Update 1.27.23

Silly Yuu has decided that there is no stick too big for him to try and run around with! He will dig them right out of the snow and then run rings around everyone with sticks longer then he is. 

He will LOVE going with you to a park for hiking adventures or even to meet with other friendly dogs that you already know.  But skip the public dog parks with this boy. Too many dogs can overwhelm him, making him defensive since Yuu is already very shy by nature. Meeting random dogs in an unstructured setting is only going to stress him out and could cause him to easily become negatively reactive to ALL other dogs. 

This sweet boy loves to race up and down steps (usually with a random sock in his mouth) and greatly enjoys playing fetch with toys, sticks and balls. He wants to know everything you are doing and will sometimes try and peek up onto the kitchen table so see if anything good is happening up there. But he very nicely puts his paws down again when 'off' is requested. 

Yuu greatly enjoys interacting with children also- but they will need to understand how to be gentle with dogs and respectful of their space. This pup does not want to be sat on by a toddler, chased by a 4 year old or wrestled with by a rambunctious 5 year old. Face tapping and wrestling will scare him. That is just not his thing. 

He WOULD love to play fetch and ball and cuddle and learn some fun tricks with gentle older kids (ages 8 and up) who understand how to play nicely with dogs. 

Yuu would even enjoy some other fun dog buddies to play chase with! (Just be sure to watch him around high value bones and treats since this little guy isn't a huge fan of sharing those. He is much more comfortable enjoying them in a separate room or in a large crate where he can feel secure. ) Toys are fine as long as there are many of them scattered around and the other dogs don't mind sharing. 

Eventually, after all the fun, Yuu loves to happily settle into a nap on the floor (ideally, right by a heating vent) and wait patiently for the next interesting thing to happen. 

He just recently finished up a course of antibiotics for Cryptosporidum and is also on Metronidazole for having some looser stools then we like to see. He came in with Giardia and has been treated for that already. (Regular fecal checks are being done through a lab associated with our veterinarian so that we can stay on top of his health. (Along with having his normal vaccines and well visits. ) 

A new family for Yuu will also need to be excited about helping him to be the healthiest boy that he can be. This could mean a few extra vet visits or medications, adding regular pro-biotics to his diet and/or changing his food around until everything is where it should be. 

Of course, none of this has slowed this boy down at all! He enjoys his meals (given in puzzle or treat toys that he has to figure out), is gaining weight nicely and is still his usual, fun, sweet **very** playful self. :)

So, if you're still looking for that fun new hiking buddy who loves being outside or want a smart, sweet guy to pillow talk with at night time, Yuu would love to come and join in!


Update 1.20.23

This little boy is so much fun!

We recently introduced Yuu to some agility equipment (tunnels, slides and wobbly balance boards) and he really enjoyed playing with them- jumping on them and darting around the through the tunnels. He even figured out how to run right up the slide (and then back down again). He is very athletic and loves to hop and jump and run around and over obstacles chasing balls and toys. (And, yes, he will even bring them back! )


As soon as we let him out of his pen, he runs right over to each person to say hi- his whole back end wiggling in happiness. 

Yuu is also developing some very nice manners! He sits calmly at doors, walks very nicely on a leash with some verbal encouragement and responds beautifully to verbal redirection (as well as toys and treats). He will drop items that you request him and will often sit nicely and wait for you to release him to something like his dinner or a treat. 

Yuu does get a bit carsick, but he still loves to go on adventures and explore new environments. 

He will alert you to new things that he sees (for instance, a person walking by in the dark) but he is usually easily re-directed with a quick scatter of kibble. 

Families who are already familiar with (and love) beagles, pointers and hounds will also love our Yuu because he just such a happy, funny and smart little boy who just wants to please you and be by your side as much as he can!

Cats are still very exciting for him so careful intrudctions will need to be made if you have a kitty but he gets along very well with other playful pups. 


Update 1.2.23

Yuu met some friendly neighbors this weekend! At first, he was scared and  cautious, howling at them and backing away, but after a minute or two of being around them, he was crawling all over their laps, eager for attention and handing out kisses like they were going out of style. He met their (very calm) dog as well, but even though Yuu seemed very eager to play, we didn't have enough time to wait for him to calm down in order to say hi properly. But he sure did seem interested in making a new friend!

Yuu really just needs a family who understands initially cautious (but happy, loving and goofy) little dogs and  is willing to go slowly with him and help him learn that everything new is not always scary. 

He also loves to go on sniffy walks where he can smell all the wonderful smells of the world. Yuu responds wonderfully well to changing directions when he gets to the end of his leash an is doing so well re-directiing his attention back towards  you while walking. 

He is also doing great going potty outside and letting you know when he needs to go out. 

Update 12.31.22

This boy continues to be super lovey and cuddly. He absolutely loves being around people and one of his favorite things to do is grab a toy and then lounge on your lap while sharing it with you. Or, if you just want to give him belly rubs while he enjoys it, he's ok with that, too. :) 

Yuu would likely do best in a home where someone is around most of the time to keep him company- or who can take them with them out and about on daily adventures. When left alone, he does still have a tendency to howl very loudly in protest. (Living with a friendly dog buddy that he can cuddle and play with and who can keep him company may go a far way in helping him to remain calm when you do leave. )

We are working with him diligently on remaining calm in various scenarios and reinforcing the relaxation behaviors that he offers in his puppy pen (when he is independently laying down, sitting nicely, chewing on a toy or bone, watching us quietly) but it may take some time and dedication to encourage him to respond consistently. He just loves being close with people so much! 

Yuu also very much enjoys playing outside! He would make someone a great buddy for hiking or exploring since he walks very well on a looser leash most of the time, responds quickly to gentle leash pressure (on a back- clip harness) and enjoys sniffing all the interesting sniffs he can find. 

Yuu would probably enjoy his exploring the most in a 'less busy' area since many of the more urban elements around his foster home still tend to frighten him (busses, motorcycles, lots of cars, dogs and people going by). 

So if you are near some quieter nature trails or parks that he could explore that would be perfect! 

When frightened, Yuu will either run towards the scary thing while howling or he may try and dart/run away from it so you will need to make sure that you are with him anytime he is outside in a secure area or that he is wearing a very secure harness when walking him. 

We are having lots of success in mellowing this reaction by walking him quickly away from the new scary person or object and then re-approaching them slowly as long as he remains calm. He is such a friendly little boy and wants so much to say hi- he is just frightened.  

Yuu continues to do very well with potty training and will usually whine or bark to let you know that he needs to go out. He is also making great progress in learning to wait when requested and to sit nice and calmly for attention, petting and his meals.

Update 12.26.22

Yuu had a vet checkup appointment this afternoon. He did great on the car ride and charmed everyone at the office right away with his happy, friendly antics! He was so eager to say hi that he didn't even want to wait for his turn on the table. Instead, he jumped right up on a chair and (just like Tigger in Winnie The Pooh) would have hopped right onto the exam table, too if we hadn't intercepted his curious little self. He just wants to see what everyone is doing! 

(Looking for a pup who may really love agility classes? :) )

Yuu also loves playing in the snow and digging out frozen sticks and other fun icicles. He may be shivering from the cold, but all he wants to do is play, play, play- and then take a nap in your lap once he gets back inside.  

His ‘shy self’ of a few days ago is really starting to blossom into an outgoing, bouncy and curious personality that is just so much fun to hang out with. He still gives a good ‘yodel’ whenever he spots new or interesting things outside (mostly other dogs and people) but Yuu is doing great moving his attention onto us instead when requested. And, since he is very food motivated, he is a joy to work with, too!

Original Post: 

Yuu is a very sweet little beagle mix boy with super soft, silky ears and an extremely loving personality. They are brand new to our rescue and came from a very overcrowded shelter in West Virginia- turned in by a family who could not care for them. They haven’t been in foster long, but already we have discovered that they are doing great learning to go potty outside and love to cuddle, play with toys and run around having fun.

We don't know much about Yuu’s parents but we are thinking that they may be a mix of beagle and pointer based on the slight, yet short body structure and markings. So if you are looking for a food motivated, slightly independent, sweet and gentle little pup who is a little bit shy at first but who also loves to play once they warm up then this little one may be a perfect match for your family! 

When you lean down to say 'hi'  this little boy may take a minute or two to approach. But use a soft voice and a bit of kibble and they will soon be climbing right into your lap to lick your face. Although they love hanging out with you inside, you may come in 2nd place to all the smells they find in the big wide world- at least initially. 

Although Yuu can be comfortable hanging out in a puppy playpen with an attached crate for naps and ‘down time’ they **really** adore attention and would much prefer being right by your side (or napping in your lap). They may need some gentle help to be able to settle happily in a space by themselves and will likely not do well if left alone- at least initially. 

Yuu enjoys meeting new people, so far, and makes friends quickly as long as they are gentle, speak softly and don’t overwhelm him with frantic activity, loud voices or rough play. They enjoy playing with other puppies, too, so long as the introduction is made slowly so that Yuu doesn't get overwhelmed. Once warmed up, they become a rollicking ball of fun who rolls around enthusiastically and loves to chew on their buddy’s toes and face. Shortly, they will be introduced to several other friendly neighborhood dogs of different sizes and ages but, for now, we have found him another playful pup who can be his temporary friend, wrestling buddy and fellow bumper car.  

When outside, Yuu is being encouraged to ignore and/or to calmly watch other dogs (animals and people) who may be close or walking by. (This is much easier said than done when you are a little hound dog who has been bred to happily sound the alarm when interesting things are nearby. But we are working on it! )

True to beagle/hound form, Yuu definitely has a voice and will give a god, loud 'beagle howl' when they get excited and any time anyone new approaches. 

They enjoy hanging out with the human kids and people (men and women) in their foster home and will usually trot right over for some petting and love. Often, they are happy to follow their favorite people around the house like… well, a puppy. 

 A fence is not required to adopt this sweety IF you have a very solid plan in mind to keep this boy active and busy. (Yuu ***loves *** to sniff the sniffs and a walk or two around the block every day will likely **not** be enough to keep them happy and healthy unless you plan to give him plenty of time to stop and smell the roses . . and the bushes . . . and the trees . . . and that rock over there. .) 

An active family who loves to spend time with and train their dogs (and who may enjoy participating in agility, scent work, rustic camping, hiking or other dog-inclusive sports) will have a wonderful time with Yuu! 

Have a dog already? Yuu could do great with a dog buddy to live and play with- just as long as they also get a whole lot of 'people time' in too. 

Yuu is a joy to work with! They pick up new skills quickly and are relatively /food/attention motivated. They also love running after squeaky toys!

They are currently working on their recall skills, walking with a looser leash, settling quietly when requested to, waiting for permission to go through doors and other basic manners.  

Yuu is doing great going potty outside- often completing their business very quickly with a prompt or two. They also are learning to sit nicely and wait for their food, keep 4 paws on the floor when they want attention, coming when called over and leaving things alone that they would prefer to eat (like dirty socks, legos and rocks).  Since everything is still very new to them, all of this training will likely take quite a bit of repetition and reinforcement for them to become consistent with. 

A family with calmer kids older than 8 will likely be the best fit for this little guy. (Remember- puppies come with their own needs and  can go through some pretty intense ‘Chewy periods’ that may be challenging to manage safely with smaller kids. With the time committment and training requirements they need it's almost always best to think of having a puppy as the same thing as having another toddler in the house. ) 

Living situations that come with any noise restrictions will not work for Yuu since- even though they are likely to be on the smaller side- they definitely have a conversational howl or two in them when excited.  

Apartments/townhouses may work, depending on the type, size and location but please keep in mind that Yuu is also a bit of a higher-energy pup who has a tendency to be very loud at times. 

Yuu will be coming to you from a foster home where they have been consistently worked with from day one using hand feeding techniques, treat balls with kibble inside and toys and training games that are designed to encourage puppies to work on self control and to use their minds, scent and problem solving skills. 

Consistent work is put in to encourage positive socialization and friendly adaptive skills. To the extent they are comfortable and able to handle it, the puppies are carefully exposed to the sights/sounds of a busy family household in a more urban environment. (This includes interacting with kids and people of all types, cats, small animals and backyard chickens. As appropriate, they are also carefully exposed to friendly neighborhood dogs and strangers, car rides, walking on different textures and surfaces and desensitized to many other busy environmental stimuli.))

Please note that our adoption process includes a vet reference check on any current or previous pets you may have (had), a home visit (either performed virtually or in-person) and a 'meet and greet'. There may also be some clarification questions sent for you to answer as well. (These are based on the information you provide in your original application.)

All these steps are to help ensure that our pups are placed into families that will be a good match for their individual needs.

HDDCR requires a spay/neuter contract by the adopter if puppies and kittens in our care are too young for sterilization. This is a form the adopter signs at the time of adoption, confirming that they will get the pet spayed/neutered by a certain date. We will hold a $50 deposit on top of the adoption fee until we receive proof from a veterinarian that the dog was spayed/neutered. The $50 deposit will then be returned to the adopter.​