Chester

Chester - 4 years, 16lbs, Chiweenie, Neutered This dog is eligible to join our foster-to-adopt program. Please email fostertoadopt@socialteesnyc.org with the animal’s name in the subject line if you are interested! Want to straight up adopt? Submit an adoption application at socialteesnyc.org Our Team Says: "This pup was rescued from a hoarding situation in PR - involving about 40 dogs. Due to this these pups are on the shyer side and need patient people who will give them time to get used to normal life. They are very sweet dogs: just need more time and patience. We love these dogs - we've rescued about 15 of them and they have all been a joy." Their Foster Parent Says: "Chester has been great. He is slowly progressing. Very slowly, but I notice him come out of his shell tiny bits at a time more everyday. He is the easiest dog. He is fully housebroken, never barks. My parent's fostered and ended up adopting a dog a couple of years ago that is a lot like him. She would barely look you in the eyes, didn't want to be pet, would stay in her crate or bed pretty much all the time, but I watched her come out of her shell the same way Chester is. I think he has a long road ahead before he seems more comfortable with people, but I can already tell that in the few weeks I have had him that he is learning that I am part of his pack and trusts me. Just this morning he got out of his bed on his own and came to find me putting on my shoes because I was about to take him outside. I clipped on his leash and only slightly had to coax him to go out. Normally I have to go to his bed and pick him up or he won't go. He still is spending 100% of his time in his little bed, aside from when I walk him, but I believe in time he will join me in the other room here and there. I see the curiosity and bravery trying to push through. When we are on walks he is curious about other dogs and wants to socialize with them. He will also stop and look up at people as they walk by like he is curious about them. My husband is traveling right now so I think it is possible that he is also checking to see if any of those people are him. He will definitely need a home and parent that has a lot of patience with him and knows that it will take him a long time to ever want to cuddle (if ever). Like I was mentioning with my parent's dog, only now a few years later will she choose to jump on the couch and sit with me and my husband and let us pet her, and when we go home to my parent's she comes to greet us now, but that took a while. He seems to have a very similar demeanor. Extremely sweet, but very cautious. I also think that a home with another dog that is trained and sweet would be really good for him. I think it would help show him that it is okay and safe." Level of dog ownership experience required: BEGINNER – “Beginner” doesn’t necessarily mean easy as all dogs will require time, work, and patience, but we predict this dog will be low on the challenge scale because of their breed/age combo. Potentially a good fit for someone who has relevant dog care experience (fostering, dog sitting) and is looking to adopt their first pup. Tolerance to City He is slowly but surely becoming acclimated to the city, however he is easily scared by noises around him. This has gotten better in the time we have had him, but I think it will be a long road for him. Potty Training Yes. The only accident was the very first day we had him (to be expected) none since then. Comfort level with strangers Generally speaking he is a wallflower. We have noticed that with females he seems to be more inclined to say hello if they want to engage with him. Fortunately even though myself and my husband are cis men, he has taken to us and seems to seek us for comfort in various situations. Comfort level with kids It is hard to say how he will be with kids as not only do we not have any, but he hasn’t encountered many on walks or in our building that he’s really gotten close to. He is SO gentle