Please welcome BellaLuna to the Available Page! BellaLuna’s previous owner sadly came to the decision to surrender her to FBRN when she bit their new puppy, a bite that resulted in a vet visit. BellaLuna had a history of attacking the resident dogs (but never with a bite this serious), and her previous owner felt that she would be better suited to another home. Because of BellaLuna’s bite history, she will need to be placed in a home where she is the only pet.

In foster care, BellaLuna has been introduced to the idea that she is not the one in charge, as her foster family has observed that this is probably one of the sources of her dominant behavior. BellaLuna was much loved in her previous home, but it does not seem as though she had the boundaries or rules to regulate her behavior. BellaLuna benefits from strong leadership, patience, and gentle re-training methods. She does not respond well to harsh or frustrated authority. BellaLuna is learning to follow commands and is practicing obedience, and is rewarded with treats (she is very treat-motivated!) She wants to do well, and needs the rules to be patiently reinforced as she adapts to calmer behavior.

BellaLuna "nipped" at her foster dad several times when she was startled by him walking into the room, but did not break the skin. BellaLuna will often run away from her foster dad without provocation, but immediately following her flight will come up to him and want him to pet her. Her foster dad is very calm and quiet, and this behavior has puzzled her foster family a little. BellaLuna's forever family will need to be patient and understanding as she adapts to men; BellaLuna has not shown this behavior with her foster mom or with the kids. She adores kids and has much fun with the 10 and 12 year-olds in her foster home. BellaLuna has done great with kids of all ages, and gentle kids over 8 would make great pals for her.

A chaotic and noisy urban life would not suit BellaLuna. She'd prefer a home on a quiet street, and please, a fenced yard! BellaLuna’s jumping skills will need to be monitored as she could easily escape. She can jump over the x-pen, and was even known to jump on top of her previous owners’ kitchen table. While in foster care, BellaLuna bolted out the front door and ran (she didn’t come when she was called, but fortunately she did respond to the treats.)

The best home for BellaLuna would be where she can be with her owners most of the time. She needs an owner who works from home or who is home for most of the day. If potential adopters work in a relatively safe and controlled environment, BellaLuna would make a good office mate. She should not be crated for long periods, as it triggers her anxiety, and has led to her anxiously chewing up her blankets. Though BellaLuna does not like her crate, her foster family has made progress in crate-training her, and she now sleeps in her crate throughout the night (the crate is kept her foster parents’ bedroom.) BellaLuna is not the type of pet who adjusts easily to being home alone for longer periods; a mid-day dog walk or break won’t suit her. BellaLuna is the kind of Frenchie who thrives with companionship, and belongs in a home that can offer her that.

Health wise, BellaLuna suffers from some mild allergies, and sometimes experiences itchy skin and inflammation in her ears. Her mild allergies can be treated with weekly eardrops and the occasional Benadryl when needed. BellaLuna receives a monthly flea control, and she'll need to continue her premium wheat-free diet to keep the itchies at bay. BellaLuna also had a tumor removed from her lip and underarm. Thankfully, the lab results showed that it was not full blown cancer; her condition was classified as borderline. BellaLuna will need to be checked and monitored for any new lumps, and of course be treated immediately if any are found.

First-time Frenchie owners would be okay, and preferably, her new owners will have some experience with dog training behavior so they can watch for signs of her dominant behavior. BellaLuna learns and benefits when her negative behaviors can be immediately recognized, and gently, but firmly corrected. BellaLuna’s foster mom recommends her forever home monitor her introduction to new situations. BellaLuna has done very well with the dogs in her foster home; under the guidance of her foster family’s strong leadership, there have been no problems. But given BellaLuna’s history, these extra precautions are necessary, and she should be the only pet in her forever home.

Her foster mom has this to say about her:

“BellaLuna is a very sweet and affectionate dog who loves to be with her people. She has a good mix of the normal active level and then she can be calm and lazy too. She does not need serious exercise, but regular walks are always nice for any dog to get their energy out. BellaLuna loves to play fetch and she enjoys her Nylabones. BellaLuna needs a strong pack leader, one who will show her the rules on how to properly behave as a normal, well balanced dog, and not one that has to be in charge.”

BellaLuna is learning new rules and enjoying yummy rewards in Northern Oregon. She’d gladly travel to her new home in a car, but will not be shipped.

Apply for me here!