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RAYNA IS LOCATED IN OAKTON, VA.

 

Meet Rayna, a two-year-old Great Dane / Mastiff who was rescued from a PA shelter by MTM.

Likes: Rayna loves her woobies/plush toys, dog pillow, running/playing in yard and watching street traffic. She loves to run and play outside in the fenced yard at her foster home, go for walks to visit with the dog walking parade, and snuggling with her toys on her dog pillow.

Dislikes: Rayna's current dislikes are getting into cars. Right now, she’s still avoiding cars in the wide open and has to be lifted.

Personality: Rayna is WHOLE lot of goofy dog and knows it! She’s playful but not over the top with her energy and she just wants to be lubbed ❤️. Her default is to sit on her brakes and avoid whatever she’s doesn’t want to do or when I’m unfamiliar surroundings.  Give this love bug time and positive encouragement and she’ll tackle just about anything.  Rayna is motivated by affection, and I am sure with time her trust will be earned to tackle her remaining fears.  She does want approval over basic needs as she’ll come when called inside, even if she hasn’t done her business. 

Temperament: She’s a big puppy who wants to have fun and hear words of love… some fears/anxieties have shown but with time and positive reinforcement, she gets through them. She is startled relatively easily during walks by unexpected noises. If you pull on her leash, she pulls back - and will wiggle out of collars/harness.  The secret is patience and love. With both, Rayna wants to learn and be with her people.  

Energy level:   Rayna loves to run around and play outside…for all of about 10-15 minutes. She loves her mile and a half walk - gets really excited when she sees her harness and leash come out!  

Favorite activities: By far, Rayna's favorite pastimes involve her plushies, bones, playing outside with anyone (2 or 4 legged) and watching passersby dog walkers.

Good with small and large dogs, and kids (over 6)?  When introduced to new dogs, she almost immediately barks and goes into the “puppy bow pose” to play (assuming the other dog doesn’t show aggression- if they do, she looks away). After decompression and gradual introductions, Rayna easily adjusted to living with her schnoodle brother and her other foster Corso mix brother Ollie but will likely do best with a more laid-back canine personality who is young enough to puppy play. She loves visiting with neighborhood dogs, even if she can’t rough house with them. She downscales her energy (see videos), but most are puppies and owners have no XXL experience/faith their babies won’t be hurt.

Rayna has not been tested with cats, but she doesn’t show interest in chasing small critters in the yard or on walks. Rayna has been exposed to both younger and older kids and bumps hands for pets and loves chase with them.

Not good with:  Getting into cars, she's working on NOT grabbing socks & shoes from the laundry room and taking them to her dog pillow (or outside) to commence shredding and begging during mealtimes. 

Housetrained: Rayna barks and stares at you to go outside and will walk you to the backyard door to go outside. The only accidents were due to not picking up on her cues.

Crate trained: Yes! She’s learned to enjoy her crate and while she doesn’t voluntarily go into it when the door is open, she settles down inside for meals and when foster mom is working.  She doesn’t like being the only one in the crate, but if covered she settles down. It would be best if she has a bone/toy with her and it has an outside view to pass the time.  

Requires a fenced yard (physical fence and/or invisible fence)? Rayna enjoys playing in the fenced yard at her foster home. She has been able to jump the three-board fence to visit with her neighbors (will abort when told bad/no in a sharp tone). Ideally, her permanent home would have a 6’ fence.

Walks well on a leash? When it comes to walking on leash, Rayna has come leaps and bounds with her leash manners.  We walk with a gentle lead harness since she tends to hit the brakes and pull if startled (encouraging words get her moving). 

Challenges: Rayna is still a puppy and needs more basic training and manners to sink in. She’s very receptive and learns with repetition - she has learned to sit, go into crate, go upstairs (with encouragement). It cannot be stressed enough how important patience is with Rayna - and positive words of encouragement.  Give this girl some grace and love and she’ll turn any corner for you.

Any Medical issues? Rayna eats quite a lot, and she will eat others food if allowed.  She needs to be fed in a crate with bowls taken up after. She seems to be in great health.

What would be the best kind of home? So far, it seems Rayna will benefit most from being adopted by a family who has time and patience with her.  Given her timid nature, a consistent and stable environment would be best with a family who wants to show her affection (and use positive reinforcement for teaching her).  She needs her basic training reinforced (going in/out cars, up/downstairs, etc.), and an outlet to socialize and enjoy her puppy energy.  To reiterate, her adoptive family must be patient and respectful of her fears and not rush her to do too much too fast.  She’ll put on the brakes, and possibly shut down across the board. Rayna is so loving and incredibly great in so many ways… she only asks for grace to get her bearings on her timeline.  Give her a chance, time, and patience and she'll return the love three-fold. 

 

Application Fees, Adoption Donations and Rescue Policy:

Please know that 100% of our fees and donations pay for the costs of rescuing dogs. These include but are not limited to pull fees from shelters, veterinary examinations, vaccinations, medications and care, microchips, neuter/spay surgeries, heartworm treatments, behavior evaluations, and foster care, as needed.

Our rescue policy requires the following:

• Adopters must have their primary residence in one of the following states: Pennsylvania, Ohio, New Jersey, Delaware, Maryland, West Virginia, Virginia, and parts of North Carolina.

• We will not adopt a giant breed dog to homes where the dog will have access to highly varnished hardwood steps inside the home. Any inside steps to which the dog(s) have access, must have carpeting, securely fixed stair treads, or a non-skid surface. We encourage you to remediate potential safety issues while your application is under review, prior to the home visit.

• Methods or devices using pain or force on the dog to control the dog, or to deter undesirable behavior is prohibited.

• Applications for giant breed dogs must be submitted by the property owner.

• Homes with children under 6 years of age will not be approved for adoption.

• Homes with children should have a fenced yard.

• Pets currently in the applicant's home must have a history of appropriate veterinary care. Veterinary records will be checked.

• All references must be checked before any visitation of the dog is permitted at the foster home.

• All family members must be present during the home visit to the applicant's home.

• Any dog(s) in the applicant's home must have an introductory meeting with the rescue dog being considered, before any adoption can be completed.

• Homes with intact dogs will not be approved for adoption. Exceptions to this policy can be found on the Adoptable Dog Page.

Mastiffs To Mutts Rescue reserves the right to approve or deny any adoption that occurs through this organization without disclosure.  We reserve the right to make exceptions for special circumstances.

For additional information please review our FAQs or contact mastiffstomutts@gmail.com

**PA Kennel License: 05845

Good with Dogs, Good with Kids, Good with Adults, Does Good in the Car, Leashtrained, Cratetrained, Likes to play with toys, Playful, Affectionate

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