Dale - Staying With Owner

Name: Dale

Age: 6 1/2 years

Sex: Male (altered)

Breed: Dachshund

Location: Washington DC

Vet Info: Dale is confirmed neutered and is up-to-date on vaccines. Next rabies is due 11/2015 and distemper is due 07/2017. He is heartworm negative. The vet’s office confirmed he is on medication for anxiety. Dale is blind due to SARDS – Sudden Acquired Retinal Disease – since June, 2011. He is otherwise in good health. Dale weighs 18 lbs.

Owner Info:Dale is a blind dachshund who is fear-aggressive and having trouble adjusting to the new baby in the house. His owners have tried training with a behaviorist but they are worried about a possible safety risk as their son gets older. Dale's family has had him since he was a puppy. Dale is an indoor dog who is crated; he is house-broken and leash-trained. He has had basic obedience training and knows commands, sit, stay, come, and careful (which is used for “slow down because you may run into something.”) He has also taken two reactive dog classes. Dale is good with men and women and male and female dogs. The family also has a female terrier mix and she and Dale generally get along well. Dale is not protective of toys, treats or food. However he is fear-aggressive and there was an incident last year when he got scared by a little girl and nipped at her foot. It did not break the skin and Dale's owner writes it happened “because the adults weren't paying close enough attention.” Dale also gets into fights with the family's female dog, Penny, and this Spring, Penny attacked Dale and in the ensuing fight Dale bit Penny on the elbow and it broke the skin. Because of these incidents, Dale's owner feels he would do best in a quieter environment without small children or other animals. Dale's owner writes, “Dale has his issues but he does adjust well. He has a wonderful personality that really endears him to people. People often have a hard time believing he is blind because he moves around so well and he's very trusting walking with others on a leash and even running.” She wants us to know that this is a heart-breaking decision for them but they want Dale to be happy and safe. She says they would be willing to take him back if a new home doesn't work out. They just don't want to see him put in a shelter or put down.