Harley ~ gorgeous 1.5yo Maremma (On Trial 11/4/20)

I'm Harley, a 1.5 year old male Maremma. I'm like a really huge puppy - I'm cute and playful, but I still need to learn a few things. I wasn't taught much before so now I want a really great family who will help me learn and spend lots of time with me.

Now I know I look cute and you've already fallen in love with me, but that love might wear thin when I act like a teenager and refuse to get off the lounge/bed or I bark all the time or I remind you that I want attention by giving you gentle nips. I can very easily fall into bad behaviour so I need someone who is going to put lots of time in to make sure I turn into the best dog I can be. My foster mum corrects me when I nip and makes me sit before I get pats so I'm quickly learning to be good.

I'm a Maremma so I'm a big dog. I'm really enthusiastic about getting out of the door, but then I am happy to walk slowly with you for 1-2km with a good sniff here and there, then flopping at home again. I was surrendered with a leg wound (now healing) and I have a bit of an awkward walk. I put my left shoulder forward a bit and my back legs go a bit to the right so they don't hit my front legs. I run normally though so this shouldn't be a problem. I'm also still recovering from having double dewclaws removed from my back legs but they are healing well and I'm ok to go for walks now.

I can get bored easily and will investigate things to chew like my bed, lounge cushions, Lego pieces (so crunchy!) or I'll obsessively lick my legs which can cause sores. I am learning what I shouldn't chew, but it helps if I have toys of my own, some bones every now and then and some company. I like to be with people so I'll expect to be inside when people are home (I'm really well toilet-trained though) and sleep inside. I usually get along well with other dogs and wouldn't like to be an only dog. I'd particularly like another dog friend who is older and will help me behave well, but still young enough to be happy to play with me. I'm not sure how I'd go with cats or pocket pets, but I'm easygoing so I might be ok with a slow introduction.

I like kids and I am playful, but I'm too big for little kids and they might not understand when I don't want to play any more. I also can be interested in kids holding food so I need to learn human food is not dog food. Kids over 13 years old would be best - while I am currently living with kids younger than that, I am never left unsupervised with them. I am too big and strong for a kid to walk me and I was surrendered because I have a tendency to wander or get out the front door (I'm not an escape artist, my previous family didn't have proper fencing). I'm also not used to being brushed or having baths, but I'm learning. I still hate the hose.

I like to bark - it's a Maremma thing. I have the instinct to protect and guard my family so I bark a lot when I'm outside and there's a noise. I don't tend to bark inside unless there's someone at the door. I need to continue being socialised well, meeting lots of other dogs and people so I don't become too protective of my family. Someone with previous experience of my breed would be best because then they will understand me and not think I am just going to behave like a big floofy golden retriever (I look like one but I'm very different).

My foster carer loves me to bits so she isn't going to part with me unless I find a super-duper family who really ticks all the boxes. She knows I deserve the best home and with the right people, time and training then I will be the most wonderful dog.

If you're interested in adopting me then please fill out the adoption questionnaire here https://tinyurl.com/drnadopt or contact Sam at samantha.howe@gmail.com if you have any other questions. I am located near Toronto, Lake Macquarie, NSW.

My adoption fee is $600 and I am desexed, vaccinated, microchipped and treated for fleas and worms.