Size
(when grown) Med. 26-60 lbs (12-27 kg)
Details
Good with dogs,
Good with cats,
House-trained,
Spayed or Neutered,
Shots are up-to-date,
Story
var switchTo5x=false;stLight.options({publisher:'56e40c2a-2928-4a92-9903-c88366473aa8'}); If you would like to provide this dog a loving home, please fill out a pre-adoption application. Have a question? Please read our Frequently Asked Questions and Adoption Processed Explained documentation. _________ B I O ______________ Name: Dinga Size: Medium range: 26-60 lbs Adoption Donation: $250 (applicable sales tax included). Adoption fees may be paid by cash or check.  Other:  Spayed Female, Vaccinations current, Microchip, Fenced Yard Required YouTube Video link for Dinga;: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=T6c6ixn1KbI Dinga is a sweet girl who’s all heart, all fluff, and all in when treats are involved. Foster Home Feedback ** Fenced Yard Required 9/30/25 Foster Feedback: It’s been nearly three months since we started fostering Dinga, and the “3 days, 3 weeks, 3 months” rule has definitely proven true. She’s come a long way in settling into our home and routine. In the beginning, Dinga struggled with separation anxiety. She would howl, whine, and occasionally have accidents when one of us left the house. Through consistent use of distraction and redirection techniques, she gradually learned to stay calm. Now, she watches us leave with a casual glance and goes back to whatever she was doing—no fuss, no accidents. Occasionally, she’ll let out a little whimper to express her disapproval, but it’s more of a gentle protest than distress. We’re confident that Dinga is now comfortable being left alone for a few hours, especially when she’s with our other dogs. She no longer exhibits anxious behavior or has accidents during these times. However, she doesn’t do well in a kennel. After a few attempts that resulted in accidents and discomfort, we stopped using it. She’s much happier having access to most of the house and enjoys napping with the other dogs. There’s been no destructive behavior, and she doesn’t counter surf—even with access to the kitchen. Dinga has also done well when left alone at home while our dogs are at daycare, as long as one of us is around. We haven’t yet tested leaving her completely alone (no humans or dogs), but we suspect she’ll need some time to adjust to that scenario. She did experience a setback when she was bitten on the nose by a dog through a fence during a walk. While she’s now more cautious around unfamiliar dogs—slowing down and staying alert—she hasn’t shown aggression or fear. Her behavior with our dogs and our neighbor’s dog remains unaffected, and we’re gradually reintroducing her to social events now that her wound has healed. One of Dinga’s favorite things is having easy access to the outdoors. We installed a mesh curtain on the deck door so she can come and go freely while keeping bugs out. She loves zooming around or simply sunbathing on the deck—it’s her new happy place. She’s a strong chewer and enjoys tearing apart soft toys, so she’ll need durable options like Nylabones, which she loves. Leash walking starts off with excitement and pulling due to all the smells and sights, but she settles into a good rhythm as the walk progresses. Dinga absolutely loves car rides, walks, and frozen treats. She’s very expressive—when you come home, she’ll let you know exactly how she feels about being left behind, often with loud greetings and excited jumping. We’re working on redirecting this behavior with calm responses and ignoring the jumping. She’s also vocal when she wants attention, and we’ve found that ignoring her or using noise-canceling headphones helps manage it. Overall, Dinga is a ray of sunshine. She’s well-behaved, affectionate, and playful. She loves to wrestle with our dogs, cuddle, and follow us around like a little shadow. Her progress has been remarkable, and she continues to bring joy to our home. 8/27/25 Foster Feedback: Dinga was at Pup-palooza for about 2 hours. It was chaotic but she handled it well. She just wanted to play with all the dogs. We're trying to figure out if there's anything she's afraid of. She has absolutely no fear. Dinga likes to be around the vacuum, hair dryer, loud race cars, bicycles/skateboards/strollers and now belly dance skirts. I think she identifies as a cat and likes things that jingle 8/20/25 Foster Feedback: We've fostered Dinga long enough now to get through her initial anxiety and see her wonderful personality shine through. Dinga is a very cuddly and energetic girl, who likes a daily walk or some other way to burn up energy. Doggy daycare or dog parks would be her dream! She gets along very well with other dogs (we have two goldens) as well as people and she is extremely outgoing and loves to meet new people. She initially had some minor inside accidents caused by anxiety, but those issues have gone away as she got comfortable with the new environment. She's learned how to tell us when she needs to go out and we've had no issues! We also learned she likes enclosed crates over open air kennels, but she prefers to just sleep on the couch or bed instead. Dinga is a huge fan of car rides and walks. We recently took her in a 5 mile hike through Sheyenne Grasslands and she LOVED it. Whether you're looking for a hiking partner, a loyal cuddle buddy, or a cheerful greeter for guests, Dinga fits the bill. She’s full of love, energy, and charm—and she’s ready to share it all with a family who’ll adore her. Dinga is ready for her forever home! 7/17/25 Foster Feedback: Dinga is a sweet, cuddly shadow dog who’s learning how to be more independent. Her main challenge is separation anxiety, especially when I leave the house. She may whine, bark, or occasionally have an accident due to stress, but she’s making steady progress. my husband's distraction techniques — like taking her out just before departure — have helped Dinga settle much more easily. Kennel training is still a work in progress. Dinga is comfortable in her crate as long as she can hear or see us. We’ve built positive associations with meals, treats, and puzzle toys, and we occasionally check in via voice or camera to reassure her. Dinga is starting to tolerate short absences better, and we’re also working with a behavior team after our vacation. Dinga is fully potty trained and barks to let us know when she needs to go out. Any accidents have only happened due to anxiety. She’s learned to take treats with gentle manners — no more chomping fingers! Saying “Gentle” is now her cue to accept rewards with care. Dinga knows lots of commands: Sit, Stay, Down/Lay Down, “Up Up,” Outside, Downstairs, Inside, No, Stop (with palm), Kennel, Go Potty. She hasn’t attempted any counter surfing, though we still keep the kitchen gated. She sniffs politely but hasn’t jumped once! Now that she’s recovered from her spay, Dinga’s playful side shines. She loves fetch — and unlike our boys, she actually brings the ball back and drops it! She pounces, tosses, and chases with joyful abandon. Her favorite toys include crinkly things, tug ropes, and Chuck-It with an attached rope. Dinga plays tug-of-war with our big dog Weasley and holds her own like a champ. Early on, she instigated bark-offs with our dogs, but with redirection and time, she’s learned to respect their boundaries. She’s not destructive at all — no chewed furniture or garden damage — and she has a soft spot for flowers (petunias in particular). Dinga is a dream WFH companion. She naps nearby, supervises with quiet dedication, and stays calm during calls. Fireworks don’t bother her one bit — even the ones from the nearby fairgrounds haven’t fazed her. She takes her meds without complaint, and pill pockets? Not needed. Leash walking is still in progress. Dinga tends to pull, but she’s learning quickly — when we stop, she returns and sits beside us. She’s curious but not reactive to other dogs; she doesn’t bark or lunge, just watches with interest. Dinga’s favorite snacks: carrots, bacon treats, pup cake from Three Dogs Bakery Dinga’s favorite toys: Chuck-It rope ball, crinkly toys, tug ropes, sticks Dinga is affectionate, playful, and deeply loyal. She’ll be an incredible addition to a loving home. 7/16/25 Foster Feedback: Dinga has been a joy to be around these two days. She's potty trained, and very well mannered. She's very friendly and a fantastic work from home companion. She doesn't bark while on calls, takes naps while we work, and behaves very well. Dinga is not a fan of being left alone in her kennel, but she's great at laying around the house with us. We won't be leaving her alone for a while, and we hope to get her comfortable with her kennel, or an alternate containment area. Dinga is still recovering from being spayed, so keeping her energy in check is a little challenging at times, especially when she wants to play with our other dogs. We're looking forward to the day she can run with them! Whoever adopts her will have an excellent companion, and we hope Dinga finds her forever home soon. 7/12/25 Volunteer Feedback: Dinga is truly a one-of-a-kind gem. With her irresistibly sweet baby face and heart full of joy, she’s a ray of sunshine in dog form. Whether you're heading out on a scenic hike or just snuggling in for a movie night, Dinga is the perfect companion. She’s equal parts playful and peaceful. Ready to go on an adventure or curl up beside you. Dinga brings balance, love, and excitement to any home! Click here to watch a video of Dinga.To view additional dogs available for adoption, please see our website: www.4luvofdog.org December 5, 2025, 10:10 pm
