Foster Dog: Scooby Doo
Foster Dog Location (city): North Chesterfield, VA
Gender: Male (a Golden Retriever/Great Pyrenees mix)
Age/weight: 1 year, 3 months/74 pounds
Spayed/Neutered: Yes
Adoption Fee: $550
Basic intro/highlights
General Activity Level: Very high energy level – happy, goofy, affectionate, and loves to go, go, go.
Interaction with dogs: While Scooby LOVES people, he’s much less of a fan with dogs. He can be reactive towards other dogs, so being the single dog in the house would be best. Our trainer has said that with continued training and socialization this will improve.
Also, he loves to chase squirrels and deer.
Interaction with cats: No interaction to date that we know of.
Interaction with children: Older children, 6+, would be best due to his large size and high energy.
Physical fence required? Absolutely YES, he loves to run when he gets the opportunity, and so is a huge flight risk. He loves to run so much he won’t come back. A large yard, enclosed with a solid wood 6’ high privacy fence, is essential for his happiness and safety. Since he needs room, an apartment setup would not work.
Is physical fence an absolute requirement, or flexible? Absolute requirement –he has to be in an enclosed space when outside, or on a leash.
How many hours are they able to be left alone? 8 hours – a typical workday.
Able to climb stairs? Yes
Health concerns: We have found him to have food sensitivities, which unchecked may lead to digestive issues and weight loss. He has reacted best to Hills Science Diet Z/D (by vet prescription) being fed both the dry kibble as a base, and wet Z/D as a food topper. He does not do well with high-fat foods.
What basic commands are known? Sit, lay down.
Reliable or still learning? He is eager to learn and reacts very well to verbal praise. He needs to continue with his training (both formal and informal). We are finding that consistent practice with him is key to retention.
Does he or she walk on a leash, and what do you use (collar, harness, etc.)? He is learning how to walk on a leash without pulling. We use a variety of leashes (retractable, traditional, and a 21-foot training leash) in combination with a collar and harness. He really enjoys the freedom the 21-foot training leash provides.
In need of obedience training? Yes, he needs ongoing training, as he can be stubborn (though is highly intelligent). He is extremely proud when he gets it right!
Personality and additional information:
Scooby thinks he is a big lap dog and loves to cuddle on the couch and roll on the bed. Really likes gentle physical contact – being brushed/groomed, scratched on his head, rubbed on his face and belly, etc. He’s extremely affectionate and loyal; he likes to patrol the house at night and scan out the windows to protect ‘his people.’ If he sees something alarming, he will bark a warning. He’ll make a good protective companion.
He lives to play – he really needs an active family to help him work out his energy, that can give him the physical exercise and playtime he craves.
He likes to chew, and so hard, filled bones are a favorite, along with bouncy balls that squeak and are easy to carry. Loves playing with soft toys and running/playing tug of war with stolen towels. Tears both up very quickly however (close supervision is needed when playing with these).
When he gets too excited and starts barking, like when thunderstorms come through, a vacuum cleaner is turned on, or gets too worked up from play, we’ve found a soft voice is a lot more calming and effective than loud correction. Calming voices force him to focus.
Is crate trained, though he doesn’t like going in. Will bark and ‘talk’ to let you know when he needs something.
He is a very good, sweet, affectionate boy, who will make an excellent protector and play companion to a lucky family, single person, or couple.