won't hurt her. Although she is a very sweet and loving dog, she doesn't know how to be gentle around very young children (under 7 years old) and may knock them over or nip them because she's fearful of their quick movements. She loves going to dog parks to run. Once she has finally bonded to you, she wants to be beside you all the time.

    Energy Level and Exercise – Dolly has a moderate to high energy level. She loves to wrestle and occasionally play tug of war with my dog, but is perfectly content resting beside me on the couch. One of her favorite things to do is steal your place on the couch when you get up and she loves to lay directly behind you when you're sitting on the couch until it becomes too warm for her, then she'll move to the other side of the couch to sleep. She loves to be outside hunting bugs, but should NEVER be left outside alone because she loves to dig and would be under the fence and running through the neighborhood in no time at all.

    Daily Structure and Schedule – First thing, Dolly goes outside, then gets a treat before being served breakfast. About an hour later, we go to the dog park for an hour or two. Then, she sleeps and plays with my dog until dinner time. This time is broken up with an afternoon snack, which is usually an all natural chicken breast jerky chew or soup bone. About an hour after dinner, we go for a walk. When we get home, she enjoys playing with my dog, then sleeps until it's time to go out to do her business, then she goes to bed. She loves eating cucumbers and carrots!

    Temperament – Dolly is a very sweet and intelligent dog. She's very loyal and enjoys being around people she's warmed up to. She isn't food or toy aggressive, but loves to steal toys from my dog as soon as she sees him chewing on them. Everything is hers, but she's not aggressive about it. She does have slight anxiety issues. When left alone she has a tendency to chew on things, but is very relaxed in her crate when the house will be empty and won't bark or cry when you leave.

    Obedience Training – Dolly is doing great with STAY and won't try to run out the door when you leave. We are still working on SIT, OFF, and DOWN. She gets so excited when presented with a treat that she seems to turn her ears off to commands as all she can think about is how good that treat tastes. She is learning to take treats gently when told to "be nice". We are also working on WAIT when we're on a walk and people are approaching. She's catching on quickly with this, but still wants to bark at them when they get near. The one thing we have been unable to break of is that she will hit you with her paws if she wants your attention, which is quite annoying. The best thing to do when she's doing this is to roll her on her back and rub her belly, so she'll relax and fall asleep.

    Behaviors – She bonds very quickly to her caregiver. She's very fearful around new people and dogs at first. She's a very quiet dog and barely barks at all unless we're on the porch and someone is walking by the house. Although she has a strong desire to chase squirrels and wild birds, she pays absolutely no attention to my pet birds. She should absolutely NOT be in a home with young children! She can play rough, so I'm not too sure she should be in a home with cat(s). Dolly would be amazing at agility training because she's quick, loves to run, and can jump amazingly high. Dolly will act like she wants what you're eating, but loses interest in begging very quickly and will either lay down or go chew on a bone or toy.

    Personality Quirks – She seems to respond to commands only when the command is used in conjunction with her name. She is not afraid of thunderstorms and will even go out to use the potty when its raining!

   Ideal Home – Dolly Parton would be a wonderful addition for most active ADULT households that have another dog she can play with and cat owners should steer clear of applying to adopt her because she would most likely terrorize them. In regards to children in the home, they should be 13 years of age and older. Dolly requires a home with a fenced in yard.

According to www.dogbreedinfo.com the Rat Terrier was named by the preceptive Teddy Roosevelt. They were develope in Great Britain originally from Smooth Fox Terriers and Manchester Terriers in 1820. They were brought to the USA in the 1890's. At that time they were all their original color of black and tan. Life Magazine showed President Roosevelt with three black and tan Rat Terriers. American breeders crossed them again with the Smooth Fox Terrier as well as the Beagle and Whippet. The Beagle increased bulk, trailing and hunting ability, along with the red color. Whippet contributed the speed and agility and probably the blue and brindle colors. The smallest variety was derived from the Smooth Fox Terrier and Chihuahua. The Rat Terrier proved to be one of the best in the rat-baiting pits. One Rat Terrier is reported to have killed over 2,501 rats in a span of only seven hours in a rat infested barn. The Rat Terrier is a hard-working farm hand, able to rid an infested barn of vermin with no problem. The Rat Terrier is an intelligent, alert and loving dog. Very inquisitive and lively. This affectionate dog makes an excellent companion for those who will enjoy an energetic dog. They are good with children, especially if they are raised with them from puppyhood. They are fairly territorial, and for the most part friendly with strangers. Rat Terriers make good watchdogs. These dogs are quick and very playful and are not yappers. The temperament of these dogs is pure terrier. The lively, feisty, fearless nature can be found in the best of terriers. They are eager to please and respond and pick training up faster than most dogs. The Rat terrier is a very well mannered, well rounded dog. They are easy to train and very eager to learn and to please their owner. They love to go with you and to do what you do. They are also very good swimmers, not bashful or afraid and have no problem with the water. They make good farm dogs as well as excellent family dogs for pets and companionship. This hardy dog is used for hunting expeditions as well as terrier work. They are easy adjusted as mature dogs into families with or without children. They have a life expectancy of about 15 to 18 years.

Good with Dogs, Good with Cats, Good with Kids

Dolly Parton the Loving Rat Terrier's baby girl, Amy the Rat Terrier Puppy (adopted) can also be seen on our website.

Dolly Parton the Loving Rat Terrier's baby boy, Smudge the Rat Terrier Puppy (adopted) can also be seen on our website.

Dolly Parton the Loving Rat Terrier's baby boy, Francis the Rat Terrier Puppy (adopted) can also be seen on our website.

Dolly Parton the Loving Rat Terrier's baby girl, Mel the Rat Terrier Puppy (adopted) can also be seen on our website.

Dolly Parton the Loving Rat Terrier's baby girl, Shirley the Rat Terrier Puppy (adopted) can also be seen on our website.

Dolly Parton the Loving Rat Terrier's baby boy, Rory the Rat Terrier Puppy (adopted) can also be seen on our website.