Rascal

Beautiful Sweet Smiley Rascal is looking for a home and person to love. She is a people follower and is happiest just to be near you sitting on the floor -as she is with me now in the study as I write this about her.

If I'm in the kitchen she just plonks down on the floor nearby and waits and then moves with me into the lounge after dinner again just to sit next to me on the floor waiting for and invitation to snuggle with me on the couch -- she never asks or helps herself, she just waits patiently at my feet until invited.

She was recently picked to go on trial with a professional couple but didn't cope being left alone for the whole day, so while they were at work she escaped the backyard and went wandering possibly looking for company or her new people. Because of this she'll need either a home with another dog to keep her company, a person who works from home or can take her to work with them or, a retired person/s who is home a lot.

Rascal is in foster care with four other dogs and two cats all of which she gets along with and has proven to be happy hanging in the yard with one or more of the dogs when left for long periods and has made no attempts at escaping, she also didn't in her other foster home with the company of other dogs -- so I am confident being alone was the trigger of her past escaping adventures.

Rascal has shown some lead aggression towards other dogs in the past. First when coming into foster care and when on her trial adoption at an off leash dog park.
So because of this she has been reassessed and its been discovered she's actually highly nervous when meeting new dogs and gives subtle indications of this when approaching them, well before any aggression is shown. She will best be suited to a experienced owner who can recognize this & who is prepared to work with her to build her confidence and trust. She actually loves other dogs and will play with them all day once she gets to know them.

She has attended obedience class with me mainly to asses her "lead aggression" and in a building with approx. 150 dogs and owners I didn't see any aggression at all from her, only the signs indicating her nervousness telling me why it may have happened in the past. She was focused on me and once she realized she was safe she began relaxing & picking up the exercises super fast.
This sort of environment is controlled as there is no chance of another dog running up to her unexpectedly and gives her a chance to learn to trust her handler and feel safe around other dogs. Ongoing regular obedience training and controlled socialization is strongly advised as it will help her develop a strong bond with her new family.
RASCAL IS NOT SUITED to be an off lead dog and would not cope in an "off leash" dog area (on lead or not) as you have no control over other dogs rushing up to meet her and she will find this far to stressful!!!!!

She is a very smart dog and picks up new things very fast, she is learning to sit EVERY time when asked and hold a sit until told otherwise, she has learned to sleep all night in a crate and even chooses to sit in there when she's bored of following me around, she travels well in the car, has learned not to rush in and out of doorways & up on furniture until invited and walks calmly around inside which means she presents with beautiful house manners.

Overall Rascal has a beautiful nature, is sweet and happy, has the best double smile you have ever seen and with the right dedicated owner who's committed to her ongoing training, she'll make a ripper dog and I have no doubt if you come and meet her it'll be love at first sight!

If you are interested to meet her please fill out an adoption interest form at www.startingoverdogrescue.org.au and the carer will contact you.