Sage

Meet Sage – The sweetest and most affectionate girl

32kg Staffy Cross | Female | 14 months old | Toilet Trained

Located in Viewbank, Vic

Sage is a sweet, loving and trusting girl who is looking for a home where she can be your loyal sidekick and snuggle buddy. Sage has had many homes in her young life and really needs some stability as she matures. While Sage needs some ongoing training (mostly to contain her exuberance), she really just needs people who will love her and be there for her (forever really...).

She absolutely adores people and thrives on human companionship. Whether she’s curled up beside you on the couch or trying to sneak into your lap (yes, all 32kg of her), Sage is happiest when she’s close to her humans.

Sage has a low to medium energy level. She currently gets a 40-minute walk a day, paired with enrichment activities like food puzzles, games of hide and seek, or a few rounds of fetch or tug. While she can get a bit jumpy when excited, her behavior has improved significantly in 4 weeks with consistent guidance and training. She is still learning to manage her excitement, so ongoing positive reinforcement will help her continue to thrive.

Sage needs to be an indoor dog with supervised outdoor access. If the mood strikes, she may chase birds/ critters and will attempt to jump a fence or dig under a fence. While these escape attempts are rare, it can happen when she is feeling frisky or not getting enough exercise/ engagement. She has jumped low fences in the past so minimum 6-foot-high fences required; fencing must be solid and secure with no loose palings.

She is not a shy dog and is confident in new environments. Strangers (young or old) don't faze her.

She walks well on leash, particularly on familiar routes. She can be reactive to some dogs on leash (particularly those that bark at her), but she is learning to redirect her behaviour and responds well to food rewards. Sage can pull when agitated so a strong handler is required.

Sage is food-motivated but not obsessive, making her a responsive and eager student. She learns new cues and games quickly, particularly when using her favourite treats.

Sage would thrive in a home where people are around more often than not. While she can be left alone (have trialled for up to 4ish hours), she doesn't relax fully—she might bark or whine for the first few minutes before settling into short naps interspersed with a bit of pacing. She's making great progress sleeping in a crate in the bedroom, though she currently enjoys human bed privileges (she’s recovering from surgery and wearing a cone, which made crate use tricky). She is toilet trained and will hold it until she is let out to relieve herself.

Sage is still a puppy so management of your home environment is important. Specifically - shoes, stationery, and anything plasticky (like a hair brush) should be kept out of reach while she’s learning what’s a toy and what's not.

Has lived with teenagers in the past and would be best suited to households with kids over 12years old.

Sage is a loving, sensitive soul who just wants to be near her people. If you’re looking for a sweet, snuggly companion who’s eager to learn and grow with you, Sage may be your perfect match.

Adoption inquiries welcome – she can’t wait to meet her forever person(s).

Summary

Recommend only dog household for now (while she builds her confidence around other dogs - training starting soon)✅

Great with older kids (over 12) and adults ✅

Very sweet and affectionate (no sign of aggression)✅

Not tested with younger kids or cats❓

Loves to snuggle with humans✅

Knows basic commands✅

Intelligent and a quick learner ✅

Loves playing hide/ seek, chase, fetch and tug✅

Toilet trained✅

Crate training in progress✅

Walks well on leash but can be reactive to dogs✅ (undergoing training)

Rides ok in the car ✅

Desexed, vaccinated and Microchipped ✅