Puzzle

Meet Puzzle.

Puzzle is a handsome 2 to 3-year-old, 23lb. boy who is looking for someone special to help him put all the pieces together. Puzzle came into rescue as an underweight stray, so we don't know much about his past, but he's been showing us more of his sweet personality every day. Puzzle is a medium-to-low-energy guy who enjoys a good balance of playtime and relaxation. He's affectionate, enjoys head and neck scratches, and really just wants to be loved. He's house-trained, crate-trained, and sleeps through the night.

Puzzle does great on a leash and knows exactly what his harness and leash mean. He's always ready to get dressed for an adventure. He also absolutely LOVES car rides and is a fantastic passenger.

Puzzle is dog-friendly but does best with slow, proper introductions to new canine friends. He also needs a little time to warm up to unfamiliar people, including children. If the home has kids, they must be older and respectful of Puzzle's need to slowly integrate into the family before any pressure is put on him. Once he feels comfortable and secure, his sweet personality begins to shine. His experience with cats is unknown.

Puzzle loves playing with toys, but he does have a tendency to guard them from other dogs, so supervised playtime and keeping toys separate when necessary are important. He also does best when fed separately from other dogs.

One thing to know about Puzzle is that he may display some barrier reactivity, sometimes growling or lunging when other dogs approach while he is in his crate. Outside of his crate, he does well with other dogs when given proper introductions. Puzzle would do best with a patient, understanding family who will give him the time and space he needs to build trust and confidence. With consistency, positive reinforcement, and lots of love (and treats), this sweet boy has so much potential.

Despite his uncertain beginnings, Puzzle is a resilient little guy who has so much love to give. He's learning what it means to feel safe, comfortable, and cared for. He just needs someone willing to understand him, respect his boundaries, and give him the forever home he deserves. With patience, consistency, and love, he has so much potential to become an amazing companion. We are requiring a secure fenced yard for him. Could you be the missing piece to Puzzle's forever home? If you live in the Central Florida/Orlando area and believe you have the perfect home for Puzzle, complete an app and tell us more about you.