Critter Details

See Phillip’s HomepageGo to our official websiteYou can fill out an adoption application online on our official website. Thank you for stopping by to see me!  Please fill out an application to set up  a private meeting.    Hey there, I'm Phillip, your potential new best buddy! Let me tell you a little about myself. At home, I'm all about love and cuddles. I'm sweet, eager to please, and always up for some quality couch time while we watch TV together. I might startle easily at sudden noises, but I'm getting better at adjusting to new sounds and situations. And guess what? I'm a total foodie! Treats are my jam, especially if you're tossing them for me to chase. Now, when it comes to outdoor adventures, I'm slowly but surely gaining confidence. Short walks around the neighborhood are becoming more enjoyable, and I'm getting the hang of this whole leash thing. I do require a fenced yard in my forever home, a yard would be perfect for me to have the freedom to do zoomies and sniff all the wonderful outside things. I only want to be outside when you’re with me though; I love being in the backyard with my foster mom but am even happier when we go back inside. I have been good with dogs both big and small that I have encountered. If there is another dog in my forever home, a calm and low-energy companion would be best.  When I first got to my foster home, I startle barked quite a bit (I would sit watching out the storm door and, for example, see bikes go by…and just didn’t know what to think!). I have gotten MUCH better and now don’t startle bark much at all; in fact, I don’t really bark much…foster mom thinks that as I’ve settled in and become more confident, I don’t feel alarmed as often. I will still occasionally startle bark, but now when I do I self-regulate and go to foster mom for praise and a treat. I have also learned that “enough” means to stop barking and go to foster mom for praise and a treat. I am very intelligent and try very hard to be good, I just don’t always know what that is; once you show me and help me understand, I want to be good for you all the time. I need a kind, gentle, understanding adopter who will use positive reinforcement to help me continue to learn and feel confident. I am very easy to live with! I’m quiet and easy going and when my foster mom is teleworking I like to lay in my bed and sleep or entertain myself with toys. I have even become brave enough to play tug with my foster mom – I win most of the time – hee hee! In the evening I lay by my foster mom – nothing makes me happier than being near my person. I am also very good in both my crate and in the indoor kennel run at my foster home. My foster mom takes me for a little walk most mornings and I LOVE it – we go up and down the street and, over time, have been able to go a little bit farther and a little bit farther. At first I didn’t know WHAT to think when we saw walkers or joggers or other people walking dogs, but now I’m getting used to it because we make a game of it – we might go up a driveway a little ways and play a treat toss game and I think that’s lots of fun. I am still getting used to things, and might startle at loud cars, but I know I will get used to all of that over time. We have also gone to a nearby park (it’s a pretty busy park) and we just park and sit in the vehicle with the windows down for a while so I can observe things. I have gotten out of the car at the park but sometimes find it overwhelming and am glad foster mom leaves the back hatch up so I can jump back in when I get scared. Eventually I think I will like the park, but it will take time. I like going for rides in the car and am always excited to go someplace. What else can I say about myself? Did I mention I'm smart? I'm eager to learn new tricks and skills, so if you're up for some training sessions, count me in! We are learning to play fetch … well I’m learning, my people know how already. I love to chase toys, but sometimes act like a clown and forget to bring them back. Some of my other favorite things are dog puzzles – I am a very smart boy and love activities that keep my mind busy! Overall, I'm just a charming, loving, and smart fella who's on the lookout for his perfect match. If you're seeking a loyal companion who's equal parts cuddly and playful, then look no further—I'm your guy! *Please note that some of our dogs are obtained from shelters, surrendered to our care, or released from breeders. Each animal's bio is based on our experience of the animal within our care, an educated guess based on physical characteristics, temperament and information shared. Each dog receives basic grooming when coming into rescue, but for some dogs they have not received grooming attention until recently and grooming may be required shortly after adoption. This will be at the adopter’s expense, so we encourage you to research the breed and be prepared for grooming expenses. Underdog cannot guarantee hypoallergenic or non-shedding qualities of any dogs in our rescue. Some of the animals come from situations where they are lacking experience in a home and confidence in humans. In turn, they require another companion dog and/or a fenced in yard in their forever home in order for them to feel safe. If you are interested in a particular dog whose bio states those needs and do not currently have them, please understand that your home might not be the right fit. Please use the filter on our Adoptable Dogs page to find the perfect match for your home.    ***Be sure to check your spam/junk folder as sometimes our emails end up there***If you have other questions about me you can email Underdog Rescue at <inquiries@underdogrescuemn.com> ADOPTION EVENTS:      Adoption events are updated at the top of each dogs animals' as their foster home signs up. Check back for updates on which events they will be attending. If an event is not listed within their bio above, the animal is not planning to attend.  Please understand that all of our pets are in volunteer foster homes and sometimes "life" happens and the foster family cannot make it to their scheduled adoption event. If you are traveling from a far distance to meet a specific animal, please understand we cannot guarantee event attendance. We recommend filling out an application and we will set up a private appointment. Private appointments are only scheduled after an application is submitted and approved. ADOPTION PROCEDURE: The first step in our process is to complete an online adoption application on our website: http://www.underdogrescuemn.com/adoptionprocess/   Note: In most circumstances Underdog Rescue will only adopt within 60 miles of Minneapolis, MN.  All of our foster animals can be seen by appointment with an approved adoption application. Contact us at http://www.underdogrescuemn.com/contact-us/ if you have further questions. FOSTER CARE: All of our animals are fostered in individual homes or doggie daycare facilities. While they are in our care, they are part of our families and given lots of love. We work on training, crate-training and socialization prior to adoption, but each bio is written by the foster as they see them, in their home. Each animal's behavior is evaluated and we have a sense of its temperament and personality, but it cannot be guaranteed. We look for adopters who will give each animal the wonderful life and permanent home that he or she deserves in time and with patience.  If you have an interest and ability to be a foster home, please visit our website  www.underdogrescuemn.com/foster-applications  and fill out a foster application. NUTRITION: Nutrition is vital to the rehabilitation and life-long health of our pets.  All of our foster animals are fed a premium diet such as NutriSource, Canidae, Orijen, Nature's Variety, Fromm, Pure Vita, Stella and Chewy's, Primal, or balanced raw diet.  All adopters are required to continue providing premium diets for the life of the animal. YOU CAN HELP: Not able to foster or adopt right now? Please consider sponsoring an Underdog. Your donation will help us buy dog food and pay for medical costs. Visit this link  www.underdogrescuemn.com/donate   to donate.  (Please note: A Paypal account is not necessary to use Paypal. When you get to the Paypal page, just use the link to the left of their login to make your donation via Paypal without an account.)