Meet Dickens – A Gentle Soul Learning the Ropes of Family Life
Dickens is a sweet and sensitive pup who loves to snuggle and cuddle in bed or on a couch. He is still discovering the world around him. It’s clear that he wasn’t previously exposed to young children, but he’s adjusting beautifully to life with a toddler. While he was initially nervous around loud noises and sudden movements, he’s already showing great progress and has grown more comfortable every day.
Dickens is still gaining confidence with everyday experiences like being in the yard, going up and down stairs, staying home alone, and taking longer walks on a leash. With a little patience and consistency, he’ll thrive—he’s incredibly smart and eager to learn. He is on Prozac daily.
He gets along wonderfully with the two resident dogs in his foster home. He’s gentle with the older dog and enjoys playful romps with the younger one. When playtime gets a little too wild (hello, zoomies!), Dickens will politely “yap” to help regulate the energy—a charming little quirk that shows his calm and thoughtful nature.
Dickens is very attached to his people and loves being near them, often following you from room to room. He does experience some separation anxiety when left alone, which can lead to barking and whining. However, with a stable routine, ongoing training, and a patient family, we believe this can greatly improve over time.
He is house-trained, but there have been a couple of accidents when left alone during the transition period. We suspect this is more about adjusting to a new potty routine (especially shifting from leash walks to yard time) than a lack of training.
When it comes to kids, Dickens has done wonderfully with our 2-year-old—with slow, supervised introductions and plenty of positive reinforcement. He can be cautious around unfamiliar children, especially when leashed in the yard, and may bark or snarl when they approach. Because of this, Dickens would do best in a home with dog-savvy adults or families experienced in slow, respectful dog-child introductions.
Ideal Home for Dickens:
An experienced and patient family and if kids a present a willingness to be introduced slowly and guidance.
Dickens has a huge heart and so much love to give. He just needs a bit of time, understanding, and encouragement to become the confident, happy dog he’s meant to be.
