There's a lot to learn when you have a new pet. Our sister brand, The Wildest, is here to support you—with new pet checklists, virtual training, and expert guides. Sign up for free.
I found a new home! Plenty of my friends are looking for one too. Check out other pets at this shelter, or start a new search.
Find a pet to adopt
My basic info
Breed
Labrador Retriever/Collie
Color
White - with Tan, Yellow or Fawn
Age
Adult
Size
Large 61-100 lbs (28-45 kg) (when grown)
Weight
–
Sex
Male
Pet ID
PDR 103
My details
Good with kids
Good with dogs
Shots current
Spayed / Neutered
Housetrained
My story
Share
Here's what the humans have to say about me:
A cadet is normally someone who is new to training or young on the seniority scale. However, sometimes you run into the little rebellious but smart as a whip cadets that completely beat all of your expectations. Well, I’d like to take a second and introduce you to a dog who is just like that and his name happens to be Cadet. He is a 4 year old Lab/Collie mix weighing in around 56 lbs and standing about 2 ft tall. He is large amounts of white with tan patches and some dark trim around his ears. He is a beautiful little soldier with white eyelashes that stand out and really show off his expressive face. He’s a fun loving dog who wants to please you and play with you and learn. He wants to make you proud.
From what I know Cadet was an unclaimed stray who had been previously neutered and was well fed from his size when he arrived. Just like in boot camp we put him on a rigorous exercise routine (3 walks daily with playing, agility and running) as well as some weight control food. I’m not sure how anyone could leave Cadet out in the cold and not claim him; he is a perfect family dog who has energy to play but isn’t so young that he is wild and requires extensive training.
Cadet’s home life consists of sleeping, going on walks, playing outside and eating. He is a great dog for any small-large home. He currently lives in a condo with me and I take him on walks 3 times a day for approximately 20-40 minutes each time (depending on weather/how cold it is!) on an extend a leash. He will bark at passersby and we are currently working on that. It isn’t an aggression bark though; he just wants to go say hi. Cadet loves to walk and run and play tug of war with rope toys. He is also a HUGE fan of peanut butter filled marrow bones that he can work on for a little while.
Cadet is definitely not a crate trained dog. He will rip the door right off of it but you’ll come home to find him sleeping on the couch or bed. He hates being in a crate but when left unsupervised he has not destroyed anything or left a mess anywhere in the 4 weeks I’ve had him. He just made it known very early on that he doesn’t need to be in a crate to behave himself and that’s the way it stands.
Cadet is definitely a cuddler. He loves when I come home after work and change into my comfy clothes and we just cuddle up on the couch and watch TV for a little bit. He loves to learn new tricks and loves to be mentally challenged. He loves getting his belly rubbed and forehead scratched and resting his head on your lap so you can pet him while watching TV or checking emails. I haven’t had to cut Cadets nails yet as regular walks keep them trim, but I have wiped his feet after walks and he doesn’t seem to have any issue with his feet being touched. He is such a fantastic dog!! He is house trained and has never had an accident. I’m still in disbelief how anyone could turn him out into the cold.
Cadet loves to meet other animals. He is friendly and happy and wants to play with them. He definitely needs some more socializing and play time, but I have yet to see aggression from this guy in any way, shape or form. I took Cadet to meet my 5 year old niece and almost 3 year old nephew. He was great with them, was interested in licking their faces a lot though. Cadet would be a great family dog I believe.
The first day/night I had cadet I wondered what kinds of obedience he knew and after about 4 days I knew. He knew how to sit and lay down and come. He comes very well to a whistle followed by his name. Over the course of 4 weeks, I have taught him how to stay, leave it, sit pretty, “bang” (play dead), and rollover. Now, Cadet loves to greet you by jumping up on you. Not into you in excitement but he wants to lick your face and say hello. We have worked on the ‘off’ command and he responds fairly well, but I have also worked in a way you can place your arm so that he uses it as a perch and can be greeted nicely.
Health issues regarding Cadet are non-existent from what I can see. He does itch a bit here and there, but we believe that is due to a food allergy. He is currently on hypoallergenic food and the itching has calmed down quite a bit. This seems to be working for him and his adoptive family should keep him on the hypoallergenic food that he is on. All of his vaccinations are up to date and he has been micro chipped. He would love a home with a fenced in yard, but he doesn’t have one in his foster home and we get by quite nicely with regular walks. He needs a family committed to socializing him and taking him to obedience school so he can learn even more and be even smarter than he is. Training is such a bonding experience with your dog and Cadet loves learning new things.
Cadet is a top student in my eyes and I know that if you adopt him, he will love you endlessly and try to impress you every day. Adopt this fellow, it’ll be one of the best decisions you’ve made in a long time.
If you think Cadet just may be the dog for you, please check out our website www.pounddog.ca and fill out an application.
