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Adoptable: Philly

Age: 2 years old

Gender: Male

Breed: Poodle

Weight: 59 lbs

Personality: Very active, energetic and has a big personality with a bigger heart! He is looking for calmness, enrichment and structure.

Education: Uses turf for bathroom, and working on getting better on the leash. He is in training school, and wants to get better.

Favorite Activities: Playing, napping, chew toys. Loves chasing bubbles. Prefers to be with people all of the time and doesn't like to be left alone. Loves playing fetch.

Looking for: Philly is a good boy and needs direction, activity and enrichment. He wants training to be good with situations. He is very loving and will do best in either an adults only home or with much older and calmer kids who can handle his excited energy.

Special needs: Needs training, structure and enrichment.

Adoption Fee: $ 350

Hi there! My name is Philly and I’m a 2-year-old, 59-pound male neutered Poodle (yep, 100% according to my DNA test, even though I definitely have a doodle vibe). I don’t shed, I’m potty trained (I use a turf pad outside, super convenient!), and I’m crate trained… although I usually sleep on my cozy dog bed in the living room.

I’m a smart, energetic, sweet guy with a big personality and even bigger heart. I love being around my humans and really don’t like being left alone for long — I’ll whimper a little but then I usually settle down and take a nap. Midday naps are kind of my thing. I also love chasing bubbles, playing fetch, and being where the action is.

I’ve had some ear issues in the past that made me super uncomfortable, but after trying different diets and meds, things started clearing up once I was fully switched to a vegetarian diet, specifically Natural Balance Vegetarian Recipe. I even started allergy shots, but the vet says I might not need them anymore since my ears are looking good! Now, I’ll be real with you, I have a hard time with grooming. Like, a really hard time. I’ve bitten multiple groomers (even with medication and a muzzle), though I let my family brush my fur and teeth at home without a fuss. It’s one of those mysteries we haven’t solved yet, but sedation might be necessary for full grooming.

When it comes to training, I’ve done a ton! I completed three full-day 1:1 sessions with a pro trainer and went to group classes every Saturday. I know all the basics: sit, come, off, back, and release. I walk on a leash and follow door routines (sit, walk, come, sit again), though I still get very excited when I see people or other dogs, I’ll pull and bark, even though I’m trying to be good. Speaking of barking… yeah, I bark. If someone walks by our house (front or back), if another dog barks, or sometimes just because I see or hear something. I have sharp eyes and ears, nothing gets by me! I wonder if that can be solved by management, by putting visual barriers. We can try!

I love people, maybe even more than dogs, but I’m still working on my social skills. I get super excited around other pups but sometimes don’t pick up on their cues. At the dog park, I’ll often go say hi to the humans instead. I’ve never lived with another dog, but I think I’d enjoy a companion, especially one who can help me learn better dog-to-dog behavior. Now, about kids. I’ve always been gentle with the baby, but I’ve struggled with the older daughter. It’s not mean, just excited or playful, but my excited behavior. Because of that, I think I’d do best in a home without small kids, maybe older kids who understand my energy and can help train me would be okay.

I’m a lover, a goofball, and yes — a bit of a project. But I have so much potential. I need an active family who’s around most of the time and is committed to continuing my training and helping me feel confident and calm. I’ll reward you with snuggles, loyalty, and lots of laughs. If you’re looking for a loyal companion with big feelings and a bigger heart, I just might be your guy. My adoption fee is $350 and that includes spaying/neutering, shots, and microchip. If you want to take me home, please fill out the form on the website here: https://theanimalpad.org/adoption-application/

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