Steven ~ border collie x (pending trial 24/11/17)

Steven is a Border Collie x, approximately 1 year old. At the tender age of about 6 to 8months old, Steven’s world turned upside down, when he was dropped off at night into the afterhours holding cage at the pound. He was a scared and timid boy with no name, microchip or history. But his luck soon changed when he was rescued by Dog Rescue Newcastle.

Steven is a great family dog with a lot of charm and character. He loves chasing a ball non-stop and will chase the water out of the hose until you're exhausted. Being a young working breed dog, he has a fair amount of energy, meaning he needs to be played with and taken for walks daily. Mental stimulation, ie: training, learning tricks is also another way to utilize his energy. His lead skills aren’t the greatest as he is quite sensitive to the environment around him, which causes him to lose focus and he does get a bit worked up if he hears/sees other dogs. He will need training in this department. He responds well to basic commands and whilst most people chuckle and comment on his name, Steven loves his name and has great name recall. He is house trained and since being in care he has been an inside/outside dog. Steven really loves his people and just wants to know what you’re up to and make sure he isn’t left out. Family and having a stable home means a lot to this gorgeous boy.

It’s important to say that Steven does need an understanding family/owner who will give him time to settle and adjust without expectations; to put in the effort with training and to allow him to be a part of the family. Without knowing anything about the beginnings of Steven’s life, we are presuming that it wasn’t that great and being a working breed, he hasn’t been shown how to use his energy properly, or been socialized properly. As a result, Steven sometimes comes across as being “protective” or “reactive” and this is just because he came without knowing his place in life or how to act in it. The “protectiveness/reactiveness” is mostly just a fear based quality that Steven has developed to cope with scary situations and is not a part of his true nature. He spent an afternoon with a dog trainer and in that time, Steven went from being fearful and anxious towards the trainer, to following him around off a lead, listening and responding to all his commands. Within the same afternoon, Steven also went from being confused and scared about meeting dogs to being introduced to the trainer’s dogs (7 of them) and being with them in the yard without any reaction. It's essential that training, with patience, positive reinforcement and kindness is continued to allow Steven to shine.

He has been in care for the past 6 months, living with two Border Collie X’s and 3 humans, including two young children. He gets on well with all the family and visitors and is great with kids of all ages, including the youngest who is only 18mths old. Steven is quite often surrounded by numerous kids at one time, absolutely enjoying their attention. Steven is great friends with the 2 dogs that he is living with. Cats and pocket pets aren’t recommended.

With a genuine willingness to commit to Steven and his training, his new family/owner will certainly be rewarded with an amazing friend, full of fun, love and character.

For more information or to meet Steven, please contact his foster carer Olivia on 0488 749 720 or email horvat13@gmail.com. Steven is in foster care in Cessnock, NSW (Hunter Valley, west of Newcastle) and is available for adoption interstate.

Steven's adoption fee is $450 and he is desexed, vaccinated, treated for fleas and worms, microchipped, and lifetime registered.

You can see all our available dogs at www.dogrescuenewcastle.com.au