Portia arrived to our rescue as a semi-feral dog. She is very fearful of people, new objects, new sounds, etc. She didn't understand toys, being petted, going in a car, wearing a leash, going for a walk or other things that people expect from a pet dog. Although she is good with other dogs, she can show cage aggression if she's crated and sees a dog walk by. Sometimes she will resource guard with other dogs, which is why it’s important to maintain her training schedule.
She needs a person who is experienced with semi-feral dogs and who has a patient dog to help her. Portia can be sweet if she trusts you, but she is more of a project than what most people consider to be a pet. She is crate trained and needs to be in a crate when not watched because she will chew on furniture, baseboards and she will even break her crate if it’s not strong enough.
She is very skittish still and has to be introduced to unfamiliar objects and people slowly. She will easily jump 5 ft in the air without having to run to gain momentum, so she is a flight risk. She is very fearful outside and a leaf blowing by may make her freak out and try to escape. I only take her out wearing both a leash and a harness in an enclosed area with a fence. We're trying to desensitize her but she may never enjoy it so she will probably never want to leave the inside of a home. This means she has to use training pads to potty.
Because she doesn't like to go outside (or anywhere outside the home) and doesn't understand how to play with toys, she needs enrichment. She is allowed to rip up special treat-filled cardboard tubes, training time is a fun time she looks forward to and rough housing with another dog also helps with enrichment. So she needs someone who is dedicated to making her life fulfilling in ways that make up for not being able to do regular fun dog activities.
Portia will bark at any sound, so we have to help drown out the outside sounds (birds, people in the neighborhood, garbage trucks, etc) with music and the TV on most of the day. This means she can never live in an apartment or HOA with rules about barking. She will also bark at people in the home who make sudden movements or are loud.
I'm a very sweet and playful 4-year-old girl! My forever home needs to have a fenced yard, and must be in the south Florida area. Once I get to know you, I'll want to cuddle with you on the couch and bed. I'm a 100% inside-only pup. I don't feel comfortable outside which is a shame because I love to zoom and play. I think it reminds me of bad times when I was loose in a horse pasture for many weeks. Good thing ERU saved me! I was scared, matted, and I have a few scars to prove I went through a hard time. I need a family that will let me take my time to get to know you and that will provide me with enrichment activities inside, since I don't like to go outdoors. My foster family takes me outside at times (with a harness and leash on) and I've gotten a bit better, but I'm not sure I'll ever love to go outside. Good thing I'm trained to potty on training pads! It's great because you won't have to take me outside if the weather is bad. I like to play with other dogs. I'm very well trained, and I will take my turn for treats with the other dogs at my foster family's house. I'm crate trained and I love my crate because I feel like it's a safe place I can go to if I feel scared or just tired.
I love to have my hair brushed and I don't mind being bathed, but the blow dryer is not my favorite. If you ask me if I want to get pretty, I will come running because I know it means you're going to brush my hair. If you ask me if I want my eyes wiped, I will hold my chin up so that you can wipe them for me. I know how to do a nice sit, down, and come, and I can walk on a leash (indoors for practice till someday I have more courage and can do it outside.) I will even put my head through a collar or harness or slip lead if you hold it up for me. If you want me to sit or lie down on a mat, towel, bed, etc., just ask me to do a Place. I will do just about any trick or learn anything you want to teach me for a piece of chicken, meat, or any human treat you have. I don't know how to play with toys like other dogs. I don't think anyone ever gave me toys before ERU saved me, so my foster family is teaching me. But I do like paper towel tubes filled with treats, that I can rip and run around the house with. I've started learning how to throw plushies and play with them by myself. I also like to play chase and zoom around the house with the other dogs here. Please remember that you must live in south Florida, and a fenced yard is mandatory for me.
More about Portia of FL
Good with Dogs, Good with Older/Considerate Kids Only, Good with Adults, Somewhat vocal, Requires a yard, Leashtrained, Likes to play with toys, Playful, Affectionate, Intelligent, Gentle, Needs a companion animal
Whenever possible Eskie Rescuers United tries to adopt out its dogs locally (or at least to adopters in adjoining states to where I'm being fostered). Please note that ERU processes LOCAL adoption applications before considering those from out of state.
If I'm not local to you, as explained above, and you really have your heart set on me, you will have to make special arrangements so ERU can get me to you safely (for example, flying me to you at your own expense, or paying a transport group to drive me to you). Note: We may ask that you to make a donation to cover transport costs if the distance is great and we have trouble finding transport drivers. There is an adoption fee required; and, please be aware, Eskie Rescuers United will not adopt out its dogs as outdoor dogs.
Eskie Rescuers United American Eskimo Dog Rescue, Inc. is an IRS-approved 501(c)(3) non-profit organization. Please click the donation button below to make a tax-deductible donation through PayPal and help make a difference to even one American Eskimo dog!
Other Pictures of Portia of FL (click to see larger version):
