BRUTUS - AUSTRALIAN CATTLE DOG/BLUE HEELER (SHORT COAT) DOG FOR ADOPTION

Description

Dog Breed: Australian Cattle Dog/Blue Heeler (short coat). Location: Pittsburgh, PA. Meet Brutus. (AKA Bubba). This young dog was surrendered by an owner because they “didn’t have time” for him anymore and ended up on the super urgent list within days. Brutus is not for the faint of heart, but if you know cattle dogs, have patience and a commitment to training, you may have just been introduced to your BFF. He needs a strong leader who has the knowledge and the patience to work with him to make him feel secure and loved. Brutus is Wicked smart. I know, I know, he’s a cattle dog, he’s suppose to be smart. I’ve had cattle dogs for 25 years and he tops the list of all of my personal and foster dogs for smarts. He will sit back and observe what you are doing one time, and after that, he owns whatever you were doing. Stubborn—this dog is stubborn. He listens when I tell him to “get down” from the counter or the food bin, but he still has to check it out almost every time. All the while giving you side eye for interrupting his perusal of possible treats. Food Aggressive—I honestly never had a dog so food aggressive and had to reach out to a trainer for advice on how to manage it. I have seen a big improvement in 4 weeks from him. I can now feed him several feet away from my 2 personal dogs with no problem. I still keep an eye on eveyrone, but great progress in a short time. He is getting regular feedings on a schedule and it has definitely helped. Play time—throw the ball please. Brutus is very vocal and will drop the ball in front of you, bark, and wait for you to throw it. He so wants to play and be challenged. He knows sit, down, wait, get down, and leave. He walks well on a leash and LOVES a frozen shank bone. Brutus is housebroken and will go into a crate with a treat for enticement. He does bark initially, but will then settle down. This is all due to some separation anxiety, but again I have seen a marked improvement in the past month. He just needs a consistent schedule, patience and love. Brutus jumped up on the bed and snuggled up by my legs for the first time last night. It was a really big step for him. The first few times I would reach down to give him a pet he would give me a little growl like “Hey, what are you doing?”. Poor guy isn’t used to that, but we are getting there. You can tell Brutus just wants his person. On a side note, I’ve had 2 (1 currently) cattle dogs that had some “issues”. Anxiety, fear, stranger danger, and/or food guarding. They have both been extra work initially, AND both been my best dogs ever. IYKYK. Brutus is that guy. Please contact trearickcomcast Complete an Application: .acdra/adoption-application

• Physical Attributes

  Coat Length:

  Short

• Behavioral Characteristics

  OK with Dogs:	Yes
  Activity Level:	Highly Active
  Obedience Training:	Has Basic Training

• Personality

  Personality Characteristics

  Affectionate

• Additional Information

  Was the Dog Found

  No