Ruby

Ruby is a small Maltese mix, approximately 4–5 years old. We are not sure what he is mixed with, but he is a small dog.

Ruby can be quite fearful and nervous, and we believe he may have had some difficult experiences earlier in life. There is also a possibility that he spent a lot of time tied or leashed outside when he was younger, which may help explain his strong fear of leads and some of his nervous behaviour.

He can be territorial and may bark a lot, especially when he feels unsure or uncomfortable.

Ruby is not leash trained and is very frightened of leads. When a leash is put on him, he tends to freeze rather than walk, so he would need a very patient and gentle approach to leash training.

Ruby is affectionate and enjoys human attention. He will approach people himself for attention and especially likes head rubs. However, he can become nervous if he feels overwhelmed, so he is happiest when attention is given on his terms and his body language is respected.

He has been patient around children and has not shown a tendency to bite. However, because he can be nervous and somewhat unpredictable when frightened, interactions with children should always be supervised and calm.

Ruby does not seem bothered by cats, but he does not get along well with other dogs. He can become very reactive and aggressive around them, particularly in his own space. This is the main reason he is being rehomed, as there is now another small dog in the household and Ruby is not coping well with having another dog around.

Because of this, Ruby would likely be best suited to a home where he is the only dog. He would benefit from an experienced, patient owner who understands fearful or reactive dogs and can give him time, space and consistent boundaries. A quieter home may suit him best, where he can gradually build trust and receive gentle training.

to apply for Ruby, please fill out our Adoption Questionnaire