Skipper

Gorgeous Skipper the stunning little Red Heeler baby is now seeking a home of his ownAt just 14 kilos and 5 months this stocky little fella will be typical heeler size at full growth The super-cute, super-smiley and super-cuddly Skipper is now ready to leave his pound-puppy past well behind him and settle down with his perfect forever family. This funny, playful and plucky little man is one of the most delightful pups to have ever come into foster care with his foster family - he is a friend to all people, respectful and playful with other dogs and is even a good companion to cats. With his quirky little expressive face (if it were possible to cross a red heeler with an Arctic Fox, Skipper would be their offspring!), wiggly-worm tail, eyes as black and deep as rockpools and a soft, fluffy coat like flecked snow, we know he will make a perfect addition to his new family. This little guy will provide a lifetime of pride, joy and canine friendship to whoever is lucky enough to adopt him. 
SOCIALISATIONSkipper has been fostered in a home with four large, boisterous resident dogs. He is very respectful of the bigger dogs and reads their body language well, but has grown in confidence with the friendliest of the three resident dogs - a large Golden Retriever. He has enjoyed playing wrestling and chasing games with him, and can often be found sitting atop the golden retriever just gnawing happily on the fur around his jowls. He would love a friendly, playful and tolerant older female dog in his new home who can keep up with his energy levels but who is able to curb his behaviour when he gets too boisterous. He would also thrive as a single dog provided his owner understands the physical and mental stimulation required to keep a working dog breed happy and healthy. Skipper has been in foster care with three cats and behaves well around them. He is generally disinterested in them, although will pounce at them in play if they’re silly enough to stay still on the ground for a few seconds longer than necessary. Resident cats who are confident around dogs will be able to put him in his place in no time. Skipper has also been in care with children aged 10 years and older and has loved being in their company. He is a confident pup who is still learning how to use his manners when greeting people and dogs. He does tend to jump up in excitement when he first wakes up or when his people come home after being out - however this is easily managed by ignoring the jumping and rewarding good behaviour when he chooses to sit instead of jumping.  He is improving every day, and in a home with more time and attention to devote to reinforcing good behaviour, he will quickly learn the appropriate way to behave even when he is excited.  All puppies have sharp teeth but Skipper’s teeth are positively CROCODILIAN… and he proudly lives up to his puppy reputation as an “ankle biter” because if he’s feeling left out, he will use those crocodile teeth around your ankle to remind you that he would like some attention please! He will obviously grow out of this behaviour with age and continued positive reinforcement, but to ensure a successful long term outcome in his new home, Skipper will only be adopted into a family where any children are aged over 10 years and are confident around dogs. As with any pup, any children in the home must never be left alone with him, for the safety of all. Everyone in the home must also understand that he is still a young puppy who may exhibit typical young puppy behaviour for several months to come.EXERCISE AND ENRICHMENTSkipper’s stocky little heeler body leaves no doubt as to his ancestry - he is a true working dog breed with a busy, intelligent brain and a body which was born to move.  He will require a walk outside of his home each and every day of his life - please do not apply if you are not already an active person who loves the great outdoors as much as he does.  He would thrive being given a job to do in his new home to challenge his mind daily - this could be as simple as mental-stimulation toys or ongoing formal obedience training. Skipper has been walked each day whilst in care, mostly off lead in the back paddocks near his foster home.  He  loves his walks and stays close to his foster carer most of the time. He will take off for short bursts to catch up with his foster siblings but returns to his carer at full pelt as soon as he’s called. And Skipper coming back to you at top speed is an absolute joy to watch - with a huge smile on his face, and his ears flapping in the wind, showing just how much he loves to run and stretch his legs. Skipper is a true little adventurer - there is no hill he won’t clamber up, no fallen tree he won’t scramble around and no puddle he won’t splash through. He would love to be a hiking or running buddy to share all your outdoor adventures with.On lead, Skipper is excited to begin his walk and pulls a bit on the lead and can weave around in front of his carer. However, once he’s settled into his walk, he is happy to mooch along at an easy, relaxed pace. He’s interested in other dogs and can bark a little in excitement but this is nothing that won’t be sorted with some specific leash training and more socialisation whilst out on walks. Skipper is everything a puppy should be and just loves his toys - he would love a huge basket of toys to play with and to carry around. Like all pups, if there are no toys to play with, he will happily find and chew on anything nearby that happens to take his fancy, including shoes, socks and treasured human toys.. 
EATING AND SLEEPINGOnce his physical and mental needs have been satisfied, Skipper just loves being next to his humans on the couch and will snuggle up to you like a kitten. He just loves lying on his back across his foster mum’s lap, gazing up at her with his big black eyes before nodding off to sleep. He is so deliciously adorable to have as a snuggle buddy - and his foster carer guarantees that cuddling with him on the couch is a great way to avoid the housework for a few hours at a time. At night Skipper sleeps inside a covered crate in the garage, and whilst he might whine for a few minutes before he goes to sleep, he generally sleeps from 10pm - 6:30am without needing to go to the toilet - it is worth noting that Skipper has never had a toileting accident in his crate.Skipper currently eats twice a day. He eats puppy dry food with a small amount of Prime roll added. He has been delighted when offered a bone to chew on and carries it around, proudly displaying his treasure to everyone before settling down to gnaw on it. 
IDEAL HOMESkipper is an absolutely beautiful puppy who would make a perfect match for a wide variety of families. If his new family has an existing dog, it must be an older, friendly female canine companion. He would also thrive as a single dog with all the attention devoted to him. It must also be recognised that he is an active, working dog breed, and he will require a daily walk no matter the weather. He must be allowed to live both indoors and out, as a valuable member of his family.   Skipper is suitable for families with children aged 10 years and above, provided that children are dog savvy and confident. Skipper would also be suitable in a home with existing cats who are confident around dogs.Skipper is adored by his foster family and only the most loving forever home will be chosen for him. Adoption CriteriaA loving home with dog experience who are willing to continue Skippers trainingA home that is prepared to keep him well socialised all his lifeA home where he can be an indoor outdoor boyA home with a med to large yard that is secure with shade and shelterA home with children of mature ageA home with another dog is welcomed but we seek a well socialized female  of med to large size