MOWGLI HAS A BITE HISTORY

Mowgli is ready to find his forever home, and we hope there’s a strong leader out there who will make him feel secure and loved. Mowgli’s most adorable characteristic is his oversized bat ears. Pictures don’t do him justice, as his adorable ears look like they belong on a 100 lb dog and not a Frenchie. They are exquisite and make him look like he jumped out of an animated movie!

The irony however, is that Mowgli has been deaf since birth, so those big Frenchie ears are purely decorative. We hope you continue to read on, as deaf dogs are managed only slightly differently than dogs that can hear. To compensate for his lack of hearing, Mowgli’s other senses are heightened and he is particularly attentive to his people.

This sweetheart was surrendered because city living was overwhelming for him, and it was difficult for him to just relax. Unfortunately, he has also bitten people on two different occasions. One was a bite to a hand and required stitches, the second was directed at someone who was raking and did not require stitches. His former owner felt that the bites were fear-based, and were very out of character as Mowgli is usually a loving dog who is happy to meet new people. In his foster home he has not had a negative reaction to vacuuming, sweeping, or other chores that resemble raking, so it’s not entirely clear why he felt threatened in that particular circumstance.

Mowgli is in good health. He has mild allergies, but they are managed with a grain-free diet, medicated wipes, and Benadryl when needed. At this time, he is showing no signs of allergies at all. He breathes well for a Frenchie, and enjoys going on long walks. As with most young dogs, he is also at his happiest and most relaxed after a good bit of exercise.

As with many deaf dogs, Mowgli is always aware of his person’s location. He is a snuggler! He likes to follow his person from room to room and is attentive when it comes to training. He knows the hand signals for sit, lie down, come, drop it, leave it, and a few others. He’s also housebroken and crate-trained.

Dog to dog relationships can be tenuous with this little guy. In his foster home he’s proven he can meet new dogs nicely, but a couple of weeks later he changed his mind about the resident dogs and now shows signs of a typical pushy dominant dog. He might do well with an easygoing female to show him the ropes in his new home. Please - no cats or birds.

Mowgli is looking for a home with an active person or couple so he can get plenty of exercise to help him relax. Due to his bite history, Mowgli cannot go to a home with children. He is not at all interested in big city life and hopes to find his place in a sleepy neighborhood somewhere. Due to being deaf, he requires a fenced yard so that he can race around safely. Ideally, he would love to have someone home most of the day, or to go to work with someone as long as the work environment is not too busy. More than anything, Mowgli needs a confident and kind leader that will show that s/he is in charge and let this little man finally relax.

Here’s a word from Mowgli’s foster mom:
"If you’ve never owned a deaf dog, don’t let that put you off. Remember, he was born deaf and doesn’t know any different. His other senses have compensated. I learned that there are only a few things to be aware of and provide. One must provide a very secure outdoor environment. If a deaf dog escapes from your yard, you can’t call him back. He must be looking at you for the recall signal. A well fitted and sturdy collar/harness is a must for walks. Never walk up behind/step over/startle a deaf dog (especially if they are sleeping) unless your footsteps can be felt. And keep it simple. You don’t have to learn ASL to communicate with a deaf dog. All it takes is about 5 hand signals. They can read your body language as well, if not better, than a hearing dog. Mowgli is very “tuned in”, so to speak. He’s an extremely sweet and responsive young dog. There is a fantastic connection like no other that develops between a deaf dog and his person. It’s a very rewarding experience, and Mowgli is deserving of a calmer life away from the hustle and bustle of a big city. Mowgli “signed” to me that his biggest wish is to exhale and kick up his heels in the grass far away from the concrete jungle!"

If you believe Mowgli may be the right fit for you, please apply for him. Be ready to pick him up in Connecticut because he will not be shipped.