Nicolette

Please read our dog bios carefully to be sure that the dog you are applying for suits your family and lifestyle. At Pound Dog Rescue, we believe in the benefits of post-adoption training for our dogs and their families. This allows for continued socialization, and learning and helps to create a well-mannered and balanced dog. Post-adoption training is a requirement in our adoption process.                                            

I am delighted to introduce Nicolette, a 6 year old, 11 pound Miniature Poodle.  Nicolette came to our rescue from a puppy mill where she had been bred for profit.  At first Nikki was a bit timid and fearful.  She panicked going through a doorway but after a week she had no difficulty.  It was something she’d never experienced before and was one of many firsts she would experience in her new life out of the puppy mill.  On our first short walk Nikki was  full of energy.  Nikki absolutely adores her walks and being outdoors.  

Nikki spent most of her first few days being my shadow, napping or sleeping in my lap.  She craves being petted and cuddled.  In the house she’s an absolute joy.  She’s doesn’t bark and spends her time curled up on one of her favourite beds while I’m busy elsewhere in the house.  She has become increasingly independent and doesn’t need to be in the same room with me.  She pops in to check on me every hour or so and then goes off on her own again.  Nikki tends to leave the room when the robot vacuum or regular vacuum is on and she’s not sure about the Swiffer dry mop yet.

Being outdoors is high on Nikki’s favourite places to be.  Although small she has a lot of energy and we start our day off walking for 45 minutes to an hour covering about 2.5 km.  She sets a fast pace and I need to do a fast trot to keep up until she stops to sniff or greet dogs and people.  Anyone interested in Nicolette needs to be fit and active and able to keep a good pace on a long walk.  This is not a casual stroll around the block type of dog; Nikki wants to move!!! Nikki adores meeting new people now she’s built up her confidence level.  She is usually very good on lead but gets excited and will tend to pull when she wants to get to meet and greet and get petted.  Nikki has successfully met with many dogs in my neighbourhood and shows no fear.  Her person needs to be very cautious about what dogs she is introduced too as she will happily meet every dogs and doesn’t know that some dogs are not dog friendly.  Best she learn to not have to greet every dog she sees and reserve her doggie socialization to those dogs her family knows and trusts are very friendly, gentle dogs. 

Nikki has also met my neighbours 2 cats with no issues.  On our walks Nikki will stop numerous times to roll around on the grass. It’s hard not to laugh at her antics.   She often gets herself tangled in her leash when she rolls but is getting better at untangling without my help.  Neighbours have commented on how happy Nikki is on our walks.  Her tail wags nonstop.  We go for another 3 or 4 shorter walks during the day for a total of about 5 km.  Nikki has no problems with cars and trucks going by.  She’s not fond of very loud vehicles and will shy away.   If she hears an unusual noise she stops for a moment and then moves on. Nikki enjoys being on a long line out in my garden.  Nikki observes the bunnies, squirrels and chipmunks but has no interest in chasing them. She likes to explore, lie down or roll in the shade on the cool grass while I work nearby.  She’s no longer concerned if I leave her sight but if I’m gone too long she comes to the end of her line and waits for me to come around the house so she can see me and get a tummy rub.  Nikki automatically sits when she comes into the house to have her leash removed.  It needs to be noted that as a mill dog, Nikki is a flight risk as you never know what noise will startle her and make her want to bolt.  She absolutely must be on leash or in a fully secure fenced area with no holes or gaps when she is outside.  Her people need to be very aware of this and ensure her safety at all times when outside. 

Nikki isn’t a picky eater but she only eats what is necessary for her.  She now eats 1 ½ to 2 full meals a day, morning and evening.  Nikki is not a food motivated dog and all training needs to be done with praise and pets. She is very affection motivated.   I haven’t found a commercial treat she likes but she adores chicken breast, cheddar cheese, egg.  I will put these treats in treat puzzles which she is getting very quick to solve.  She is a very smart little girl.  For training little bits of cheese or egg work best and should be what is brought with her to her obedience classes. 

Three weeks seems to have been her breakthrough time with me.   At this point I heard her first bark.  She doesn’t do it often but if she sees one of her dog friends in the distance she’ll give a couple of woofs to let them know she’s there for a meeting.  A couple of times she’s given one short woof on our early morning walk for no reason at all-just saying hello to a new day.

Nikki loves her morning routine.  Once she’s out of her crate and given a quick pet she skitters as fast as she can to the big dog bed in the living room and waits for me.  She rolls around excitedly until I get down with her for a gentle rough play and all over body rubs. Only when she’s had enough is she eager and ready for her morning walk.  Nikki adores our silly indoor game.  If I say “I’m going to get you” she skitters as fast as she  can around the house until she chooses to end the game by going to her big dog bed and squirming until I come and rub her body.

Nikki is one of the cuddliest dog I’ve ever met.  At night she’ll fall asleep on my chest for an hour or so while I watch tv.  She enjoys it when I try and share her bed.  She’ll maneuver her body so her head touches mine and she can lick me.  Any time I’m at her level on the floor she’s right there attempting to lick my hands or face and snuggling in for a cuddle.  It makes doing my yoga practice a bit of a hilarious challenge.

Recently I needed to be away for a longer than usual time and Nikki went to my neighbour’s for a playdate with their dog Lacey.  She certainly didn’t miss me.  She spent much of her visit being cuddled.  When I arrived she simply put her head up from the lap she was in and stayed there.  Her confidence and trust have grown steadily.

Nikki is crate trained but she needs to be carried or leash lead to go in.  She willingly goes in and is very quiet and settles quickly.  She sleeps soundly through the night and didn’t stir during a thunderstorm.

Nikki would do well in most homes.  She is suitable for pretty much all living arrangements as she is quiet and very adaptable.  She won’t do well in a big city though with lots of hustle and bustle around.  Having spent 6yrs in a barn she is still getting used to the world around her and has adjusted well to a quiet suburban living but inner city living will be too much of a jump right now.    She would like a quieter area with lots of greenspace and not a lot of bikes, skateboards whizzing by.   She will be great in an adult only home or one with kids over the age of 10yrs.  Because she is a flight risk she just isn’t suitable for a home with little children who won’t fully understand the need to be cautious around doors and ensure her safety.  Visiting children will be fine though as long as they are supervised with her. 

Nikki has been a joy to foster.  She’s 2 dogs in 1.  An energetic outdoor loving dog and an indoor super cuddler.  Ideally Nikki would enjoy a fenced in yard where she could explore and expend some of her energy but she would be fine as long as she could get lots of outdoor time and walks.  If you’re a family who would enjoy a cuddly little love bug indoors and an energetic walking companion, Nikki may just be the dog for you.