It’s Walter’s moment to shine! Walter is a seven-year-old Shih Tzu who MUTTS committed to as part of a mass rescue of over 20 mill dogs. He was in rough shape when he arrived (horrendous teeth, chronic dry eye) but thanks to his wonderful fosters and our vet team, Walter is already feeling like a million bucks! Walter is looking for a family who will continue to support his decompression and medical needs, and in return this tiny teddy bear promises a lifetime of affection and loyalty!

We know that the first seven years of Walter’s life were challenging and, as expected, he’s taken time to settle into his fosters’ home. Before attempting many of the training basics (like obedience or leash walking), Walter needed to focus on the actual basics: feeling safe and building trust with his new humans. During the first three weeks with his fosters, Walter opted to hang in his crate; over time, he ventured out into the living room and eventually began to hang closer to his fosters. Fast forward nearly two months, and this guy only uses the crate to sleep overnight and when his fosters are out of the house (no separation anxiety for this guy!)! Talk about excellent progress! Though he still remains skittish around new sights, sounds and places, he is really comfortable at home.

Walter is still hesitant of new people but he’s not opposed to having company over! He’ll always sniff a new arrival but doesn’t like to be pet until he really warms up. Walter will often hang on his own, walking over every so often to check things out before returning to his space. We expect that his transition into his adoptive home will take time, but his experience with his fosters has shown us that he has lots of love and affection ready to go once he’s comfortable. Walter has become his foster mom’s shadow, an honour that has only been bestowed upon her (sorry, foster dad!). That said, he has no issue receiving affection from both! He loves a bum scratch and knows how to reverse right in for the optimal scritching angle. Walter doesn’t take up much space and enjoys low-key living in the home, so he’d be a great condo or apartment dog!

Walter’s interactions have been limited to a few leashed encounters while on walks (a precaution until he was fully vaxxed). He’s hit or miss with other dogs, but never aggressive or reactive. It’s hard to say whether he’d enjoy a home with another dog, but we’re not ready to rule that out. He’s not yet cat tested but his indifference to other dogs and lack of prey drive mean he may pair very well with a feline! As for kids, Walter would prefer older children who are quieter and more predictable.

When Walter arrived, he was not potty trained, but we are happy to report that he’s now 100% potty trained and very regular with his bathroom breaks! He’s also come a long way with his leash skills. Initially, Walter was terrified of the leash: he’d run away and shake when he saw it coming. Now this little guy is pretty much a pro and knows that leash = walk = fun! He goes on four or five walks per day, 20-25 minutes in length. His fosters are now working on advanced skills like pausing before crosswalks and trying out new routes! Basic obedience is still a work in progress, so his adoptive family will have the chance to continue working on this!

Walter is microchipped and up to date with his vaccines. His neuter and dental surgery are scheduled for the end of June.

Not all dogs are lucky enough to have a great start and our guy Walter is the perfect example of a dog who found his luck later in life. We can’t wait for him to start anew with a great family and live out his years surrounded by comfort and love!

SOCIABILITY: Humans (adults and older kids) and dogs; not cat tested, but he’s likely be fine!
ENERGY: Medium
QUIRKS: When Walter is excited, he sneezes!
TRAINING NEEDS: Continued basic obedience and leash skills, continued decompression and exposure to new things
MEDICAL NEEDS: His neuter and dental are scheduled for June 30
WEIGHT: 15lbs
FOSTER LOCATION: Toronto