Meet Ollie | Rehome With Love

Seeking a Loving Forever Home for Oliver

It is with heavy hearts that we are looking to re-home our sweet, handsome boy, Oliver. This decision has not been made lightly, and we are committed to finding him exactly the right home where he can thrive.

Oliver is a 6-year-old Husky/Shepherd mix, weighing in at 65 lbs of pure loyalty and personality. He is a remarkably well-trained dog. Fully house-trained, comes when called reliably, walks beautifully on leash, and has mastered basic commands including sit, down, stay, and even roll over. He is not a flight risk and walks off leash well. He is highly food-motivated (read: peanut butter), which makes continued training a genuine joy. He is fully vaccinated, up to date on his annual physicals, and in excellent health.

Oliver is an independent soul. Easy to love and easy to care for, though he's not much of a snuggler and tends to prefer his own space. He's the kind of dog who will be loyal and low-maintenance and takes very little time to stake out his space and take long naps.

A note for transparency: Oliver does not do well around young children who haven't yet learned to respect a dog's boundaries. He can be reactive around food and other resources (resource guarding), which is why we feel it's the right thing to re-home him as we look toward starting a family. We took Ollie in a little over a year ago from some friends who had a child that they didn't feel was safe around him. Oliver's reactivity has led to several bites that cannot be overlooked by whoever is willing to consider bringing him into their home. He has never bitten us while caring for him, but he can be unsettled when new visitors come and try to approach him without respecting his space. There have been several instances where he has bitten the hands of friends - usually triggered by food or approaching him when he's lying down.

He is also currently on a once-daily anxiety medication, though we believe that with open space and a calm, settled environment, he may not need it long-term.

Oliver's ideal home would be:
✔️ Free of young children
✔️ Spacious — a home with room to roam would be wonderful
✔️ With an experienced dog owner or family who understands and is comfortable managing resource guarding behaviors
✔️ Patient and willing to give him the peace and space he deserves

Oliver is a beautiful dog with so much love to give on his own terms. He deserves a home that understands him, and we truly believe the right family is out there.

If you think that might be you, please don't hesitate to reach out.

Pet's Name: Oliver

Dog: Primary Breed: Siberian Husky

Birthdate (an estimate is okay): 01/28/2020

Age Category: Adult

Where did you get your pet?: Rescue

Was this pet ever in a shelter, rescue, or foster program? If yes, please provide details.: He was a rescue

Adoption Day (when did you adopt your pet? An estimate is okay.): 04/12/2025

Gender: Male

Size (at full-grown): Large

Approximate adult weight in pounds (number only): 60

Primary Color: Black

What are your pet's favorite toys and activities?: Ollie loves going on hikes, jumping in water and chasing sticks

Has your dog received any formal obedience training?: No

What commands does your dog know?: Sit, Lay Down, "Go Home" to go to crate, Spin, Paw

How does your dog react to being left alone for short periods?: He's very comfortable at home alone

Are there any specific triggers that cause your dog anxiety or stress?: Yes, he get's overstimulated when more than a few people are over or if he's touched while eating or chewing on a bone

Is there a daily routine that works well for your dog (feeding, walking, sleep)?: He eats in the morning and evening and is very easy on a leash. Ollie will match whatever your routines are and is happy to go on long walks or short ones

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 takes Reconcile for his separation anxiety every morning

Has your dog ever been diagnosed with or treated for any of the following? (Please check all that apply, even if your dog has fully recovered. This helps us provide the best support for future families.):

Allergies (environmental or food-related)

Anaplasmosis (tick-borne)

Anxiety Issues

Arthritis or Joint Pain

Canine Distemper

Chronic Ear Infections

Dental Disease

Ehrlichiosis (tick-borne)

Heartworm

Influenza

Kennel Cough

Leptospirosis

Lipomas, Cysts, or Other Lumps/Bumps

Lyme Disease

Parvovirus

Seizures

Skin Conditions

Vaccine Reactions

Other

Has your dog ever shown any challenging behaviors, such as biting a person or another pet? If so, please share some context.: He doesn't do well with other dogs, particularly if they encroach on his space quickly. Can warm to them but often gives a warning snap. With people, he's good most of the time, but is reactive in specific situations and has bitten people before. He's particularly territorial around food and has typically had reactive issues when being disturbed while eating or if being pet when he doesn't want or expect it.

How often does your dog require grooming (e.g., bathing, brushing, trimming)? : We groom him once every 4-6 months

Does your dog have a dental care routine (e.g., brushing, chews, professional cleanings)?: No

Personality:

Playful

Constant Companion

High Energy

Medium Energy

Low Energy

Timid

Friendly to Strangers

Good with Other Dogs

Good with Cats

Good with Young Children

Bonded Pair

Purebred

Crate Trained

Comes When Called

Needs Training

Likes Car Rides

Likes to Swim

Requires A Fenced Yard

Jumps Fences

Growls at Strangers

Is Afraid of Storms

Digs

How is your dog with children?: Best in a home without children: Has reacted to children and should live in a home without them.

How is your dog with other dogs?: Best as the only dog: Has reacted to other dogs and should live in a home without them.

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 really attuned to your mood and will get excitable when you express enthusiasm but is comfortable chilling out on his own! He's a ton of fun to take outdoors and see run freely - particularly if there's a river or stream. He's a very smart young lad and always curious about what's happening around him.

What criteria are important to you when considering an adoptive family or home for your pet?: Someone who is empathetic and sensitive to his disposition and can read a dog's mannerisms well. Ideally someone who has dealt with a reactive dog in the past or who lives in an environment which doesn't have many triggers.

Is there anything else you'd like your pet's new family to know?: Ollie requires a certain degree of patience and is reactive around certain triggers

Why are you rehoming your pet (primary reason)?: Baby/Child Safety

Details about rehoming reason (if needed): My wife and I took Ollie in from our friends because they didn't feel like their infant was safe around him. He can be aggressive at times and does best to not be in an overly stimulating environment.

If applicable, do you have the legal right or necessary permission from the breeder or rescue organization to rehome this pet? :

Not Applicable

Yes

How long will you be able to keep your pet before you may need to consider surrendering him or her to a rescue?: Three months

What do you feed your pet, and does he/she have any feeding quirks or preferences?: Salmon kibble from Costco

Do you currently have pet insurance?: No

Would you consider a long-distance adoption?:

Yes

Maybe

City, State: Washington, DC

Zip Code: 20009

How did you hear about us?: Google Search

Service Level: Tailored Placement: Full Support for Behavioral or Medical Needs