Bodie

Bodie is impeccably trained, loyal, intelligent, affectionate, and endearing.

He is is a spritely gentleman with plenty of K’s left who also enjoys a good laze around!

If you want a dog who will enjoy a walk with you and then be happy to enjoy some sleep in the sun while you work, who will keep watch over you and your home and who will me your shadow Bodie may be your good boy. 

Bodi is not a fan of strangers, small children, or people on wheels and needs a home where he won't be expected to associate with either. He is largely indifferent to most dogs though (unless they have a shepherd look that reminds him of a negative experience he had as a lad and he goes into scare it away mode). Conveniently he is very clear with signaling his emotions and relies on his trusted humans to guide him. 

Bodie is living with his lifelong owners and this is what they have to say about him:

Bodie is an incredibly intelligent, healthy, and energetic 9-year-old and he’s been with the same owners for 8 years. We rescued him and loved him for so long with all his quirks. We have managed his anxiety with gentle boundaries and a lot of training. But he has not been able to acclimatize to the newest family member, a 13-month-old human baby. It’s too stressful, for him and for us and he needs a quieter retirement. 

Bodie loves cuddles and playtime, fetch, and can even put the ball back in your hand, but prefers tug of war. He doesn’t resource guard food and will give you almost anything you ask for, unless he’s decided there’s a fun game to be had. He isn't great with strangers at the house when they first come over but settles within minutes if they’re friendly and calm. He really doesn’t like the postie or couriers and must be kept away, but will happily go into a room while you tend to the mail. 

He is 100% an inside dog, and would love to sleep on the couch but can easily learn new boundaries if you want him on his own bed. Not crate trained, but that could be a possibility with enough support. 

He can walk well on a leash but has a few triggers and a high prey drive that needs to be preempted with treats or redirection: big fluffy dogs, cats, skateboards, kids on scooters, and sometimes motorbikes. If you’re prepared, he will heel or sit as the scary thing goes past, if an appropriate distance is maintained. But German Shepherds and Huskies must be avoided. He has never bitten his owners even when very stressed by these dogs. He is not a dog park dog.

The perfect home is one that is calm and gentle, and devoted to giving him all of the love he deserves. He loves cuddles and spooning and even watches TV. His new family will need to continue with gentle training, and give lots of enrichment activities and mental stimulation. He enjoys training and would be the happiest boy if his family can continue to teach him lots of cool new tricks, of which he already knows a lot (inc: shake, sit, drop, sit pretty, wait, here, roll over, to name a few), whilst continuing to help him keep calm and relaxed in a new home. 

He will need to be the only pet in the home, but, once bonded with you he will never leave your side! He will protect the house when you’re gone and will enthusiastically greet you when you’re home. He can be alone most of the day if he gets a generous walk before you leave, and happy sleeping while you’re at work (even better if you give him a kong).

Not good with: Small kids, cats, or other dogs (some dogs may be ok, but he’s lived as the only dog most of his life). His new home will need to be adults only, or secondary-school-aged children or older who are dog savvy and want to join in on his journey.

Good with: devoting his time to his human, exercising them, scaring away potential threats, helping them taste test food, and reassuring them they are good and loved humans.

If I sound perfect for you, please complete the short adoption application form in the attached link, please note this is the only way your application will be considered: https://homelesshounds.com.au/adopt/dogs