Sergio is a 2-year-old Chihuahua mix with enormous ears, a little 16-pound body, and a personality that is beginning to emerge now that life is finally slowing down.
Sergio was one of the Whitmann 20, a large group of dogs removed from the same property and brought to county together. For Sergio, the sudden transition into a loud shelter full of unfamiliar people, sounds and handling was overwhelming. His response was largely to retreat, freeze and try to create distance when he felt frightened.
Underneath all that fear, though, Sergio was still paying attention. One of the quickest ways to get his interest was food: shelter staff described him as highly treat motivated, and he followed trails of hot dogs into unfamiliar spaces when given enough time and encouragement. When allowed to explore rather than being rushed, he walked around cautiously, watched what was happening around him and began making small choices to engage.
Sergio is the kind of dog who needs trust to come before expectations. He will do best with a patient person who can read his body language, let him approach at his own pace and use positive reinforcement to help him learn that people can be safe.
He has already lived closely alongside other dogs and spent his shelter stay kenneled and evaluated with one of his companions from the Whitmann group. Having familiar canine company appeared to be part of the world he understood during an otherwise enormous transition.
Sergio isn’t asking someone to make him brave overnight. He needs a quiet place to land, a predictable routine, good treats and a person willing to celebrate the seemingly tiny milestones: choosing to come closer, relaxing instead of retreating, following you into another room, or eventually deciding that being touched feels pretty good after all.
For someone who understands how special it is when a fearful dog finally decides, entirely on his own, “Okay. I trust you,” Sergio has the potential to be an incredibly rewarding little companion.
