Butternut

*In foster care in Tempe, Sydney*

Butternut came to Maggie’s as a private surrender with her sister, both girls are available for adoption separately. While they hadn’t seen much of the world they came from a multi dog house which included large breeds so have been well socialised in that regard. Butternut’s default around new people and dogs is to adopt low body posturing and appeasement licking, it’s been dubbed the butternut samba. Between the two she’s actually more assertive and will usually be the first to give new things a go. Miss Buttz is highly biddable, she picked up sit on day two as well as holding that position for delayed rewards, she was also the first to try the doggie door on her own (very clever girl).

Her colour would be called orange under breed standards but is better described as apricot or cream she will probably darken once her mature coat develops. She is good for grooming and can be handled in any area of her body including nail trims. Pomeranians don’t require brushing every day but at least twice a week detailed brushing to get into their double coat is non negotiable. In foster the sisters have been in pen training for separation and for nighttime. While they would vastly prefer to stay with humans they have done well, Butternut has shown some separation anxiety but it’s within reason for a puppy and mostly about her pushing boundaries. If going to a solo home this will be her first time completely alone so expect some adjustment. Butternut has started toilet training in foster and has really gotten the hang of things quickly waiting to go outside and confidently using a doggie door in no time at all. She’s still a baby though so needs a home willing to fine tune toilet training and engage in general obedience force free training which she will be absolutely delighted to take part in.

Top four things to know about the Pomeranian breed (besides the grooming)
- They are a vocal breed, training to not alert bark will be a must
- They are prone to dental disease so teeth brushing and vet visits to keep an eye out is essential
- They’re very smart and usually have a stubborn streak (if they think it’ll work)
- They have very high set tracheae and should only be walked using a harness to avoid strain and potential tracheae collapse

Like all Maggie's pets, Butternut is microchipped, desexed and vaccinated.

**We ask all people looking to adopt to fill in our adoption enquiry form at https://form.jotform.co/80677377750872. Please use this link rather than the 'Enquire' button on the pet's PetRescue profile.**

MY IDEAL HOME: Butternut will suit a variety of homes but we would really love to see her go to a home who loves engaging in training, this girl is a very fast learner and eager to please. Train with her and she’ll blow your mind and you’ll become fast friends because she lives for praise and belly rubs so many belly rubs. She would love a home with a yard or courtyard to explore but would also be suited to apartment life if an indoor toilet setup is made available. At first butternut will need someone to ease her into full time working hours (unless your a wfh family in which case heaven) over a period of a couple of weeks to ensure she doesn’t fret when you leave.

MY ENERGY LEVEL: Poms are a lively breed but they tend to dial into their humans activities. We estimate she will be 4-6kg full grown but daily outings of around 30-60 mins as a baseline for activity is recommended. She has only just started leash/harness training and this will be something to work on with her forever family along with building her confidence about the sights and sounds of the big world.

MY SUITABILITY TO CHILDREN: Butternut is a very open girl who will work to get in your good books however poms not do well with rough handling, she is also a bit fearful of being chased to be picked up so we recommend kids old enough to understand and respect this while she’s learning.

MY SUITABILITY TO CATS AND DOGS: Butternut has lived with small, medium and large dogs, we feel she would be happy as a solo dog or in a multi dog house. As her and her sister won’t be teeny tiny poms they are more structurally robust so could be a match for living with a breed larger than themselves (within reason). She’s never met a cat properly but given her small size and youth living with a cat could be a match as long as her home manages the introduction well as she will most likely make an attempt to give chase or throw puppy paws to get a reaction (and quickly learn that’s not cool).