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Posted over 8 years ago
| Updated over 8 years ago
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.
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My basic info
Breed
Border Collie/Jack Russell Terrier
Color
Black - with White
Age
Puppy
Size
Med. 26-60 lbs (12-27 kg) (when grown)
Weight
–
Sex
Female
Pet ID
–
My details
Good with dogs
Shots current
Spayed / Neutered
Housetrained
Has special needs
My story
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Here's what the humans have to say about me:
See Becca's video here:
https://youtu.be/utn-3jJsZX8
You must have a securely fenced yard to adopt this dog.
Becca is about 6 months old, and our veterinarian believes she is a border collie x Jack Russell terrier blend as she’s quite petite. She currently weighs just 20 pounds and the vet is guessing she will mature at about 30 pounds tops.
Becca has been doing really well on her housetraining, is crate trained, rides well in the car and takes treats gently. She is getting much better about cats although she requires supervision and would probably chase a cat that ran. She is generally quite quiet but will become vocal when excited. Becca is something of a “special needs” dog because of her timidity with people, but she has shown great progress in a short period of time and will thrive in a loving home and bond tightly with those who earn her trust.
Becca was found as a terrified stray in south central Idaho in late March, 2015 with scabs covering her head and legs. She would interact with other dogs but was almost literally petrified of contact with people, going stiff and averting her eyes whenever people would come near or touch her. She has never shown any inclination to fear-bite—she would just cower in a corner and look away, or sometimes would bolt and try to escape the situation.
We’ve been working with Becca since April 4 and she’s made great strides coming out of her shell. She is now a very happy girl, although she still has some reservations about being handled by people she doesn't know. She does feels confident enough to sniff legs, sleep at your feet, put her front paws up on your leg for a treat or ball, or even jump up on your lap after a ball. She is still quite shy about letting hands touch or stroke her when she is free to move away, although if you do pick her up she will not struggle but will look away and be passive. It does motivate her if you have a delicious treat to give her. She is food motivated, which helps!
Becca benefits greatly from the company of more confident dogs and will follow their lead, making it much easier to get her to come in or out of the house, for example. (We have also used a harness and long line on Becca, and she’s quite comfortable with that setup as well.) She loves other dogs, and has good manners in regards to toys, food or other treasures. She adores toys and is very playful. She will take treats from strangers if there are other dogs around doing the same thing.
We have worked to expose her to many new situations including travel and she has a surprisingly adaptable nature, being the same dog in a strange house with new dogs and cats as she is at her foster home.
She does have a submissive dog’s tendency to lick the lips of higher-ranking dogs (which in her case is everybody). Some dogs tolerate this well and others do not. We suspect that her head scabs could have been caused by an adult dog reprimanding her for this behavior, so we’ll want to make sure that any of her future siblings are tolerant of this behavior.
Becca had a breakthrough last week and here is what her foster mom writes, "Tonight she not only came up on the couch and slept on my arm, she also let me pet her while she lay there and didn't get up and move! And she's started sniffing all over my face and head and ears, especially my eyelids. It tickles!". Needless to say we are all delighted with this progress report.
We are seeking a home for Becca with a patient human who will help her to continue to make progress in her journey toward becoming a wonderful canine companion.
If interested in possibly adopting Becca, email findadog@hotmail.com for an application and we will get back to you as soon as possible. You must be willing to drive to southwestern Idaho to meet Becca if approved to adopt her. Becca's adoption fee is $150 and includes spay, vaccinations, microchip, collar and ID tag.
