Indigo - Indeed a Good Boy! - Mutt Male Dog For Adoption in Oakhurst, New Jersey, USA

Dog Breed: Australian Cattle Dog/Blue Heeler / Mixed (short coat).

NJ Meet Indigo and his cool ears! Indigo is in a NJ foster home. Indigo was adopted through Wag On Inn about 4 years ago, but returned after his family had a baby. Indy is doing so well with training and we are proud of him! We are happy to share his training plan! Indigo will require an adopter willing to continue his training and manage his meets with new friends to ensure success. Please see his foster mom's shared details below in the foster feature. Indigo is up to date with vaccines, preventatives, and is microchipped and neutered. Could this handsome sweet guy be your new best friend? Indigo's adoption fee is $500. Foster Feature General Personality: Indigo (Indy) is a sensitive, alert, and loyal dog who forms strong bonds with the people he trusts. He is generally friendly and comfortable meeting new people — including children — when he’s out of the house, but he becomes much more cautious when unfamiliar people approach his home. Indy is smart, observant, and always wants to understand what’s happening around him. He thrives with routines, clear expectations, and patient introductions. With continued work on confidence-building and positive associations, he is learning that new people don’t have to be scary. Indy’s breed mix — 32% Australian Cattle Dog, 26% German Shepherd Dog, and 19% Chihuahua — gives him strong herding and protective instincts, along with a little extra spunk and energy. He is most relaxed after he’s had a chance to “play herd,” whether that’s playing fetch, chasing squirrels out of the yard, or engaging in other mentally stimulating activities. Daily Routine: Potty break first thing in the morning, followed by breakfast, then a walk and/or game of fetch. He then waits patiently while his foster mom works from home, with another pee break mid day, followed by a kong stuffed with wet food. After 5pm, he enjoys playtime, dinner around 6pm, another walk, snuggles on the couch, and a final potty break right before going to sleep in his crate around 10pm. On weekends he enjoys going to the park or boardwalk or playing with the neighbor's dogs. Is the dog housebroken? Yes Behavior Around Dogs, Cats, or Kids: Indy is generally friendly and a bit submissive with other dogs, and he does best with calm, predictable companions. He enjoys playing with other dogs, though he can become slightly protective of his toys during play. Indy did well during a controlled, indoor introduction to a cat, but outdoors he will try to chase cats, small animals, and even deer, so a cat-free home is likely best. He likes kids, but due to his sensitivity and need for structure when he feels nervous, Indy would do best in an adult-only home or one with older teens who understand dog body language and can help maintain a calm, predictable environment. Energy Rating (1 = very high; 5 = very low): 3 Leash Walking Rating (1 = difficult; 5 = perfect): 3 Leash Behaviors: Indigo walks well on leash in familiar, low-stimulation environments and stays attentive to his handler. He will sometimes pull and bark when he notices cats, squirrels, rabbits or deer, especially if they are running. He is generally friendly with other dogs that he meets on walks and enjoys going for "pack" walks with other friendly dogs. Crate Rating When Left Alone: Loves the crate and stays in it quite often during the day without the prompting Does the dog sleep through the night? Yes What makes him/her happy? Belly rubs! Also, Indy loves having a job. Playing fetch in the yard, chasing after toys, and doing training sessions all make him happy. He enjoys tearing apart squeaky toys, patrolling the yard, and keeping an eye on activity around the house. He also loves being close to his trusted people — once someone is in his circle, he is affectionate, loyal, and eager to check in with them. He thrives on predictable routines, praise, and opportunities to use his brain and herding instincts in a positive way. What makes him/her nervous or unhappy? Indy can become anxious with sudden movements or noises, unfamiliar visitors approaching the home, or any situation where he feels he needs to “protect” his territory. Car rides can also be stressful — he stays on high alert the entire time, watching the view closely as if trying to determine the destination. Indy generally does well in new environments as long as he is with a person he knows and trusts, which helps him feel grounded and secure. Other Quirks: Indy takes his perceived “job” very seriously — he likes to patrol the yard, monitor the perimeter, and make sure everything is in order. He loves shredding toys and cardboard boxes, but we have never seen him try to steal, chew on, or eat anything he wasn’t given, which makes him very trustworthy around the house. His pointy ears perk up at words he recognizes, like “treat,” “walk,” or “car.” He often brings a toy with him when greeting people, and he enjoys training sessions as long as treats are involved. Indy knows several basic commands, including “sit,” “down,” “come,” “spin,” “wait,” and “paw,” and he responds well to calm, structured guidance. Other Displayed Behaviors: Indy is generally very well-behaved with people he knows and trusts. He looks to his familiar humans for guidance and settles nicely when he feels secure. However, he will need ongoing training and structure to help him continue learning how to respond appropriately when he’s nervous or unsure. With patient handling, positive reinforcement, and consistent routines, Indy is already making steady progress in building confidence and managing his reactions. Current Walking Device: Leash with martingale collar Currently Eating: Dry food twice per day and wet food frozen inside a kong once per day