KAI

PLEASE READ BEFORE APPLYING…thank you! MEET KAI! A 3-4 yr old, tan/white, 15 lb, adorable, Shih Tzu, who came from the streets of San Bernardino with no history. By the time he came to us, he had developed more anxiety and fear. We found a trainer who helped get him through most of his issues. However, she never addressed obedience or “leadership behavior” so he can still be reactive to some dogs especially on walks. We FINALLY found a behaviorist who is teaching his foster how to teach Kai to respect her…AND IT’S WORKING! Leader not lover — until alpha is established. Kai is a smart dog who does his best with regular exercise and dedicated attention — and he needs a patient, experienced home that will give him time to acclimate. Insufficient physical activity can lead to heightened anxiety, so he needs an active home that will engage him. Kai gets super excited when you come home or it’s feeding time! He is a foodie and is very motivated by treats! He’s a great dog, just needs leadership. Kai is OK interacting with calm dogs and is very friendly with people and children once introduced. Encounters with dogs on the street requires ongoing reinforcement, as he becomes overly excited and will dart toward them. However, once allowed to familiarize himself, sniff and settle, he doesn’t pay much attention to them. While we don’t always recommend crates, some dogs consider them a “safe cave,” especially if that is how they are trained. Initially, Kai had barking issues, which have definitely settled. That being said, he should be in a home where his person is around a lot and there are no other dogs. Kai’s favorite and never changing thing is to collect squeaky toys! He’s like a puppy at times, teething on your hands/fingers. BUT he can be moody. His guarding issues with toys has dissipated (people and dogs) for the most part, but not with food. Take it slow and watch his body language. He’ll let you know. If you hear a growl, back off! An active home, POSSIBLY with another small, calm but playful pup and a firm yet gentle guidance, patience, and ample acclimation time has proven to be the ticket for Kai. Could this be your next family member? He’s available now (to the right home!) PLEASE DON’T APPLY IF YOU DON’T HAVE THE EXPERIENCE. KAI IS A WONDERFUL DOG BUT HE NEEDS PARAMETERS AND DISCIPLINE! He just needs to respect you and if you set it up this way, it will be this way! He does come with a session by the behaviorist which LHH will pay for.