Ninja

Ninja is a delightful 8 month old Husky / Heeler mix and is searching for his forever home with a family who will appreciate just how lucky they are to share their lives with such a gem of a little dog. Whilst there is no denying that he is currently smack bang in the middle of chaotic adolescence, busting out of his skin with awkward enthusiasm and with more limbs than he knows quite what to do with - this boy has the sweetest nature and just loves to be with people. Ninja may have the face and eyes of a wolf - but we assure you, he is an absolute lamb on the inside. He is everything a good boy should be - fun and adventurous, full of mischief, and super soft and snuggly. He is absolutely stunning to look at and will turn heads wherever he goes with his distinctive husky face and bushy tail, and mixed husky/heeler markings along his body. He is quite small and only weighs around 15kg. He struts proudly when he walks, tail aloft like a flag, and he floats across the ground when he runs. Ninja has been an absolute joy to care for in his foster home and he deserves a family who will love and nurture him for the rest of his days.
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FAVORITE THINGS
Ninja loves being outside playing and running with other dogs. He loves going for walks and he walks very well on a harness - he does pull to begin with but he is very light and easy to control. After a walk and a play, he loves being inside with his humans and is a quiet, devoted follower of his foster mum wherever she goes. He has developed a habit of lying politely at his foster mum’s feet in the kitchen, where he has learned that special treats might sometimes drop from above.
INTERACTIONS WITH HUMANS
Ninja is a sensitive soul and was quite skittish and timid when he first arrived in care. It took a few days for him to settle in and become more confident so his new family will need to understand that he will take a little while to truly warm to them. The wait is worth it though - when you sit next to him and he chooses to come to you he will snuggle his face fully into your body and just melt into the moment of being close to you. But being the cheeky boy he is, he will likely emerge from your cuddle time chewing absently on the doggy bag or stray $5 note that you had forgotten was in your pocket…
Ninja was very bouncy to begin with, jumping up at anyone who approached him. He learned very quickly that keeping his four feet on the floor got him lots of pats and treats and he is now so much better, although he will still jump up at people who don’t set the boundaries straight away. He is still a little shy of people with loud voices who move quickly or make sudden movements, but he only tries to get out of their way and has never shown the slightest hint of fear or aggression. This boy is a total lover, not a fighter, and doesn’t have a mean bone in his body.
Obedience / Training
Did we mention that Ninja is a typical teenage boy - and as such, he has no real concept of his own body size or strength. He ricochets through life, bouncing wildly off one wall (or dog, or person, or table leg!) and into another. Everything he does, he does at full speed and with absolute joy. Ninja will thrive on routine, discipline and clear boundary setting as it will help to calm his scatty brain. Ninja would love to go to obedience training to help build a strong bond with his new owners and continue to develop his current lovely doggy manners.
Animal Social Skills
Ninja has been in foster care with three large boisterous resident dogs. He is a very enthusiastic but well-mannered and respectful young dog. His foster siblings seem to understand he is totally out of his depth in his own body and have not had one cross word with him despite regular body slams. Ninja just loves to play with other dogs and has shown no signs of aggression or resource guarding while playing, although he has a robust bark when he gets excited running around. He has been around several other dogs of various breeds and has played beautifully with all of them. He would love to have a playful, well socialized canine friend or two of any size or breed in his new home.
Ninja has been in foster care with three dog-savvy cats who he loves waayyy more than they love him. He exhibits the usual characteristics of a working breed and is a little obsessed with the cats, following them wherever they go and very occasionally being unable to resist trying to have a little taste of them. For this reason we would recommend that he be rehomed in a family without cats.
Food
Ninja is surprisingly fussy with food and will take a treat very gently from your hand before dropping it to the ground and sniffing at it delicately before deciding whether it is good enough for him to eat. He currently eats one meal a day of meat and vegetables topped with Puppy premium dry food.
Independence
Ninja is happy hanging around outside with his foster siblings during the day when no one is home. If he sees people sitting inside, he will jump at the door and bark to be let in with his family. Ignoring him until he is calm and quiet has helped him to improve this behavior greatly.
Sleeping -
Ninja is currently sleeping in a covered dog crate in the garage. He is taken to the toilet around 11pm and then sleeps through until around 6am. He goes into his crate happily with a few treats and while he might cry for ten minutes or so, once he accepts that it’s bedtime, he sleeps all night without a peep. Ninja has not had any toileting accidents at all in his crate.
Exercise
Ninja is a high energy dog and requires a daily walk in rain, hail or shine. He cannot be left to languish in the backyard, even if his new home is on a large block. Ninja walks really well on a harness and even though he walks in front and may pull a little in excitement, he is very light and easy to control. It is likely he did not see many cars in his previous home, as he is fascinated by them when they go past and may occasionally lunge at them, although he is getting so much better now, especially since his walking buddies don’t pay any heed to passing cars. He does tend to exhibit some frustration when he comes across another dog whilst out on an on-lead walk - he barks and lunges at them which is a very common behavior in heelers. Just all the more reason to e
nroll him in dog obedience classes and watch him learn to pay attention to his owner instead of other dogs!
Inside the Home
Ninja is generally very well behaved inside the house although he can be clumsy and has no concept of personal space. He has had a couple of toileting accidents inside but only when his foster mum has been slack in remembering to take him outside after his dinner or a nap. Ninja just loves to be near his people and with the couch already claimed by his foster siblings, he is very happy to lay curled up on the floor at your feet. He will follow you as soon as you get up and is definitely a devoted toilet and shower companion.
Ideal Home
Ninja is a simply beautiful young dog with simple needs and a heart of gold and he would thrive in a home with a family who would welcome him as a valued member.
He needs a home with a good sized yard to run around and explore. Shelter in the backyard is a must.
Ninja loves people, although he may be initially shy to meet them to begin with. As with any shy dog, pats under the chin and on the chest are much more comfortable for him than reaching out to pat his head. Young children may make him nervous and flighty so we recommend that any children in the home be aged 10 years or older.
Ninja would just love to have another dog in his new home - but they must be well socialized. Female and tolerant of young, playful dog behavior.
Ninja is dearly loved by his foster carers and only the very best forever home will be chosen for him.