Nico is a very bouncy, loving puppy with lots of energy and a willingness to be trained. He would thrive with multiple caregivers, ideally with a backyard for him to roam. He is e-collar trained.
Pet's Name:
Nico
Dog: Primary Breed:
Australian Shepherd Dog
Birthdate, estimate is okay:
July 15, 2023
Age Category:
Young
Where did you get your pet?:
A breeder
Adoption Day, when did you adopt your pet? An estimate is okay.:
September 8, 2023
Gender:
Male
Size (at full grown):
Small
Weight (in pounds) at full-grown size. Example: 35:
15
Primary Color:
Red/Golden/Orange
What are your pet's favorite toys and activities?:
Nico loves all toys, and especially loves playing fetch!
Has your dog received any formal obedience training?:
Yes
What commands does your dog know?:
Sit, down, stay, come, and heel.
Has your dog ever exhibited any challenging behaviors, such as biting a person or another pet? If so, could you please share some details about the situation?:
Nico does tend to bite (not especially hard) hands when you try to get something out of his mouth or when practicing "drop-it" with a fetch toy. He has never drawn blood. He is confident in play but fearful in other ways (of noises, big dogs) and so he sometimes barks and growls at other dogs and people. There was one incident at daycare in which he got aggressive with another dog and then re-directed to the trainer who tried to intervene. He has undergone e-collar training for reactivity.
How does your dog react to being left alone for short periods?:
He has been crate trained and is fine in the crate as long as he is put in when mentally and/or physically tired. If he is "amped," he tends to whine.
Are there any specific triggers that cause your dog anxiety or stress?:
People walking outside the door (I currently live in an apartment, and seeing people enter the building causes him to bark). He is also fearful of loud noises, large things he doesn't understand (e.g., large boxes, baby carriages), vacuum cleaners, and manhole covers on sidewalks.
Is there a particular routine that works best for your dog in terms of feeding, walking, and sleep?:
I feed him twice a day, walk him 3-4 times/day, and have him sleep in his crate 2-3 hours at a time while I am at work.
Medical History and Care:
Vaccinations up to date
Spayed or Neutered
House/Litter-Trained
Microchipped
Special Diet
Special Needs
Never Vetted
Unknown
Personality:
Playful
Constant Companion
High Energy
Medium Energy
Low Energy
Stubborn
Timid
Needs Training
Friendly to Strangers
Good with Other Dogs
Good with Young Children
Good with Cats
Bonded Pair
Requires A Fenced Yard
Crate Trained
Purebred
What's the most endearing thing about your dog?:
Nico wears his emotions on his sleeve - he shows love to almost everyone he meets!
What criteria are important to you when considering an adoptive family or home for your pet?:
Nico still has a ways to go to overcome his fears and associated reactivity, so it is important that the adoptive family be prepared to put in time and effort into training.
Is there anything else you'd like your pet's new family to know?:
Nico has done 36 sessions of basic obedience training and a 4-week board & train on a prong collar. As a working dog, he simply needed a firmer approach to training. He now receives balanced training in which we are focusing on limiting the hand-nipping and barking out of fear.
Why are you rehoming your pet (primary reason)?:
Housing is Inadequate for Pet
Rehoming reason details (if necessary):
Nico needs to live in a house rather than an apartment at exacerbates his fear response, and multiple caregivers to keep up with his energy.
How long will you be able to keep your pet before you may need to consider surrendering him or her to a rescue?:
Not an option, my pet will stay with me for as long as it takes
Who is your veterinarian?:
VCA Santa Monica Main Street Animal Hospital
What do you feed your pet?:
Hill's Gastrointestinal Biome - Gastrointestinal Biome Food
Do you have pet insurance for your pet? :
Yes
Would you consider a long distance adoption?:
Yes
No
Maybe
City, State:
Santa Monica, CA
Zip Code:
90405
Service Level:
No-Cost Option: Basic Listing Service