Zazu is my best friend and has been for the last seven years! His paperwork says he is full Shetland Sheepdog. But he resembles a bit more on the Collie side. I have always thought he was part collie and part Sheltie because he weighs 50lbs so big for a sheltie but small for a collie. Looks sheltie in the face. Before meeting my family, it was just me and him. We went hiking a lot and he loved just being around me. He loves training and picks up new commands very quickly with consistent training. He loves playing fetch at any point of the day inside or outside. He loves the beach, fetch, and loves napping in his crate. his favorite snack is bananas, steak, and dog friendly vanilla ice cream. He has always been my protector and had very strong instincts. He does bark whenever strangers come into the home but it out of fear rather than aggression. Once I out him outside or in his crate when a stranger comes in, I will let him out and he has never attacked or hurt any friend or person in our home. His bark just sounds intense and intimidating whenever the door bell rings. He does have leash aggression and will bark at another dog if you are not on top of training queues. But he is not necessarily aggressive towards other dogs overall (only when walking on a leash he barks at them). I make him sit and wait while holding a training treat and having him close to me while other dogs walk past us. But if he is tired from the park or a walk then he won’t notice them. We did introduce a second dog into our home two years ago and had no issues with that. I have also brought him to family’s houses with a dog and he played just fine.
The reason I am unfortunately looking to re home him is due to my children. He was never great around them, he always got bad anxiety and I managed it well by creating a safe space for him. But when I brought my first daughter home from the hospital he did nip at her. I figured it was due to him never seeing an infant and him being used to just me and him for the first 4 years of his life. I worked with him on it and my first daughter is now 3 and he has adjusted well. He has bonded with her and become protective of her, even with my husband. But we now have a 4 week old baby and he nipped at her as well. As he is getting older (now 7) he is becoming more protective of me and grouchy towards my kids. My daughter accidentally stepped on his back paw and he would normally never do anything but he tried to bite her. He also still tries to nip towards the baby at times. He has never showed aggression towards adults but only towards my girls and it has progressed since he gets older.
I do not see my dog as aggressive but I always promised to my put my children first. He would do great in a home with either no children or any older couple. He flourishes in a home where he is the only dog. I used to work 40 hours a week so he is used to being crate trained during the day but flourishes when able to get to play fetch inside or outside. He makes a great companion for a single person looking for their best friend and a couple with no children. Once again he responds well and loves training sessions with treats. He can learn a new commend or trick in less than 48 hours and have it stick.
He is 7 now and would love to find his forever home. I have cried several times typing him as this is a hard decision but I know it is best for him because he doesn’t deserve to just be out in his crate more and more due to my children when I know someone else can give him the life and home he deserves.
Dog: Primary Breed:
Collie
Birthdate (an estimate is okay):
2/26/2018
Where did you get your pet?:
At a pet store mall. Adopted him when he was 3 months old exactly. I have all of his pure bred paperwork and birth certificates and vaccination records.
Adoption Day (when did you adopt your pet? An estimate is okay.):
5/26/2018
Size (at full-grown):
Medium
Weight (in pounds, at full-grown size):
50
Primary Color:
Calico/Multi/Tricolor
What are your pet's favorite toys and activities?:
He loves a tennis ball to play fetch and a bone to chew on.
Has your dog received any formal obedience training?:
Yes
What commands does your dog know?:
He knows sit, stay, wait, shake, rollover, he knows “quit begging”, he knows to wait to eat his food until you say “go ahead”, he knows gentle, he knows not to lick faces.
How does your dog react to being left alone for short periods?:
I used to work 40 hours a week and he is crate trained.
Are there any specific triggers that cause your dog anxiety or stress?:
The door bell and children cause him anxiety. He will bark when new strangers come into the home but it is out of fear. Once they have been in the home for a few minutes I can let him in our out of his crate around them and he is fine. I have constantly had friends and people come in to let him go potty while at work and he was great with them. He is good at sending a threat and sensing when people are good.
Is there a daily routine that works well for your dog (feeding, walking, sleep)?:
He likes being an inside dog but loves going to the park to play fetch or playing fetch inside. Loves training and learning commands. Very treat driven.
Medical History and Care:
Vaccinations up to date
Spayed or Neutered
House/Litter-Trained
Microchipped
Special Diet
Special Needs
Does your pet have any history of health issues or medical conditions that potential adopters should be aware of?:
He had 2 teeth removed last year due to chipping a tooth when catching a baseball that was accidentally thrown to him.
Has your dog ever shown any challenging behaviors, such as biting a person or another pet? If so, please share some context.:
Yes. He barks at the doorbell - he always has and I have failed at trying to train him to stop, any of my methods have not worked. He gets nervous around children and will try to bite them out of fear if he gets scared. He also has leash aggression- plus great with other dogs at the park but when walking on a leash he barks when another dog walks by. But he responds well when you make him sit while they walk by and correct the behavior.
How often does your dog require grooming (e.g., bathing, brushing, trimming)? :
He does shed a lot. The hair on his butt get matted easily and requires to be brushed or trimmed monthly.
Does your dog have a dental care routine (e.g., brushing, chews, professional cleanings)?:
I give him dental chews
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
How is your dog with other dogs?:
Selective: Gets along with some dogs but not others.
How is your dog with cats?:
Not sure: Haven't had enough interaction to determine.
What's the most endearing thing about your dog?:
He is my boy and has been my day 1 for 7 years. He is extremely loyal and loves a good butt scratch. He will follow me whenever I allow him to. When I met my husband he did and still does always try to protect me. When my husband gets too playful he will sit and not leave my side and watch him always to make sure I am safe. He does the same thing for my daughters when others hold them. He gives the best puppy dog eyes and loves going on hikes.
What criteria are important to you when considering an adoptive family or home for your pet?:
It is important and best he thrives in his new home I would like him to find his forever home. He would thrive the best in a home of either an elderly couple, a household with no children, or a single individual looking for man’s best friend. It’s important to me that he goes into a new home where he would not be locked up in a crate or outside all hours of the day. If someone is familiar with the breed of a Shetland sheepdog or a collie that would be preferred because they are accustomed to their barking habits and do not mind as much.
Why are you rehoming your pet (primary reason)?:
Personal Problems
Details about rehoming reason (if needed):
Zazu is my best friend and has been for the last seven years! His paperwork says he is full Shetland Sheepdog. But he resembles a bit more on the Collie side. I have always thought he was part collie and part Sheltie because he weighs 50lbs so big for a sheltie but small for a collie. Looks sheltie in the face. Before meeting my family, it was just me and him. We went hiking a lot and he loved just being around me. He loves training and picks up new commands very quickly with consistent training. He loves playing fetch at any point of the day inside or outside. He loves the beach, fetch, and loves napping in his crate. his favorite snack is bananas, steak, and dog friendly vanilla ice cream. He has always been my protector and had very strong instincts. He does bark whenever strangers come into the home but it out of fear rather than aggression. Once I out him outside or in his crate when a stranger comes in, I will let him out and he has never attacked or hurt any friend or person in our home. His bark just sounds intense and intimidating whenever the door bell rings. He does have leash aggression and will bark at another dog if you are not on top of training queues. But he is not necessarily aggressive towards other dogs overall (only when walking on a leash he barks at them). I make him sit and wait while holding a training treat and having him close to me while other dogs walk past us. But if he is tired from the park or a walk then he won’t notice them. We did introduce a second dog into our home two years ago and had no issues with that. I have also brought him to family’s houses with a dog and he played just fine. The reason I am unfortunately looking to re home him is due to my children. He was never great around them, he always got bad anxiety and I managed it well by creating a safe space for him. But when I brought my first daughter home from the hospital he did nip at her. I figured it was due to him never seeing an infant and him being used to just me and him for the first 4 years of his life. I worked with him on it and my first daughter is now 3 and he has adjusted well. He has bonded with her and become protective of her, even with my husband. But we now have a 4 week old baby and he nipped at her as well. As he is getting older (now 7) he is becoming more protective of me and grouchy towards my kids. My daughter accidentally stepped on his back paw and he would normally never do anything but he tried to bite her. He also still tries to nip towards the baby at times. He has never showed aggression towards adults but only towards my girls and it has progressed since he gets older. I do not see my dog as aggressive but I always promised to my put my children first. He would do great in a home with either no children or any older couple. He flourishes in a home where he is the only dog. I used to work 40 hours a week so he is used to being crate trained during the day but flourishes when able to get to play fetch inside or outside. He makes a great companion for a single person looking for their best friend and a couple with no children. Once again he responds well and loves training sessions with treats. He can learn a new commend or trick in less than 48 hours and have it stick. He is 7 now and would love to find his forever home. I have cried several times typing him as this is a hard decision but I know it is best for him because he doesn’t deserve to just be out in his crate more and more due to my children when I know someone else can give him the life and home he deserves.
If applicable, do you have the legal right or necessary permission from the breeder or rescue organization to rehome this pet? :
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?:
Mission Valley Pet Clinic
What do you feed your pet, and does he/she have any feeding quirks or preferences?:
He eats science diet brand. He is trained to where I put the food in his bowl and he sits and waits until I tell him to go ahead and eat.
Do you currently have pet insurance?:
No
Would you consider a long-distance adoption?:
City, State:
Seal Beach, CA
How did you hear about us?:
Google Search
Service Level:
Courtesy Listing: Self-Managed (Free)
