Rio

**Before applying, please remember that adopting a puppy into your home is a huge commitment, and very demanding of your time. Puppies require daily exercise, positive and varied socialisation, grooming, training and playtime. When applying, please consider your work hours, holidays, and how busy your personal life is. Puppies will need someone who is home for most of the day with regular focused input, especially in those first six months after adoption **

PLEASE NOTE: This litter of pups had a difficult start and virtually no exposure to the world before coming into care with SAFE Esperance. They were very fearful and timid but have been slowly growing confidence whilst in our care. Therefore, adopters need to be aware that all the pups will need patience and gentle understanding while they settle into a new environment

NAME: Rio

BEFORE SAFE ESPERANCE: Came to SAFE Esperance as an owner surrender with his 5 siblings.

BREED:  Jack Russell x Chihuahua
BREED TRAITS: Jack Russells are lively, independent and clever. They are trainable but have a mind of their own and if bored can dig and chew. Terriers are devoted to their people, affectionate and love being with them so cannot be left for long periods. Careful and sensitive socialisation from a young age is a must as they are small dogs with big personalities.
Chihuahuas love to be with their people and are definitely companion dogs that do not like to be left alone. They are sensitive and can be aloof or wary of strangers and other dogs so early socialisation is very important. Chihuahuas cannot tolerate cold or hot weather so care re comfort is needed - they are not outside dogs. They are bright and wilful but will learn if you make it fun and although small, have big personalities. They are also fine boned and need to be handled with care.

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ASSETS: Affectionate, active, and playful. He is still quite timid generally but is slowly learning to trust.

FAVOURITE THINGS: Rio loves to play rough and tumble with his siblings and enjoys playing with whatever toy is around at the time. He is a typical puppy with bursts of energy where he plays for a while then settles down for a snooze before waking up and doing it all over again!   

ENDEARING FEATURES: Rio is a very sweet pup with a gorgeous face.

OTHER ANIMALS: Being a young puppy, he will get on well with other friendly dogs after gentle, supervised introductions. He could live with a dog-savvy, confident cat after gentle introduction, and is currently being fostered with cats with no reactivity.

GENERAL INFO: Rio will need training for pretty much everything being so young. He is now toileting outside during the day but does still have accidents at night. Expect accidents while he’s settling into his new home and routine!  He’ll benefit greatly from puppy school and ongoing classes into adulthood where he can mix with other small dogs, and this is a commitment we will expect from his new owner.  He will bark for attention and will dig in the garden if left alone for a period of time.

ESSENTIALS for Rio:  

** a loving home where someone is there for most of the day, essential in the first six months after adoption 
    
** a home where he is treated as part of the family and is allowed to be inside or out as he needs and to sleep inside at night
  
** a decent sized, well fenced garden where he can run, play, sniff and explore in safety

** attendance at puppy school and continued training into adulthood for him to learn and grow confidence – essential 

** continued positive, gentle exposure and socialisation

Rio will have bursts of energy while a pup and we envisage will be high energy at times as an adult dog.
 
Rio may be better suited to an adult only home that is quiet and calm, giving him time to settle and trust - once at home he will be the sweetest boy.
   
If Rio sounds like the perfect fit for your family, please send an enquiry and we’ll be in touch soon.

6 GREAT REASONS TO ADOPT FROM SAFE:

1. Lifetime Support: If you can no longer care for your adopted pet, please inform SAFE, and we will do our best to help you find a suitable solution.
2. Discounted airfares: if applicable
3. Adoption fee includes vet check, first vaccination, microchip and desexing
4. Foster care instead of cage confinement, ensuring lots of love and socialisation
5. Speak directly with my foster carer
6. Quick response to your enquiry

APPLY TO ADOPT ME

Am I the one you have been looking for? Click the link and fill out the application with as much detail as possible. The more information you provide, the easier the adoption process will be, hopefully bringing us together sooner!