2 years old, 15 pounds, Newark.

Roo is a loving, playful, smart, just-turned-2-year-old Chihuahua mix. She weighs approximately 15 lbs.

When Roo first came to live with us, she was very anxious, but once she is comfortable with someone, she really comes out of her shell. She is very affectionate and would love nothing more than to sit in your lap all day–that is, when she’s not busy playing tug of war or fetch. Being a young dog, she is energetic and does better when given adequate exercise. She really enjoys her walks and playing with her toys inside the house. She craves attention and will take any opportunity to interact with her people.

We think her ideal living environment would be a quiet home with an individual or couple who can devote the time and attention she prefers. We venture to guess that the more active/chaotic the living environment, the more agitated she may become. That being said, once she got used to extended family, she was comfortable in a larger group. She hasn’t had a problem with our 5-month-old baby, and she especially likes our 3-year-old niece, often getting excited when we mention her name. We don’t have other pets, so we can’t say how she would be with other animals. She might enjoy another dog in the house to play with, but we’re honestly not sure.

She is used to resting in her crate and enjoys sleeping in, snuggled under her blanket. She is reliably housebroken and should have no problem going to the bathroom outside the house. She also has good manners inside the house. We’ve never had a problem with her chewing shoes, destroying furniture, etc. Perhaps the occasional nibble on toilet paper or tissues if you leave them within reach 🙂 Roo enjoys car rides and has done well on longer car rides. She also loves taking showers and frequently gets the zoomies after a bath! She is very treat motivated and follows commands well when treats are offered. She especially enjoys her dental stick each evening. If you want to phase out treats, she will likely need a little more training/support in this regard.

Roo is spayed, microchipped, and up to date on her vaccinations. She won’t need her yearly vaccinations (rabies, etc.) until June 2025. She currently takes benadryl for mild allergies. She also has a low grade luxating patella but it doesn’t cause her issues and hasn’t shown signs of worsening.

Perhaps Roo’s biggest challenge is her anxiety. Within the first week of getting Roo she bit while trying to take something out of her mouth, it didn’t break skin and at this point of our relationship I doubt that would happen again because of our connection. She also bit again a couple months ago and did not break skin. In this situation she was scared and barking at a stranger and she responded with a nip when picked up by surprise. It was most likely a split reaction from the tense moment she was having.  When visiting the vet or the groomer, she will likely require a light sedative. She struggles most with transition and novel experiences. It can take her a while to calm down and accept new people. If you’re having guests, for example, it would be best to introduce her on prior occasions, where possible, and at a minimum, meet outside the house before everyone enters together. Alternatively, if it’s a short visit, perhaps having her play outside or a different part of your house might also be a good idea.

We’re happy to answer any other questions!

For more information about Roo, please contact their guardian at (631) 236-8397.