Ricky

Name: Ricky

Age: 4 years

Breed: Pit Bull Mix

Sex: Male (altered)

Location: Fort Wayne, IN

Vet Info: Ricky is confirmed neutered and up to date on vaccines.  He is heartworm negative.  Ricky weighs about 70 pounds.

Owner Info: Ricky is a gorgeous fellow who is looking for a new home. His owners love him very much, but know he will better as an only dog.  Ricky was originally adopted from a shelter, and his owners have had him for 1 1/2 years.  He loves cuddling with people on the couch, laying in the sunshine, napping, and chew toys!  Please read more about this very handsome fellow below.

Ricky is completely blind.  His owners write that his eyes will move towards sound and function like regular eyes, but they just don't see.  They are not sure if he was born blind or became blind at an early age.  "According to the shelter Ricky was seen by a veterinary doctor to assess whether or not he could undergo a procedure to give him back his sight. It was determined that it's not an operable condition."

Ricky is an indoor dog confined to one area of the house.  He is housebroken and leash trained.  He's also a very smart fellow and knows many commands and phrases, such as "sit, down, step (to help him expect a step up or down), by me (used while out walking to reduce injury or pulling). He is crate trained and knows the word "cage" - he will go directly to his cage to lay down upon command."  His owners also tell us he uses his other senses very well in a new situation.  "Once he gets the lay of the land (boundaries, steps, fences, smells, people, etc.) he is comfortable and will set into a routine."

Ricky is good with men, women, older children/teenagers, and cats.  He can be possessive of toys, treats, or food, and can be aggressive towards other dogs when he gets anxious.   Ricky's owners gave us more details about his behavior:   "We believe when things are a little unknown or we get thrown off the routine (timing and perhaps guests are over) Ricky gets anxious. Any dog that ends up in his path at that time is subject to his aggressive reaction."

Ricky's owners have also shared a detailed write-up:

Ricky, a pit bull terrier mix (70lbs), is 4 years old and loves his people. Ricky is blind, but uses his other senses very well. Ricky understands many commands and phrases such as sit, down, step (to help him expect a step up or down), by me (used while out walking to reduce injury or pulling). He also has learned to navigate stairs. Ricky loves chewing on toys and is a strong chewer, so Nyla or Benebones are great. He also enjoys fetch using a ball that makes noise. Ricky has been in a house with 3 other dogs and 2 cats. The cats come and go and he may take a sniff or two, but they don't occupy his time. The majority of the time Ricky engages with his humans rather than other dogs, unless he's cuddling with one. However, Ricky will startle easily if bumped into by another dog which can lead to conflict, so we highly recommend a home for Ricky without other dogs or small children. Ricky thinks he's a lap dog most of the time and will lay with his people on a couch or bed. He loves napping and laying in the sunshine. Ricky can get excited easily and sometimes doesn't know his own strength, but letting him run in a fenced in backyard helps with his bursts of energy. He is crate trained and knows the word "cage" - he will go directly to his cage to lay down upon command. This dog is a phenomenal companion who has been tremendously loved, but is in need of a calm house and owner set on routines to curb Ricky's reactions to unexpected events. He is up to date on all vaccinations.