Bear - super cuddly and friendly

Bear is an easy-going, affectionate young, large boy!

He loves a pat, brush, cuddle, well - any attention at all really. Bear adores everyone, stops and wags his tail at any new people, dogs, cats, even trams! He’s curious, and not anxious or nervous to new experiences. In short, a friendly boy who will take anything in his stride. There is a really chilled side that will only develop more with age and further training.

He does like to say hello by jumping on people and mouthing when excited so training around this is advisable. He likes being with his people hence can be demanding to be where he shouldn’t be! I’ve had him inside, but it will take a bit more practice before he is ready for unsupervised inside time. Bear is toilet trained.

Despite the usual puppy/adolescent stuff and needing a bit more formal training – particularly necessary given his size - he has some lovely independence, and mostly calm during the daytime when I’m at work, and is happy to amuse himself with toys and bones. Already waiting calmly for food and making progress at calmly waiting at doors. Bear responds well to treats and verbal commands. I really think with patience and a bit of routine he’ll fairly easily get over those couple of quirks and be an all-round brilliant dog. A firm hand and puppy classes advised though, just because of his happy confidence, strength and size.

No aggression at all with other dogs he has met thus far or new people. Absolutely lovely temperament (I think the nurse at the vet wanted to keep him he was so well behaved there). He hasn’t had a chance for off-lead plays with dogs, but when we’ve met dogs on lead he’s shown excellent manners and been equally easy going with every dog we’ve come across. I use a ‘gentle leader’ for walks and while he is a little all over the place still, but he doesn’t pull and I can walk him very easily with relaxed grip despite his 32 kilos of muscle.

He would love lots of company and exercise in his new home. He’d be great with another large dog I suspect. I don’t know how he would go with a cat or small dog, loving them too much and wanting to play would be the only problem though.

If you would like to meet Bear, please complete an adoption interest form at:

http://www.startingoverdogrescue.org.au/adoption--expression-of-interest-form.html