Meet Maverick! Maverick is a 6 month old Belgian Malinois mix puppy. He is bubbly and energetic, and is looking for a forever home in which he can thrive! Maverick might look familiar to you. He's the brother of two dogs we had recently had at the shelter, Felicity and Penelope. If you were hoping for a shot at them, then don't miss your second chance at getting one of these sweethearts! Maverick's owners were initially planning on keeping him, but an older dog they had did not like having a new puppy around. When Maverick came to us, he was pretty underweight, so we held him for a short while to help him bulk up a bit. He's doing much better, but his new home will need to continue monitoring his weight and making sure his needs are met. Maverick is going to be a big boy, so he will need plenty of food to ensure he keeps growing. Maverick was kept outdoors in his first home and wasn't very well socialized, so he hasn't made it very far in his training. He is not housebroken, and while he has easily picked up the few basic commands we've started teaching him here, he will definitely need more work. On some walks that he's been on, Maverick has been surprisingly good on a leash, and you can tell he's eager to learn. Belgian Malinois are known for being extremely athletic and intelligent, so Maverick needs someone that can work with him and make sure he stays stimulated. Belgian Malinois are not good fits for a household that isn't active. Maverick will require an owner that can work with him every day, ensuring he has the proper mental and physical stimulation to stay healthy. This is a breed that is known for its high intelligence and agility, which is why it's a favorite for military or police dogs. Maverick would not be a good apartment dog, as he's going to require more space than that. When these dogs get bored is when they get destructive, so please keep in mind that Maverick will need a healthy outlet for his energy. If you are someone that likes to stay active, then Maverick could be the perfect fit for you! Maverick has shown that he is not a fan of the kennel life. He is very anxious and will pace and bark almost the entire day. In a home setting, with a smaller sized kennel, this behavior is even worse. His anxiety goes through the roof if kenneled, and he will make it his priority to break out. Until he gets out of his destructive puppy phase and also becomes fully housebroken, most owners understandably would not want him to have free reign of the house while they are away. He really needs a home where the owner tends to be home most of the time or where he can spend the day in a large, securely fenced yard. Once you meet him outside of the kennel, though, he is a completely new dog. Maverick really is just a big ol' lovebug. He does get nervous if you run at him or grab him before he has a chance to know you, but once he trusts you, you will have a best friend for life! In his previous home, Maverick was bullied pretty hard by an older dog. We aren't sure how he would do living with another dog, and if that history will affect him moving forward. Due to this, we will require a meet and greet with any canines in the home to make sure Maverick would be a good fit. Due to his anxiety and overall energy levels, we will also not be adopting him out to a home with small children. Maverick has also only very briefly met cats, and we're not sure how he would do living with one full time, so we strongly recommend a meet and greet with them as well. Maverick had an unfortunate start to life, but he is ready to finally learn what love is and find a place to shine! He has received his first round of vaccinations and is eager to meet his forever family. If you think you could be a good fit for this sweet boy, come out and meet him today!
