Freckles/Moody

My story

Give him a fun-loving leader and he will rock!   Hi there! I’m a 2-year-old, 25-pound neutered male Australian Cattle Dog mix. I lived in a home since I was an 8 week old pup, but unfortunately I need a new home now with someone who loves me for my fun-loving personality and cattle dog tendencies. Heres the thing- I’m not a full cattle dog, so my traits aren’t at 100% intensity! My foster mom says I’m noticeably less crazy than my purebred cattle dog foster sister, but that doesn’t mean I don’t turn it on sometimes when I’m excited! I got that dog in me!   Speaking of excitement- I can be easily aroused, therefore I thrive on structure and routine. Predictability helps me learn when it’s appropriate to be excited (bark with joy) and when I need to calm down (settle quietly). I can have a bit of stubborn streak occasionally (there’s that cattle dog), but I do learn to respect the rules with consistency and repetition. I’m starting to understand that a little patience goes a long way.   I used to love going on 3-6 mile runs every day, so if that’s your thing, I’m in! If you are into fetch, we would have SO MUCH FUN TOGETHER! The ball is my favorite toy, but I also love to hoard all my stuffys. I can really get down with a nylon chewbone and entertain myself, especially if you are occupied with one of your screens. As long as we play together later! Regardless of how busy you are, I need a solid 45 minutes of movement and thinking a day to fulfill my needs.    I am impeccably house trained and mostly crate trained, but sometimes struggle with the crate. I had never been in a crate at my old home- ever! I got the crating 101 course from my foster mom because I can have some separation anxiety. She said I passed with a B+. I love to run right in my crate for dinner, when I get a new chew, and I even choose to relax in there when the door is open. When the door is closed, that is a little harder for me, but I’ve mostly conquered it.    Since it’s a new skill I sometimes whine. After a reminder or two, I remember that I can relax alone without crying, it’s not going to kill me, and I settle in for a nap. I sleep in it great at night, great when you are home during the day, but when you leave- I am much happier left in a small gated area with a bed rather than the crate. You can even leave me to hang out in a room, I’m not a chewer or mischievous like that at all! I’m still working on being alone in the crate with nobody home, but I know I’ll get there and earn an A+!   While I’m not necessarily mischievous, I am super silly. I love to do silly small barks to initiate play, boop everything with my nose, and use my paws just as much. That’s how I play with people and dogs! Speaking of dogs, I LOVE other dogs. Sometimes large males freak me out initially, but then I’m silly as can be once I get used to them. I’m the star at my foster mom’s doggie playgroup, and have lived with dogs my whole life!    My excitability and love for dogs does lead to some leash reactivity when I see them on walks. I want to run right up to them and say hi! That’s also where one of my Cattle Dog traits comes in- what Cattle Dog doesn’t love a good bark session?! The good news is I’ve made a lot of improvement because I take interruptions from my person well, and while I still am a work in progress I am nowhere near as crazy as I used to be. I get so excited to see my slip leash and get to walking and earning those treats!   I have lived with cats and did okay, but I did like to chase them if they ran and I couldn’t figure out why they didn’t like that? It was just for fun! I would be okay with older children, but kids under 12 usually aren’t as effective at enforcing the boundaries that I need in place to be a good boy. People coming over to the house should also meet me with the same rules in place, so that I don’t spiral into an excitement fit! I just LOVE people okay!!! If you have a leash, a crate and some patience I quickly learn that I have to be calm in order to say hi. But true to my cattle dog quirks, you have to make sure to follow through because I might be a little pushy. It’s in my nature!    I would be fabulous in a home with other dogs, but need structure to prevent any issues, like guarding my toys. My foster mom taught me that is not allowed at her house, so I haven’t done this in a long time but it’s likely I might try it again while integrating into a new pack. This is where you’re in SUPER luck- my foster mom is a professional trainer and would be happy to give you the support you need while integrating me into your pack.    My ideal home has a person who wants to be moderately active with me, is a confident handler, and likes a goofy personality. It would be a bonus if you had other dogs I could play with, but it’s not necessary as long as you can keep up with my socialization in other ways (not daycare, too overexciting). My adoption fee is $350 and that includes spaying/neutering, shots, and microchip. If you want to take me home, please fill out the form on the website here: https://theanimalpad.org/adoption-application/ ##1728538##

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