Xena

Hi, I’m Xena! I landed in a shelter when someone said they found me wandering alone, and no one ever came to claim me. The shelter reached out to the Indiana Bulldog Rescue for help, a nice lady came to pick me up, we went for a car ride, and I soon found myself living in a foster home. It’s enough to make a girl’s head spin.

I was a little shy and quiet at first because I was nervous, but my personality has blossomed as I’ve become more comfortable and confident. I love to play, chew on bones, and love toys that involve food/treats! I am still working on understanding social cues from other dogs and people. I tend to get really excited and want to play rough, jump, and bark to show my enthusiasm. I would definitely benefit from some basic obedience training and will need slow introductions and lots of patience as I learn. The good news, though, is I am very food motivated and eager to do whatever it takes to get delicious snacks!  

Speaking of food, I tend to get a little dramatic at meal times. Foster mom says I act like I’ve never seen food in my life before and may never see it again. A girl can’t help her emotions when she’s hangry though! I have something called a “slow feeder bowl” because apparently I was inhaling my food at lightning speed. I have proven to be somewhat protective of my meals too, letting out a low growl when someone reaches toward me while I’m eating. For this reason, I am getting fed in my crate or in a separate area by myself.  I’m learning that when I potty outside I get a cookie, but sometimes I get so excited I try to chomp it.

I love being outside (as long as the weather is nice), sniffing and playing in the yard. I am working on my leash manners, but right now I do tend to pull and want to go really fast on walks to see all the sights. It would be great if my forever home had a fenced yard to do zoomies, explore, chase balls (but don’t expect me to return them), and relax in the shade. If I don’t have a fenced yard, I would do best on a harness and leash at all times because I can move very fast for my short little legs and am not currently very good with recall.

Regarding my girlish figure, the doctor says I need to stay trim and fit because one of my back knees has a luxating patella. Too much weight could cause issues with my mobility. Foster mom gives me joint supplements to help, as well.

My main goal in life is to be with my people all the time, doing whatever they’re doing! I truly believe I’m a great helper with things around the house like cleaning, laundry, and yard work, although my foster mom says I’m just nosy. Hmph. I can be pushy when I want attention and think it’s a fun game to put my mouth on hands sometimes when I’m being petted or push against you really hard when I’m sitting on the furniture. Due to my silly quirks, I’d do best in a home with older children who have learned how to interact with dogs and can participate in my continued behavior education.

I’ve also shown some barrier guarding tendencies with baby gates/fences and unfamiliar people. I think I need to be protective and scare off strangers with my big bark! I do best in a crate if my people have to leave, because I have shown a few minor destructive behaviors when I was bored or frustrated. There *may* have been a bed that somehow exploded, a book that seems to have gotten teeth marks in it, a shoe that was relocated to under the dining table, and a few other really very small incidents. Hardly worth mentioning, I think.

As far as other fur family members go, I seem to do best with dogs that can match my energy and/or are very submissive and laid back. I can be a little too forward in face-to-face meetings, wanting to immediately engage in rough play even if the other dog does not and tries to warn me. Getting spayed has helped a bit, but I will also need continued work on my manners and slow introductions to any other dogs. I have not been around cats yet, so I don’t know if I’d like them. I’d be totally fine with being your one and only center of attention, too.

Foster mom says it’s officially time for me to accept applications for my forever family, so if you think that I might be a good fit for you, please contact Indiana Bulldog Rescue today!