Yorkie Haven Rescue staff believe there may have been a misunderstanding due to Webster’s nickname. Much like Dennis the Menace, he is an energetic, loving little guy with just a hint of mischief. With a little exercise and understanding, they know that his energy can be positively channeled!
Webster absolutely adores his foster home. He has furry friends to play with who have helped him learn how to be a proper dog. When he first arrived, he was considered unsocialized, but with patience and love, Webster has transformed into a wonderful companion. His foster mom often praises him, saying he’s a very good boy! While he would love to stay, she believes he would thrive in a more active home with humans who can match his energy. His two primary areas for improvement are housebreaking (but he’s fine with wearing a belly band) and his tendency to bark at the television.
Initially, Webster didn’t quite understand the joy of being cuddled and loved. Loud noises such as hair dryers and vacuums would unsettle him, but he has become much more desensitized to these sounds. Although he still isn’t fond of hair dryers, he enjoys being groomed and loves a good brushing!
He cherishes sitting on his foster mom’s lap and giving kisses—activities he has grown to love in his foster home. At first, he was shy about human contact, and crates frightened him. The rescue staff believe crates are not an option for his forever home, as he spent far too much time in one during his early days. His first family simply didn’t know how to socialize a puppy, but thankfully they found Yorkie Haven Rescue, which has set him on a path to a happy life!
Webster has also learned commands like “sit” and “shake hands.” His foster mom thinks he is exceptionally clever and believes he might even excel at agility training.
He needs a younger, active forever home where he can continue to flourish! If potential adopters are not glued to the TV and enjoy outdoor activities like walking or hiking, Webster may be the perfect match for them!
Webster AKA Dennis the Menace – Yes, he’s adorable—fluffy, handsome, and seemingly innocent, like a dog you can trust with your secrets. However, it’s important not to be deceived. Inside that charming black-and-tan package lies a whole lot of mischief!
It’s true that Webster has his moments, and there are plenty of reasons one might hesitate to adopt him. But on the flip side, he can also be an affectionate and adorable Yorkie, making a strong case for adoption! Yorkie Haven Rescue staff believe in full transparency to ensure the best match for each of their foster dogs. So, here’s the complete scoop on Webster, AKA Dennis.
Enjoy watching television in peace? That won’t happen with Webster around. He is incredibly intelligent and will sit and stare at the TV. If he hears a dog bark or anything that piques his interest, his loud alert will echo throughout the house, even from another room!
Do you have a crate or plan to crate train your next dog? Think again! Webster absolutely despises crates and will turn his frustration into a game of drag-the-crate. There isn’t a remedy available to change this behavior. He is perfectly fine if left loose in a room with a gate or free in the house.
Looking for a dog that’s past the destructive phase? Webster may not fit that bill just yet! He can be like having a toddler in the home—any paper left within reach will quickly become confetti as he happily runs off with it. He is food-motivated, making it easy to redirect his attention if needed!
Want a cozy movie-watching buddy? Sorry—not with Webster. He is a bundle of energy and needs another active dog in the home to play with, as well as active humans who enjoy going for walks, hikes, and sharing adventures.
Placing Webster with senior dogs may not be the best choice; he can be too playful and disruptive, often believing he’s being adorable. Currently, he wears a belly band since he still has a habit of leg-hiking. However, he is improving with housebreaking, using outdoor options or a pee pad. It’s important to remember that he is a curious little guy—if bored and left unattended outside, Webster might sneak away. He also needs supervision around open doors.
He loves playing fetch with squeaky toys and is gradually becoming more comfortable with grooming, although he still isn’t a fan of having the air dryer pointed at his face. He prefers finding a cozy chair or bed to snooze in rather than cuddling up during the night—though this may change with fewer dogs around!
Despite all of this, Webster has come a long way since joining his foster home. However, if potential adopters aren’t looking for a dog that will keep them on their toes—bringing both laughter and occasional tears—he might not be the right fit for them. Webster is incredibly loyal, smart, and fun, but as the staff has mentioned, he can be a bit of a rascal! It’s amusing how this dichotomy works, isn’t it?
After reading all of this, they don’t expect any potential adopters to rush to fill out an application. However, if someone shares their passion for dogs, embraces a challenge, and is on the lookout for a lifelong companion, they won’t hesitate to take the next step. Feel free to fill out that application—but consider yourself warned!
7/8/22 – Webster, also known as Merriam-Webster, has a name that comes from a dictionary. His rescue team often jokes that they wish his original humans had looked up the word “puppy” before bringing him home, so he wouldn’t be available for adoption right now. Here’s how he became a Yorkie Haven pup.
Webster was purchased when he was just one week old by an older couple who wanted a Yorkie puppy. As is often the case, they didn’t fully understand the commitment required to raise a puppy. Since he was the only dog in the house, he wasn’t socialized with other animals or many people, which turned him into a “Dennis the Menace” or a “bull in a china shop,” bursting with energy. His humans quickly grew frustrated with him and were overwhelmed by his natural puppy behavior. Since he became so distressed about being confined, it’s safe to say that Webster spent a significant amount of time in a crate as punishment for his energy. Thus, the rescue staff emphasizes: NO CRATES, PLEASE!
His foster mom believes he is just a little rough around the edges, and with some positive reinforcement, he could make a fantastic addition to a loving family. Webster’s sweet nature shines through when given the chance!
He is not housebroken yet and currently wears a belly band, which is quite handy. If he feels the urge to mark, nothing gets damaged—except for the belly band! lol
Webster loves playing fetch with squeaky toys and would thrive with another active dog to play with and learn from. He wouldn’t do well in a home with older dogs, as he can be overly playful, pawing at their faces and becoming a bit of a pest. He would also excel as an only pet if he has plenty to keep him busy and isn’t left alone for long periods; remember, he was given up due to a lack of an energy outlet. He enjoys starting his nights sleeping with his foster mom but often moves to a dog bed since it can get crowded up top.
He does well with baths but is not a fan of the hair dryer. His foster mom hopes he will grow more accustomed to it over time, and she suspects that offering treats during grooming might help speed up the process!
To close his story, Webster invites everyone to look up the word “lucky” in the Merriam-Webster Dictionary. The definitions include: 1. Having good luck; 2. Happening by chance; 3. Resulting in good by chance; AND, 4. SOMETHING YOU WILL BE IF YOU ADOPT WEBSTER! While he may have added that last one himself, the staff is confident that you’ll never know unless you decide to adopt him!