BERTHA

OTHER PETS: Bertha is not intersted in other dogs, she becomes nervous and avoids ongoing interaction or chooses to ignore others and do her own thing when out in the world on a leash. Bertha would enjoy being an only dog but we are open to the possibility that she may enjoy living with dog(s) of similar independence. [Case by Case (Must Meet First)]OWNER EXPERIENCE: Bertha is VERY sensitive to heat, she will have seizures if her body temp gets too high. While vigilance is the best prevention, this is a high stress world and sometimes things go sideways. Bertha's best fit would be with someone who has experience with positive reinforcement, and caring for a dog with a medical issue that can be scary. [Very Experienced] GROOMING: [Minimal]KIDS: Bertha is comfortable with most handling and interacting but has engaged in mild resource guarding with high value possessions like bones or jerky and could resource guard food at mealtime. Removing items from any dog can be risky even without signs of resource guarding, but when a dog resource guards prized possessions the safest thing to do is 'trade up' with an item of equal or higher value. This helps build confidence around favorite itmes while keeping everyone safe. We want Bertha to be set up for success so her human family members should be old enough to understand how to interact with her safely. [15+ / Dog Savvy (Must Meet First)]ACTIVITY LEVEL: Bertha is an independent girl who enjoys relaxing and exploring when it isn't too hot outside; she is comfortable interacting with humans but hasn't been very playful while at TJO. Bertha enjoys time outside but needs to be monitored closely to ensure she does not overheat - enthusiasm around toys can be developed, a combination of regular/appropriate exercise and mental enrichment such as food puzzles, scent games, and new tricks will help meet her needs. [Couch Potato] VETERINARY CARE: Brachycephalic dogs have a greater likelihood of developing breathing difficulties over the course of their life, they are also more apt to overheat in hot weather and are prone to eye infections. **Bertha is very sensitive to heat, she will have seizures if she is not kept in an air conditioned environment during high temperatures** Care needs to be taken to ensure that their wrinkles are cleaned, neglected wrinkles can become irritated or infected, and skin irritation spreads quickly throughout their body. A strong relationship with a vet is recommended to ensure that Bertha ages gracefully. [Above Average / Intense]LEVEL OF TRAINING NEEDED: Positive reinforcement training will help Bertha bond with her new owner, build confidence, and learn new skills and fun tricks. [Minimal]