sailor

Sailor is a Cairn Terrier mix who is equal parts fun, playful, smart, and cuddly! This moderately high-energy girl loves just about everything life has to offer—toys, bones, treats, food, people, and especially being part of the pack. Sailor can be cautious when she encounters something new or meets new people, and she does best when she's given the time and space to feel comfortable at her own pace. She isn't a dog who wants everyone in her space right away, and coming on too strong can make her feel unsure, but once Sailor realizes she's safe and begins to trust you, a whole new side of her comes out!

Sailor's affection is well worth the wait. She may need some time to warm up, and building that bond can't be rushed or forced, but the little dog waiting on the other side of that trust is something special. Once she feels comfortable, Sailor becomes a loving, snuggly companion who loves her people HARD. She also has plenty of hilarious little mannerisms that will keep you laughing and make you fall even more in love with her quirky personality. She just needs someone who understands that the best relationships take time to grow and who will let her decide when she's ready for that next step.

Although not required, Sailor would love a confident, patient, and playful canine companion who can show her the ropes and give her some good cues to follow. She enjoys the company of dogs who are kind, gentle, and playful, especially those who understand how to give her a little breathing room when she needs it. A respectful canine friend who can engage her in play without overwhelming her would be a wonderful match and help her continue building confidence. Sailor has also been attending doggy daycare, where she's been working on her manners, building confidence, and learning that new people and experiences aren't so scary after all. These positive experiences are helping her come out of her shell and discover that the world can be a fun and safe place!

This girl has plenty of energy, so an active family who can give her opportunities to run, play, learn, and explore will be important. She loves a good game of fetch and having a canine buddy to engage in zoomies with. A securely fenced yard is a must for Sailor, as she absolutely loves to run and can be a bit of an escape artist. She has discovered that an open door can be an invitation to adventure, so her family will need to be extra careful about securing doorways before opening them.

Sailor is still building her confidence on leash, which can make her feel nervous. She's much more comfortable having the freedom to move around in a safe, secure space, so she'll need a patient family willing to help her build positive associations with the leash at her own pace. Gentle encouragement, positive reinforcement, and consistency will help her learn that leash time doesn't have to be so scary. Plus, she's extremely food motivated, making training fun and rewarding!

In true Terrier fashion, Sailor has a voice and isn't afraid to use it! She can be vocal when new people come into the home or when something unfamiliar catches her attention. Some of this seems to come from uncertainty, so she'll benefit from continued positive experiences that will help her feel more secure in new situations. The good news is that she's pretty easily redirected and is an incredibly smart girl who is eager to learn.

Sailor is doing well with potty training when kept on a consistent schedule and given regular opportunities to go outside. She is also crate trained and keeps her crate clean. She is great with kids who respect her boundaries and loves being involved in whatever her people are doing.

When the zoomies are over? She turns into the sweetest cuddle bug. Once she feels safe with you, she loves snuggling with her humans and soaking up the sunshine in a cozy spot. This is the side of Sailor that makes all the patience worthwhile: the goofy, affectionate little dog who wants to be near her people has her own special ways of showing love. She somehow manages to make even the simplest moments entertaining.

Sailor may not be an instant best friend, but for someone willing to give her the time she needs, she has so much love to give. She needs a family that will respect her boundaries, celebrate her progress, and help her build confidence through patience, consistency, and understanding. In return, you'll quickly discover just how deeply this special girl can love.

Please note that some of our dogs are obtained from shelters, surrendered to our care, or released from breeders. Each animal's bio is based on our experience of the animal within our care, an educated guess based on physical characteristics, temperament and information shared. Each dog receives basic grooming when coming into rescue, but for some dogs they have not received grooming attention until recently and grooming may be required shortly after adoption. This will be at the adopter’s expense, so we encourage you to research the breed and be prepared for grooming expenses. Underdog cannot guarantee hypoallergenic or non-shedding qualities of any dogs in our rescue. Some of the animals come from situations where they are lacking experience in a home and confidence in humans. In turn, they require another companion dog and/or a fenced in yard in their forever home in order for them to feel safe. If you are interested in a particular dog whose bio states those needs and do not currently have them, please understand that your home might not be the right fit. Please use the filter on our Adoptable Dogs page to find the perfect match for your home.

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