Size
(when grown) Med. 26-60 lbs (12-27 kg)
Details
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Story
PERSONALITY & BEHAVIORS A stunning creature in every way, Kalua will make a wonderful addition to someone looking for a companion who is smart, loyal, and independent. Only people who are experienced dog owners should apply, and preference will be given to those who are familiar with working breeds. Her forever family should not have young children or other pets (dogs and cats), as Kalua is still learning to be less fearful of her environment. Kalua is highly sensitive to loud noises. Therefore, she needs to live in a detached home in a relatively quiet neighborhood, so she can relax and will not come across a lot of people and traffic (buses and trucks are the bane of her existence!). She will bark in response to sudden noises or other dogs barking, but settles down quickly when told to stop. Kalua is working through a few anxiety issues, but has been making excellent progress, so it is essential that she join a family who will continue to take things slowly and steadily. She is wary of new people and things, and, as a result, is not the type of dog who is immediately friendly and affectionate. With time and patience, Kalua has warmed up to her foster mom (she's starting to realize the magic of belly rubs!), but she does need her space. Thanks to a structured training routine, Kalua has been adjusting beautifully in her foster home. She is incredibly intelligent and has already mastered the Sit, Down, Paw, Wait, Touch, Fetch, Crate, Bow, Back Up, and Nose commands. Due to her cleverness, her human needs to be firm in establishing boundaries and in adhering to rules that will help both dog and human continue to flourish and bond. Once you have earned her trust, she is eager to please and will delight you with her ability to learn quickly. Kalua is housebroken and crate-trained. She can be crated alone for 5 hours and will sleep soundly in her crate overnight for 6- to 8 hours. She even lets you know when she's ready for bed by tucking herself in! A lovely housemate, she has exhibited no destructive tendencies around the house and no resource guarding, and takes treats gently. She also rides well in a car. Although initially uncomfortable with human touch, by letting her decide when she wants affection, Kalua now happily lets her foster mom wipe her paws and brush her coat. Kalua is an excellent (not to mention the cutest!) buddy who enjoys napping under her foster mom's desk while she works from home. She enjoys challenging her brain with puzzle toys, gets excited to play fetch and catch (see her video!), and sometimes likes to keep busy by chewing on her Benebone. All of these activities must be supervised and she gladly follows her human's lead. Kalua is a young and medium-energy dog who will need both her body and mind to be stimulated. She requires 15-minute walks, 3 or 4 times a day, in addition to short training intervals inside the house. With practice and patience, Kalua has learned to walk by her foster mom's heel and respond when called. Given her fear of sudden noises and a propensity for chasing squirrels, it's very important that her human stay calm and focused during walks to prevent her from fleeing or lunging. Once she finds her rhythm, Kalua loves to run. And what pure joy it is to see her athleticism shine! If you're someone who is ready and eager to put in the time and energy to work with Kalua to overcome her anxiety while engaging her body and mind, then you'll surely be rewarded with a fantastic forever companion! PHYSICAL Kalua's most striking feature is her glacier-blue eyes that almost sparkle in the sun. She boasts a silky soft, dark auburn coat with white markings on her face and chest. Her feet are also covered in spots of tan and white. HEALTH Kalua is up-to-date on vaccinations, microchipped, spayed, and heartworm negative. HISTORY Kalua was surrendered to a local shelter by her owner.
