Lenny

My story

Hi, I'm Lenny! I'm a cattle dog mix my parents rescued in March 2020. I love to learn, especially when I get rewarded with treats, and trainers say I’m VERY smart! Things were pretty scary before I went home with my current family, and I didn't get to socialize with a lot of dogs or people in my early days with them because of something called a "pandemic." That’s probably why I love being an only pet and do best with calm adults in quiet settings. I am a bit wary of strangers, but if they're kind and patient, I can get comfortable with them over time. I like being moderately active, although in the past, I enjoyed semi-regular runs with my humans. Once, I even hiked a 14-er in Colorado! I’m an easy rider and do well in the car. I like walks in dry weather, especially when I’m exploring an open green space on a long line. Sometimes I get a bit nervous about encountering other dogs while I’m out (especially if they’re mean!), but most of the time when other dogs bark at me, I mind my own business and will move away from them on my own or with gentle encouragement. I learn fast and have developed a wide repertoire of trained behaviors! I can close the door after me when I come back home after being outside. (Sometimes it takes a little prompting, but that’s just because I just want to make sure my parents are paying attention.) I am crate trained and like relaxing in my “bedroom”--I especially love snuggling into pillows and blankets! I’m also good at nosework and my parents like to set up searches for me around our home for mental enrichment. I like soft toys and only rip them up SOMETIMES. The doggy dentist said I should avoid bones and hard toys because of enamel damage I've had since I was very small (they think someone gave my mom antibiotics when I was in her tummy). I have sealant on my teeth now, and my parents got me pet insurance that can be transferred to my new human(s)! Being a cattle dog, I’m not a super cuddly guy, but I take great comfort from just being near my favorite people. I do get a bit anxious when my humans leave the house without me and I don’t like being alone for several hours at a time. I never chew on my family’s things when they're gone, but I’ve discovered that sometimes they leave snacks for me on the kitchen counter and dining room table when they’re out. They’re the BEST! Things were a lot easier for me at home before one of my family members learned to crawl and walk. I feel pretty nervous about that because toddlers can be unpredictable, invasive, and loud. I’m fine around quieter children who respect my space, but I sometimes feel defensive around noisy kids who come at me with quick movements. For this reason, my humans have been helping me learn to wear a basket muzzle comfortably. With appropriate management to keep me feeling safe, though, I know I can succeed in my future fur-ever home! Some thoughts from Lenny’s humans: Although it breaks our hearts to do so, we are rehoming Lenny because he recently bit our son, drawing blood. It was a first-aid only injury, but for our child’s safety and Lenny’s well-being, we think it best for Lenny to be in a child-free home. Lenny has a history of reactivity and resource-guarding. Past triggers include: Leash reactivity around other dogs. In the past, when meeting other dogs on leash, he has occasionally snapped, especially if the other dog was bigger. We now avoid on-leash greetings. When dogs bark at him on walks, he generally ignores them unless they are too close. If he sees a dog across the street, he may jump and whine, but he usually ignores them or easily moves along when prompted. In the past, Lenny has participated in play bouts with other dogs, but it has taken some warmup time, and he has gotten protective of us if we sit down (we haven’t done this in some time, though). Lenny previously nipped a couple of tall and/or bearded men who were visiting our home. He also lunged at a young child who approached him within a couple of feet in our yard. We now keep Lenny safely confined so this can’t happen again. Loud noises like thunder and fireworks scare him, so we give him medicine for these stressful events. Lenny is uncomfortable around loud, fast-moving things like bouncing basketballs, skateboards, and scooters. If they are too close, he may bark, jump, or lunge on leash. Lenny has a history of guarding human food (or what he perceives as human food) when it falls somewhere inaccessible (like under the sofa) and we reach for it. These days, we manage the situation by redirecting him instead of reaching for something while he’s right beside us. Lenny can get anxious when we leave and as we’re preparing to head out. One time he snapped at me because I was trying to quickly push him out of the doorway while shutting the door. (We’ve found an effective management solution so that this doesn’t happen again.) Training We’re in the process of conditioning Lenny to wear a comfortable basket muzzle for bite prevention, and we find that it’s helpful to use physical restraint (leash, tether, crate, gate, etc.) so that he’s not inadvertently put in situations that make him react defensively. We have been working with a trainer to address these issues, and Lenny has made HUGE progress! We purchased a training package and are happy to transfer these credits to his newly adoptive human(s) to ensure Lenny’s continued success and a smooth transition to his future fur-ever home. Lessons can be conducted in-person or online. Contact Info Feel free to text or email me with any questions! Dan Siroky (309) 781-2790 dan.siroky@gmail.com

If you have any questions or would like to adopt Lenny, please reach out to the adoption group directly. PetSmart Charities does not facilitate the adoption process. Thank you.