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Health & Fitness

Blog: Lovable Little Linus

Linus is a sweet, playful American Bulldog mix with a big, infectious smile. He's deaf, but has learned other ways to communicate, and is looking for a committed family to give him a loving home.

 

Hey guys! My name is Linus and I am one sweet, playful pup with a big, infectious smile. I’m a little over a year old and weigh 40 pounds, and I’m still full of puppy energy and curiosity. Mutts Matter thinks I may be an American Bulldog or Terrier mix, but I’m taller and thinner than most bully breeds and an amazing, fast runner too. I was named Linus after the famous Peanuts character because I like to carry my favorite blanket everywhere I go... I’m cute like that.

One thing you need to know about me is that I’m hearing impaired, so I communicate with you a little differently than other dogs. I lucked out and got a GREAT foster dad who not only loves me, but is a trainer who has worked with hearing impaired dogs and even has a deaf pup of his own. He gets me! I’ve been trained on a vibrating collar so that we can communicate without sound. I’m quite smart, learn quickly, and actually have better recall than most dogs.

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In addition to my collar training, I also know some hand signal commands like “sit” and “down.” I’m fully potty-trained, crate-trained, walk well on a leash, and get along great with other dogs. I’m currently living with six other dogs in my foster home, so having another buddy to run and play with would be ideal for me. Cats... not so much. Basically, I’m a very social, affectionate pup, so I need interaction, stimulation, and to be around my family too.

 Because I am a young, high-energy pup with special communication needs, I will need a diligent owner who is committed to continuing my training and dedicated to a consistent exercise regimen. Mutts Matter thinks I would do best in a home with a fenced yard where I can run and play freely. I’m probably not a good fit for a family with toddlers, as they won't know how to communicate with me, but older kids are great, and just another family member for me to love and play with. 

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I’m not the first hearing-impaired pup Mutts Matter has rescued. One of my predecessors, , was featured in the Patch and adopted by a Patch reader! Sunday was also trained by my foster dad, Drew, and is currently living the life in Vienna with a family who truly loves her and says she is “fantastic!” She has a huge back yard that she shares with the neighbor dog and they are best friends. She also lives with two great kids that she adores and follows everywhere. I’m really happy for Sunday and she is a great example of how special pups like me can fit into your family. Now it’s my turn!

Whoever is lucky enough to adopt me will get a free training session with my foster dad and trainer, Drew Sandberg. He has a broad training background and works with both hearing and deaf pups like me to improve recall, teach “No” and “Stay” commands, and trains the pup to understand that being near their owner is safe and always the best place to be. Your commitment to training and learning how to work with me will help us communicate better, and live together in harmony. Mutts Matter is fortunate to work with some great local trainers like Drew who can help pups like Linus assimilate into normal life with their new family.

 

To learn more about me, go to the Mutts Matter Adoption Page and fill out an application, OR if you have questions about me or my training, you can contact Suzanne at suzanne@muttsmatterrescue.com

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