Missy just came in to Hope for Animals. She is 7 mths old. Missy doesn't have any baggage that we can tell. She loves other dogs (wants to play with them all, just like a puppy) and happily greets anyone with a kind word for her. However, Missy doesn't have any training. So we started with the basics. In just one day she learned Sit and Down. She is also learning to stay off the bed and keep her paws off the counters and furniture. It is clear that no one ever worked with her and that isn't her fault. Were teaching her as we go along. She is a very fast learner!
Missy will do best in a home with another like minded friendly super active dog (another Aussie would be great). She had a full groom yesterday and didn't react negatively or aggressively to any of the other dogs in the shop from really tiny ones to big Rottweilers. She played very sweetly with the ones her size. Even when a dog raised a lip at her or growled a bit she didn't go on the defensive or offensive. She was just one happy puppy!
Right now she isn't a fast dog, more a big floppy puppy. She does well on a leash and doesn't pull as long as there aren't any dogs in sight to want to play with. However she had no leash training so tries to get between your legs and will walk in front of you. Were working with her by taking her out on a leash several times a day to allow her to get the hang of it. Like just about any puppy she occasionally thinks the leash is a toy.
Missy's main bad habits are jumping up on people and trying to bite their arms and hands. I think we'll have her exhibiting better manners in a few days as she is already showing progress on sitting for attention. However due to this a home with young children may become discouraged with her.
Missy's ideal home would have another dog to play with, active owners with the time and inclination to train a very smart puppy from scratch.
You may want to consider a travel water bowl with her. One that doesn't spill if it gets knocked over. She seems to accidentally overturn just about every type we have. She never intends to do it but the one on the crate door she accidentally hit with her head when she woke up from a nap. One on the floor she accidently hit with a rear paw when stretching out. The one in the car was inevitable as we didn't have the hanging faster in place and it was on the floor of the crate. The one in the bathroom she landed in when jumping up.
Missy loves to chase the birds in the yard.
Missy is a very striking looking puppy. She has a very fluffy soft coat.
Missy loves to run and play.
e
Missy is a beautiful Aussie who loves to play with her toys.
She's cute enough to frame!
What a fabulous looking dog!
A tired Missy takes a nap.
But being a puppy she is soon back up, wanting to play.
And play.
Missy is a beautiful dog with a luxurious coat that will need professional grooming periodically to keep it in top shape. Her coat is soft like a bunny rabbit.
In terms of house training there was one accident her first night. Since then she has been on a puppy schedule for house training and there have been no further accidents. She does not have free roam of the house. She is out in the house with supervision or in a crate as she has only been with us a day and we work up to providing greater access to the house. Also Missy doesn't know which items are hers to chew on and play with and which aren't so were teaching her as part of the supervision.
This one is hers!
Here is a video of Missy playing.
Missy meets Simon from next door. The barking you hear is Simon. Missy is not a barker.
Missy hasn't shown any food or chew aggression. I'm able to put her bowl down and put my hand in it or pick it up and she doesn't care. If I reach for a chew she has she just licks my fingers. She is the sweetest puppy and has an excellent disposition!
Australian Shepherds live to be an average of 12-15 years so be prepared to commit to keeping her for at least 15 years.
No comments:
Post a Comment