Shakespeare

This dog will be at the Palo Alto Pet Food Express on Saturday, February 7th from 12-3pm unless adopted prior to the event. To be considered for adoption, pls submit an application in advance.
Adoption fee: $700
Shakespeare is a 5 year old Morkie weighing about 11 pounds, with a non-shedding coat, an expressive little face, and a very funny grin that seems to appear just when you need it most. He is a gentle, thoughtful dog with a big heart who is learning that the world - and the people in it - can be safe and kind.
Shakespeare starts his day around 6:30 a.m. when he comes out of his crate and heads straight out for a quick potty break. After that, he enjoys a short burst of playtime that usually includes belly rubs and a game of catch for about ten minutes. Breakfast follows around 7:00-7:30 a.m., and then he settles into one of his favorite activities: lounging in his bed. His morning walk is usually between 8:00 and 8:30 a.m. and lasts about 15-30 minutes. Shakespeare prefers exploring and sniffing over long-distance walking, and he's still learning leash manners, so he does tend to pull a bit (though he doesn't weigh much so it's not an issue). When the weather is nice, he especially enjoys spending time in the backyard. Throughout the day, he's happy to lounge and relax, with a few short strolls or play sessions mixed in if his people are home. Dinner is around 5:30-6:00 p.m., followed by another short walk at about 7:30 p.m., and bedtime in his crate is between 10:00 and 10:30 p.m.
When Shakespeare first arrived at his foster home, he was understandably unsettled. He cried during transport and was overwhelmed at first, but once he arrived, his friendly nature quickly came through. He eagerly sought out attention, wanted pets, and explored his new surroundings. Early on, he made it clear that he had some sensitivities. He was uncomfortable being picked up and did not like certain areas of his body being touched, especially around his belly and sides, and he communicated this clearly with growling. He also showed resource guarding behaviors around food, toys, and when resting in his bed.
His foster family immediately began working patiently and thoughtfully with him, focusing on trust-building and positive reinforcement. Shakespeare is very food-motivated, which helped him make progress. With consistent training, his resource guarding around food has improved in just a short time. He has learned that people approaching his food bowl mean good things, not something to fear. However, Shakespeare still has ongoing behavioral needs that require patience and consistency. He can be moody and unpredictable, especially when resting or sleeping-he may growl or snap if disturbed, even at people he loves. He is still uncomfortable being picked up in certain situations, particularly at bedtime. He is missing some teeth, so bites typically don't break skin, but his warnings should always be respected. Toy guarding and guarding of resting spaces remain works in progress. His adopters should be prepared to enforce strict household rules and boundaries, including crate sleeping and restricted furniture access. His adopters will need to be experienced with dogs who have behavioral challenges and willing to continue working with a professional trainer.
Today, Shakespeare is a laid-back, easygoing little guy much of the time who enjoys both independence and affection. He is content relaxing in his bed on his own but is always happy to cuddle when invited and in the right mood. He is not a velcro dog and does not need to follow his people from room to room, but he enjoys spending time with everyone in the household. He would do best in an adults-only household who understand dog communication and respect a growl as a warning. He should never be disturbed when resting or sleeping. He does not favor one person over another and happily rotates his affection among family members.
Shakespeare is more of a couch potato than a high-energy dog, though he does enjoy short walks and games of catch. He does not chew, dig, or bark excessively. In fact, he rarely barks at all, except for the occasional squirrel sighting. He loves visitors and greets them happily, welcoming pets and attention without hesitation.
Great news: Shakespeare is now fully housetrained and even signals when he needs to go out! He is crate-trained and sleeps quietly through the night, though getting him into his crate at bedtime can be challenging as he prefers to sleep with his people. Because he can become protective of his sleeping space and may growl or snap if disturbed during the night, crate sleeping is safest for everyone. Rain is not his favorite, and he prefers potty breaks where he can stay dry.
Shakespeare would thrive in a home with an experienced dog owner who understands that trust is something built over time and is willing to continue gentle, positive training around boundaries and resource guarding, ideally with the support of a professional trainer. He loves being part of a household with multiple people and truly enjoys human company.
What makes Shakespeare special is his willingness to try, even after what appears to have been a difficult past. Despite needing time to fully let his guard down, he is eager to trust and clearly wants to connect. Beneath his cautious moments is a sweet, affectionate, loyal little dog who just wants to feel safe and loved. Shakespeare will need a patient, understanding home that can accept him as he is-moods and all-and give him the structure and respect he needs to thrive. Shakespeare is proof that patience and kindness can bring out the very best in a dog - and in return, he offers a truly special kind of companionship to the right family.