Size
(when grown) Med. 26-60 lbs (12-27 kg)
Details
Not good with dogs,
Not good with cats,
Spayed or Neutered,
Story
Courtesy Post: Owner Surrender/Rehoming- Albany, OR
We are looking for a compassionate and attentive forever home for our dog. A forever home would need to have patience to offer in efforts for behavior training related to fear and reactivity from past abuse.
Cooper is a 4-year-old Australian Shepherd mix (other breed is unknown). We, and the shelter he came from, guess that he is some combination of Aussie and a German Shepherd. He is 45 pounds and in good health. He is neutered, microchipped and up to date on essential vaccines such as rabies. Cooper isn’t on heartworm prevention. He can be fearful and reactive to strangers and other dogs or pets. If visitors ignore him and let him meet them on his own terms, he becomes fast friends.
He needs to be in a home where he is the only dog or animal roaming free. He is an inside dog and uses a dog door. Cooper has lots of energy, but loves to chill as well, and be at your side or warming your feet getting pets. His favorite activities are any type of fetch, running, tug of war, or water play. He goes nuts for frisbees and balls. He loves to chase our hose water. He walks nicely on a leash, but if approached by another dog, will tuck his tail and growl. He has never been destructive to property and has always distinguished between his toys and our daughter’s toys.
Our family is moving abroad and we are not able to take Cooper with us. Our family’s stress during a difficult time has weighed on Cooper and increased his fear reactivity. This has led us to start him on some anxiety and depression medications to reduce his fear. He is given Trazodone, Clonodine and Prozac. He is an absolute sweetheart. An initial behaviorist evaluation confirmed a professional opinion that he is in no way aggressive, but simply fear reactive under extreme stress.
Cooper does have a bite history, due to his anxiety and fear reactivity. Cooper nipped Samantha as she was putting on a leash on him, while a stranger came to their home and tried to sell them something. Another nipping instance occurred when the owners were having a garage sale. Her husband tried to get Cooper back inside the house and while holding the door open for him, he stopped in the doorway and his tail was tucked. The owner gave him a pet on the bottom to see if he would move, but he lunged and nipped at the owner. The third instance was when his wife was in the garage and asked Cooper to go inside, but he lunged and nipped at Samantha. He didn’t break her skin, but left a mark and a blood blister on her leg.
If you think you can provide a great home for Cooper, please contact the owner listed below. There is a $100 rehoming fee to assure good folks with good intentions. This fee will be donated to Australian Shepherds Furever for their assistance in placing Cooper.
Owner’s Contact Information: Samantha at samanthamulunde@gmail.com.
