Stella

🐾 Meet Stella – A Smart Girl Looking for Guidance and a Fresh Start 🐾

Stella is a clever, friendly girl who has plenty of potential and is looking for someone who can give her the time, confidence and guidance she needs to thrive. She can be a little nervous in new or overstimulating environments, but she loves people and is generally more interested in meeting the humans than the dogs when out on walks. She can be quite excitable when greeting people and is prone to jumping up, so she’ll need someone willing to work on her manners and help her learn to greet people calmly.

Stella has an energetic side but is also happy to relax at home once she’s had a decent walk. A brisk 45-minute walk a day has been her usual routine, and she absolutely loves squeaky toys. She enjoys car rides, is toilet trained and knows commands including sit and down, although her recall can be selective. Like many clever, active dogs, she would benefit from ongoing training and mental stimulation.

Stella can get along well with other dogs, particularly larger ones, but she needs careful management around smaller dogs. Her foster carer reports that she was comfortable with the larger dogs at the dog park, but when a small dog appeared, Stella began circling it and growling. She has also snapped at another dog in the past, so she’ll need thoughtful introductions and an owner who understands dog body language and can manage these situations safely.

Stella has lived with a cat and was comfortable sharing the home, including allowing the cat into bedrooms. However, she would warn the cat off if it tried to join her and her owner on the lounge. She also has a strong interest in chasing birds and other small animals, and her herding instincts can extend to trying to round up people by nipping at their ankles. For these reasons, a home without small animals would be preferable, and any home with cats would need careful consideration and management. She has not been tested with livestock.

Stella has shown that she can be gentle with children, and her foster family recommends children aged seven and over. However, her tendency to jump up and herd people by nipping at their ankles means she may be overwhelming for younger children. Older, dog-savvy children who can follow instructions and respect her boundaries would be a better fit.

Stella is currently struggling with being left alone for 10–14 hours a day, and separation anxiety has become an issue. She needs a home where she won’t be left for such long stretches, ideally with someone who works from home or part-time. She isn’t especially clingy, but she likes knowing someone is around. Her owner also reports that she may growl if startled while sleeping, so she’ll need a home where she can rest undisturbed and where her boundaries are respected.

Stella would suit someone with dog experience, a quieter lifestyle and the time to invest in building her confidence and continuing her training. With consistent guidance, suitable exercise and company throughout the day, she has the opportunity to become a wonderful companion. She’s a smart girl who needs someone to help her make good choices and bring out the best in her.

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

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