Koda

🐾 Meet Koda – The Gentle Shadow Who Loves to Cuddle 🐾

Koda is the kind of dog who steals hearts wherever he goes. Sweet, affectionate and incredibly people-focused, he's happiest when he's by your side. Whether he's following you from room to room, curled up beside you on the couch or flopping over for a belly rub, Koda simply loves being part of the family.

Still a young dog, Koda has a wonderful balance of playful energy and an easy-going nature. He loves carrying his favourite soft toys around the house, gently tossing them into the air and proudly showing them off. He's also discovered that chasing the hose on a warm day is great fun! Clever and eager to please, Koda is very food motivated and enjoys learning. He already knows sit, wait and shake, and would love a family who'll continue his training.

Koda has settled beautifully into home life and enjoys having a predictable routine. He's fully toilet trained, crate trained and has been faultless in the home. When he needs to go outside, he'll usually wait quietly by the door rather than bark, so his family just needs to keep an eye on his subtle cues. Once he's had his daily walk or playtime, he's more than happy to curl up in a cosy bed, in front of the fire or, if allowed, right beside his favourite person. He definitely prefers warm, comfortable spots over cold or rainy weather.

With new people or unfamiliar situations, Koda can be a little shy at first, but his gentle nature quickly shines through. He is affectionate and quite submissive with adults he trusts, and he has shown that he can be wonderfully gentle and patient with children when the adults around him provide clear leadership and boundaries. His foster family has young children and has had no problems with Koda, and this seems to come down to the consistent structure and clear hierarchy in his foster home. Koda understands that Mum and Dad are in charge, and he is expected to follow their lead.

Koda has now had three unsuccessful adoption placements, although the reasons have been different. His first return was because he was able to escape when left without his people, highlighting just how important secure fencing, gates and careful management are for this curious boy. His second and third adoption trials have both ended because of difficulties around children. In these new family environments, Koda has been too jumpy and excitable around the kids and can become a little bossy with them. This isn't aggression, but his enthusiasm and lack of self-control can be overwhelming for children, particularly when he isn't being given clear boundaries and direction.

Importantly, Koda's foster home provides us with a very different picture. He has returned to his foster family between placements and, despite living with young children, they have had no problems with him. The difference appears to be the clear structure and hierarchy in the household. Koda does best when adults confidently take the lead, establish boundaries and don't leave him to make his own decisions about how to interact with the children. His new family will need to understand this and be prepared to provide calm, consistent leadership from day one. Koda isn't looking for a household where he can run the show — he needs people who are confident enough to show him where he fits within the family.

Koda loves exploring the world with his nose and enjoys taking in every interesting scent on his walks. Because of his curious nature, he isn't a dog who can be trusted off lead in unfenced areas, and he'll need a home with secure fencing and owners who are diligent about gates and boundaries. His previous family adored him, but living on a rural property near bushland and the coast proved simply too tempting for this curious young explorer. In a secure suburban or semi-rural home where his curiosity can be safely managed, Koda is expected to thrive.

Koda plays well with other dogs and enjoys opportunities to socialise and make new friends, including successful daycare sessions that have helped build his confidence. During his recent adoption trial, he also had a carefully managed introduction to the family's cat and was calm, relaxed and respectful throughout, suggesting he has the potential to live successfully with a cat given appropriate introductions.

Koda loves company and forms strong bonds with his people. He enjoys car rides, happily accompanying his family on outings, and would love to be included in everyday adventures. While he can cope with short periods on his own, he'd be happiest in a home where someone is around for much of the day or where he can be involved in family life as much as possible.

Koda is a loyal, intelligent and affectionate young dog with plenty of love to give. He isn't necessarily the easiest family dog, and his new owners will need to be confident, consistent and prepared to provide clear boundaries and guidance. He needs a secure home, sensible management and adults who are willing to take responsibility for teaching him how to behave appropriately, particularly around children. In the right home, where he understands his place within the family and his people take the lead, Koda has shown us that he can be a wonderfully gentle, loving and rewarding companion.

6 GREAT REASONS TO ADOPT FROM SAFE:

1. Lifetime Support: If you can no longer care for your adopted pet, please inform SAFE, and we will do our best to help you find a suitable solution.
2. Discounted airfares: if applicable
3. Adoption fee includes vet check, first vaccination, microchip and desexing
4. Foster care instead of cage confinement, ensuring lots of love and socialisation
5. Speak directly with my foster carer
6. Quick response to your enquiry

APPLY TO ADOPT ME

Am I the one you have been looking for? Click the link and fill out the application with as much detail as possible. The more information you provide, the easier the adoption process will be, hopefully bringing us together sooner!