Bella

Bella is a low‑energy, ten-year-old, 24lb companion that has an affectionate nature when she trusts and bonds with her person, thereafter, she will try hard to please you, earn your praise and then, she'll nudge for lots of belly rubs. She loves nothing more than following you from room to room, curling up in her bed near you in the living room or bedroom - she rarely goes on the sofa, will not sit on you but will lay by your feet - she enjoys a lot of physical affection on her terms. She'll place her paw on your knee or arm for affection. She enjoys many long daily walks and because of her strength, she will pull on the leash powerfully - especially when excited, sees or hears other dogs (she is being taught how to self-correct and will require further calm direction). She will bark to go to other dogs to be friendly - she's not a bully but may become reactive if the other dog snaps at her. Until trained, keep her on-leash - she doesn't have recall and becomes distracted easily. She has handling sensitivities and can become reactive if startled, moved unexpectedly, or touched in ways that feel unsafe to her. With trust and bonding with her person, predictable routines, gentle communication and respect for her boundaries, she is incredibly loving and loyal. At home with you, she'll be perfectly tidy and clean like the best house-guest! Bella is the perfect match for someone seeking a low-energy, deeply bonded companion who will happily spend her day being by your side and her evenings curled up by your feet or in her bed, getting belly rubs. More detail: Health ● Spayed, teeth scaled and are in very clean condition. Bella is a solid strong dog that's food motivated but has issues with specific meat proteins (beef, chicken, pork, turkey, fish, causes runny diarrhea). Her bowels have improved on a diet of; de-fatted ground lamb meat /rice/ 1 tspn butternut squash - one meal in the morning and then at dinner - also, add a supplement that will provide the vitamins she needs from her limited food nutrients. Use lamb treats for training. Bella isn't nervous on drives but will require Gravol to avoid motion sickness. She also licks her paws. Ideal Home / Temperament / Personality Bella will thrive in a home that is: ● Calm, quiet, and predictable in its daily rhythms - a home with a fenced-in backyard (she's perfectly house-trained but not pee-pad trained), also, she doesn't give notice of when she needs to go ● With adopters who understand dog body language and respect clear boundaries ● Patient, gentle, consistent, and willing to work with her sensitivities from previous life experiences and conditioning ● Looking for a low-energy, deeply bonded person who enjoys routine and closeness. ● Not suitable for: Condo/apartment living (Bella is protective and barks at people in the halls/lobby/elevators/noises and may lunge. She prefers women. Bella warns men vocally more often than women and is sometimes uncertain with children. Any home with pre-teen children is unsuitable - Child-free, or with older children who will always avoid her triggers ● Good with? Unknown with Cats. Use caution around dogs; Bella becomes very protective of her person and her home environment and may become reactive. Bella wants nothing more than a peaceful home and someone who understands and honours her need for gentle, respectful companionship. With the right person, she is an extraordinary companion dog. Daily Life & Routine ● Sleeps in and wakes up when she is ready ● loves exploring on her first walk of the day and then her first meal ● House trained (not with pee pads) and non-destructive ● Fine being left alone for couple of hours; will bark loudly upon your return with excitement ● will follow her person from room to room, take quiet naps, loves 4 or more short walks ● Off-leash recall: she needs training so she's always on a leash ● Happy to explore new areas and environments but doesn't play with toys Training & Management ● Highly food-motivated; lamb treats are an effective tool for training and redirection ● Responds best to calm, confident, and predictable handling ● Needs slow, gentle interactions — rushing her or handling her without her consent backfires unless its from the person she trusts and is bonded to ● Requires calm, confident experienced vet handling with nipping/biting ● Not crate-dependent; house trained and settled Behaviour With Animals & People (Groomer and grooming? details unknown at this time) ● Dogs: barks at all dogs and does not do well with aggressive behaviours ● Cats: unknown ● People: Prefers women, but snaps at anyon, especially if startled, mishandled, or if she feels unsafe ● Visitors: continual barking at the door - must not be approached without giving her time to initiate contact Triggers & Handling Sensitivities Bella can become reactive due to fear, being protective — barking, growling, lunging or snapping — when: ● Touched while triggered by something ● Physically moved or manipulated without her consent ● Approached suddenly or unexpectedly ● Strangers reach for her without warning ● Her food is approached during mealtimes (uncertain at this time because she's been fine with foster) ● Men nearby on walks, halls, elevators (she may lunge and bark) She usually growls as a warning before escalating, but not always. Her adopter must be able to read subtle body language signals and respond appropriately. Management through awareness, routine, and positive reinforcement is key. Fears ● Thunderstorms and fireworks: unknown at this time ● Sudden sounds, movements and unexpected or unwelcome touching or handling Energy Level & Activity Needs Bella is low-energy and relaxed at home. She is not a dog who demands constant exercise, but she does enjoy: ● Short daily walks (multiple shorter outings rather than long walks or hikes) – she doesn't tolerate walking in the heat, humid weather (even when her fur has been groomed short) ● lays by her person's feet and close physical companionship (her bed near her person) ● Quiet time with her human(s) with lots of belly rubs ● She is comfortable and less triggered in a quiet neighbourhood Grooming & Coat Care ● white coat that sheds a little with wire brushing ● uncertain of baths and grooming at this time but will allow foster to slowly wash face, paws and bottom daily, although, teeth haven't been attempted ● Professional grooming was completed early May (details of behaviour unknown at this time) Here is the link to our adoption application: https://www.speakingofdogs.com/adoption/dog-adoption-application-2/