Gunther

Gunther is my almost 2 year old woolie American Akita. He is a big boy at about 100 lbs. He loves to hang out with his person, give kisses, play with toys, and get pet and brushed. He is a pretty lazy boy, only needing a 20-30 min walk a few times a week and some play time with toys after work. He loves to be outside, especially when the weather's cool. He's the best stubborn boy I've ever met.

Pet's Name: Gunther
Dog: Primary Breed: American Akita
Birthday, estimate is okay: 4/14/22
Age Category: Adult
Where did you get your pet?: Petland
Adoption Day, when did you adopt your pet? An estimate is okay.: June 2022
Gender: Male
Size (at full grown): Large
Weight (at full grown): 100
Primary Color: Tan (Mostly)
What are your pet's favorite toys and activities?: Favorite activities are playing fetch, playing in the snow, getting brushed. His favorite toys are small soft cat toys and his stuffed Lamb Chops toy.
Has your dog received any formal obedience training?: No
What commands does your dog know?: Sit, stay, come, let's go, lay down, shake, other paw, touch (nose to hand), roll over, lay your head down
Has your dog ever displayed any behavioral issues, such as biting another person or pet? If so, can you please provide details on what happened?: Yes, he has bitten our two other female dogs, but no serious injuries. He does sometimes growl at people when uncomfortable
How does your dog react to being left alone for short periods?: He's fine
Are there any specific triggers that cause your dog anxiety or stress?: He is no longer a big fan of other dogs, especially males. He does ok with females but is selective and would do best as an only dog. He is wary of strangers and takes a little while to warm up, but can easily be bribed with treats.
Is there a particular routine that works best for your dog in terms of feeding, walking, and sleep?: Wake up around 7am, potty break, breakfast, potty break about 30min later for #2, if we're home during the day, he gets potty breaks throughout the day. If we're not home, he's ok holding it until we get home (9hrs max). We normally do a 20-30 min walk before dinner (he doesn't love walking longer than that). He normally gets dinner around 5pm, potty break about 30min later, and another potty break before bed.
Medical History and Care:
Vaccinations up to date
Spayed or Neutered
House/Litter-Trained
Microchipped
Special Diet
Special Needs
Never Vetted
Unknown
Does your pet have any history of health issues or medical conditions that potential adopters should be aware of?: He seems to have a chicken allergy which makes him itchy and causes hot spots. He's on a poultry free diet now.
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?: Gunther is very loyal. He follows me around the house, room to room (even if that room is the bathroom), sleeps next to my side of the bed, and likes to lay by my feet when we hang out in the yard. For the right person, he will devote himself entirely.
What criteria are important to you when considering an adoptive family or home for your pet?: It's important that Gunther be an only dog. Although he gets along with our dogs a lot of the time, I don't think he enjoys sharing his space or people. It's also important to me that his next person understands his breed or has experience with other primitive breeds. He can be very stubborn and opinionated, so he needs someone who will be patient and consistent with training. He needs his boundaries to be respected, especially while he's getting to know people, so I don't think a home with young kids would be a good fit.
Is there anything else you'd like your pet's new family to know?: Gunther's long coat needs to be kept up with. He loves getting brushed and doesn't mind baths and blow dry. He has never been to a professional groomer, so he will need a slow introduction if you plan to go that route. He has a chicken allergy, so he needs to be on a poultry free diet or he will get itchy and develop hot spots.
Why are you rehoming your pet (primary reason)?: Incompatible with Other Pets
Rehoming reason details (if necessary): As he's reaching maturity, Gunther enjoys being around other dogs less and less. He has been lashing out at our other dogs, and unfortunately we can't keep living the way we are. Gunther deserves to be the only dog in the house, and our other dogs deserve to be able to walk around their home freely. This is a very painful decision for me as he is my baby. I really hope there's someone out there who's a better fit for him so he can relax.
How long will you be able to keep your pet before you may need to consider surrendering him or her to a rescue?: One month
Who is your veterinarian?: Whole Pet in Madison, WI
What do you feed your pet?: Stella & Chewy's Wild Red Raw Coated Kibble Wholesome Grains Red Meat Recipe Dry Dog Food
Do you have pet insurance for your pet? : No
Would you consider a long distance adoption?:
Yes
No
Maybe
City, State: Madison, WI
Zip Code: 53704
Service Level: Not Sure