What’s Giblet been up to?
Giblet, our adorable deaf pup from the Thanksgiving Crew, is still out there stealing hearts—and keeping us on our toes! This little guy is equal parts snuggle bug and chaos gremlin… think Energizer Bunny meets angelic nap champion.
Giblet came from a hoarding situation where his deafness actually became his superpower. While the world around him was loud and overwhelming, he was able to tune it all out—and somehow held onto his happy, resilient spirit.
Since coming into our care, Giblet has been putting in the work. He’s been attending training classes and even spent time living with a trainer, making huge strides along the way. Thanks to Haven to Home sponsoring his training at A to Z Academy for Good Dogs, he’s built a strong foundation—and now he’s ready for a home of his very own!
So, what has he been learning?
Because Giblet can’t hear, he’s being trained using a vibration collar (not a shock collar). The vibration simply means “hey, check in with me!”—just like a hearing dog responding to their name. When he feels it and looks to his person, he gets rewarded with treats, praise, and all the good things.
Training focuses on helping him understand that the vibration is a positive cue. When he feels it and looks to his handler, he’s rewarded with treats and praise. In the videos below, Jessica is working with him at school, rewarding any interaction he offers after feeling the vibration. You may hear a beep in the video—that’s just so viewers know when the button is being pressed
The goal is to teach Giblet to “look” or “come” when prompted, giving his handler a clear way to get his attention—even when he’s focused on something else.
He’s also working on:
• Leash skills
• Basic obedience
• Crate training in a group setting
• Impulse control (like patiently waiting for meals—he’s getting there!)
Now, let’s talk personality…
Giblet is funny, spunky, and full of life. He loves to play—especially with dogs he knows and feels comfortable with—and once he gets going, watch out! This boy can run like the wind. Seriously… he is FAST. One of his favorite games is “catch me if you can,” and he fully commits to it every time.
He’s also incredibly snuggly with his person—and we mean his person. He bonds hard and loves deeply… but he can also be a bit of a resource guarder, meaning he may try to keep other people or dogs away when he’s decided you belong to him.
And toys? Well… in Giblet’s world, every toy was made specifically for him and only him. Sharing is not currently part of his life philosophy, so this is something his future home will need to continue working on with him.
Because of these behaviors, he’s looking for an experienced home that understands training and is committed to continuing his progress.
He does best with select, well-mannered dogs who will respect his space (and he’ll return the favor!). A home without children or cats is the best fit for him.
Giblet is also the kind of dog who wants to be part of your life. He would make a great companion for camping trips, relaxing outside with a drink, going for walks or runs, or just hanging out and enjoying a snack together (he would very much prefer if you shared!). Need a dog to go to work with you? He has the “uniform” look down—he just needs help polishing the manners to match. He is eager, adaptable, and truly up for whatever you throw his way.
He is a smart boy who devotes everything to his person.
A few more Giblet facts:
• Crate-trained
• House-trained
• Neutered & up-to-date on vaccines
• On monthly heartworm & flea prevention
• Will sleep through anything—seriously, don’t worry about noise (looks like a literal angel when sleeping…)
• …wakes up as a tiny, lovable menace
Giblet is looking for someone who sees his potential, embraces his quirks, and is excited to continue his journey. With the right person, he’s going to be an incredible companion.
Ready to meet your perfectly imperfect match?
Apply today or reach out to learn more.
Could you be the one to show Gibby that being different is pretty wonderful? ✨
