Snuggle Buddy

Our pretty Pepper has become quite the snuggle buddy! He has ventured away from the his lonely spot on the couch and laying right at our side. Here he is cuddling with Will on the couch. He is such a sweet boy!

Look at those awesome ears! I'm so happy that I get to pet them!

Yummy Carrot Chips!

Pepper loves treats and veggies are no exception! I got the puppies some delicious carrot chip treats and Pepper agreed, good dogs eat their veggies!

Bed time?

Pepper actually jumped into bed with us for the first time tonight! He wanted to cuddle! What a huge step for our shy guy!

Ladies Man

Here's Pepper and one of his foster sisters, Lucia. He is quite the ladies man.

Pet me please!

Pepper has really gotten comfortable with us! Not only have we been able to pet him, but he has been coming up to us and asking for loving! He's been snuggling on the couch with us and lays on our feet to keep them warm, which is great for me since I'm a Florida girl and fall is rolling in... 

Couch naps

Pepper hanging out on the couch with us and the pups. He is still uncomfortable with petting, but happy to lay on top of our feet on the couch and nose poke us in the butt. He's a silly boy.

Pretty Pepper

Pepper is such a handsome boy! I just can't stop smiling at his pretty face. He has been living with us for just over two weeks now and the progress is incredible! He is starting to poke us with his nose and we are sneaking in more pets and ear rubs. He is just a happy boy!

He has really taken to snuggling with the other pups on the couch and is no longer nervous when we walk by him or sit down. He has a new sense of security and trust, which is only getting stronger. So proud of our shy guy!

Chin Scratches

Pepper is such a handsome plott hound! He is starting to get more comfortable with petting and I was even able to scratch his chin today! 

Comfy Couch!

Pepper is really coming out of his shell this week! Tonight he jumped up on the couch to watch TV with us and the pups. Not only did he sit with us, but we were also able to sneak in some pets! Good boy Pepper!

Part of the Pack

Pepper really loves hanging out with his puppy pals! He also LOVES treats... as you can see by how intently he is looking at the camera here! 

Yesterday Pepper earned his backyard privileges and is now allowed to run around in the fenced backyard leash free. He is such a great boy! He goes right out, does his potty business, and runs right back to the door for his peanut butter biscuit.

Villainous Vacuum

Pepper met the vacuum yesterday. He was definitely not a fan and whined quietly as the scary, loud thing attacked all of the carpets in the house. Poor Pepper was a little nervous for most of our Monday cleaning spree, but today he is back to his usual self.

Pepper is still very shy and reserved, but growing more comfortable daily. He still isn't too sure about being petted, but Will and I are getting regular nose pokes and finger licks now. He's coming to us on his own terms and that is a big step.

Adoption Events with Friends

Pepper went to his first adoption event as our foster today and I must say that I am impressed with this shy boy! We decided his foster brother Apollo would tag along to give him some moral support and it made all of the difference for Pepper.

When we left the house to drive to the adoption event, Pepper was not very excited to get into the car. So we picked him up and set him next to Apollo. There was some drooling and nervous panting, but after a couple minutes he started to settle down and proceeded to poke his head in between the front seats, cheek to cheek with his buddy Apollo.

We arrived at the event and Pepper had some worried wrinkles on his face as all of the strangers approached to meet our beautiful boy. Pepper was still nervous and scared, but people were able to pet him and his gorgeous ears!

When the event was over, we headed back to the car and this time Pepper actually jumped in on his own. It seems that as long as Pepper has a puppy pal he can do anything! So proud of our brave hound boy!

Food time!

Pepper LOVES food time! He has become a good eater and really enjoys his kibble with canned goodness and some occasional spoonfuls of cottage cheese. Here he is getting all excited for dinner last night.

Walks with Pepper

Pepper is really gaining his confidence, especially with his foster brother Apollo at his side! He LOVES going on walks around the neighborhood. He isn't scared of the cars anymore and bravely walks by with his tail wagging. He is still not comfortable with strangers petting him, but he no longer cowers or tries to run away. Now, when people approach he just stands at my side and keeps an eye on them. Big steps for a shy guy and I am super proud of him!

Housetraining Success!

Pepper continues to impress with his fast housetraining success Other than some submissive pees here and there when putting on his leash, Pepper is already fully housetrained. He lets me know when he needs to go out with a little whine and has done great with a 30 foot training lead outside. He is quick to do his business and even leads me back to the door when he's done. He is such a good boy!

Antlers and Toys! Oh my!

Pepper is still very shy with us, but he is starting to get used to being in a home. He has come to love chewing on antlers and his new favorite toy is a little kong frog that our terrier Mamah has gladly loaned to him. I cannot express how adorable it is when he starts to gently nibble on his beloved squeaking froggie.

Potty Progress

Pepper has never lived in a home before, so housetraining is a new concept for this shy guy. We've been struggling a bit because Pepper is not used to being on a leash, let alone pottying while attached to one. This is really common with shy pups. They like to potty in privacy. I don't blame them really.

We've been taking Pepper outside on a 30 foot training lead after meals and every few hours so that he can have more space and gradually ease into being on a lead. He is starting to get more relaxed in the yard, but gusts of wind and dark evenings are still scary for him. This morning we had a HUGE breakthrough! Pepper peed outside! That is a great moment and now he seems to understand that we do our business outside. So only more progress to come!

Tail Wags!

Pepper couldn't wait to get out of his crate in the morning. He bolted out and proceeded to wag that big happy tail of his while he waited for breakfast with the other pups. He is still very nervous, but he is starting to like it here.

Pepper's First Night

Pepper has sniffed the den, found his favorite nap spots, enjoyed a tasty dinner, sampled some yummy treats, and become accustomed to wagging his tail whenever I say his name. Now if only I could get him relaxed enough to go potty...

Meeting Pepper

Pepper the Plott Hound arrived at LDCRF with his mother and sister in February 2011 from a rural shelter in West Virginia. The ladies got adopted quickly, but shy little Pepper is still looking for his home.

I met Pepper today on a rainy afternoon at the Fair Lakes Petsmart. The van pulled up and I peeked around the open back door anxious to meet my new foster. There was Pepper looking out from the safety of his crate with a worried face. I coaxed him out and we awkwardly walked towards the grass to take a few calming breathes.

As the event picked up, Pepper followed me while I did interviews with potential adopters. He sweetly leaned into my legs and hid his head behind my knee, patiently waiting through each interview as strangers gave him gentle pats on the head. It may not seem like a lot, but for a shy dog that is huge. Pepper started to relax a little as we weaved through the people and said hello to all of his friends from the ranch who were also looking for homes that day. Every now and then I'd catch him smiling with a little tail wag as we walked back and forth. He started to walk at my side rather than darting around. Pepper was trying his very best to be brave.

The adoption event came to an end and it was time to take Pepper and our little foster kittens home. (Yes, Pepper seems to do well with kitties!) Pepper followed me to the car like a good boy, then stood by as I opened the door and loaded the kittens. When it was his turn he looked at me as if to say, "You must be joking? I'm not jumping into that SUV lady..." So I picked up all 55lbs of him and in he went. After a few nervous circles, Pepper settled on a spot to lay down and smiled at me from between the seats, then away we went home to meet our pack of pups.

Pepper was not sure that he wanted to leave the car, so I scooped him up in my arms and gently set him down in the driveway. Once he was on the ground, Pepper cautiously followed me to the door where he was greeted by our dogs - a bossy JRT, a shy shepherd, and a goofy pit bull. Pepper was submissive, but friendly with all of the dogs. He was an easy addition to the pack and they all instantly accepted him. He wandered around the den sniffing all of the corners and inspecting the stairs until he found a spot on the rug to settle in and take a nap.

Pepper is still a shy boy, but I am confident that each day he will get a little more comfortable. He is a sweetheart and I can't wait for him to shine.