Ozzy is a 10 month old Australian Cattle Dog, currently in private rescue care, who desperately needs a foster or home situation. He is currently being boarded and his family's instructor has taken over doing some preliminary training. He is good with people, though reserved, and likes other dogs. Unknown with cats, but we don't recommend. He will not go to a home with kids. He's pushy when soliciting play from subordinates, but yields to the authority of more powerful dogs. He has been diagnosed by a Ph.D. level behaviorist with owner directed aggression (black and blues, did break skin, but no severe punctures)/displaced herding behaviors. He will need to be walked in a Gentle Leader and, hopefully, clicker trained. Behaviorist has recommended no confrontational training for him, combined with eating from puzzle toys, getting a "job", such as agility or herding, and lots of appropriate exercise. This is a dog that has had very ineffectual ownership and has stepped into the leadership vacuum. He's the kind of dog people characterize as having "beta dog syndrome", and I do not find him all that threatening (although I am a trainer, not an average pet owner).
If behavior modification does not progress adequately, he is a good candidate for medication. He has been evaluated as health by his vet, but has not had thyroid testing, or a neuro eval. His behavior seems targeted at those whom he thinks he can manipulate, and he has the legendary stubbornness that some attribute to this breed. However, I find that he is smart and learns quickly as long as you don't let him win (again, nicely) - he is at his worst when he wants to do what you don't want him to do;-) He's at his best when playing with other dogs, or in a one on one clicker training session. We hope that his new home can build the skills he missed getting, and turn him in to the best he can be.
The bad news is that he will need a savvy owner willing to take on a project dog. The good news is that there are many people going to bat for him, and he comes with six additional telephone consultations with the PH. D. behaviorist. The dog is located in Massachusetts, and if the new owner is close enough, will also come with one six week set of classes free of charge at the facility he is familiar with. This dog may not do well crated, as he gets nasty if forced in, and does not willingly go in for food - but we would rather see him live in a safe stall in someone's barn overnight than not get a home. He's a handsome boy, dark blue mottled with a very distinctive "raccoon" striped tail.
If behavior modification does not progress adequately, he is a good candidate for medication. He has been evaluated as health by his vet, but has not had thyroid testing, or a neuro eval. His behavior seems targeted at those whom he thinks he can manipulate, and he has the legendary stubbornness that some attribute to this breed. However, I find that he is smart and learns quickly as long as you don't let him win (again, nicely) - he is at his worst when he wants to do what you don't want him to do;-) He's at his best when playing with other dogs, or in a one on one clicker training session. We hope that his new home can build the skills he missed getting, and turn him in to the best he can be.
The bad news is that he will need a savvy owner willing to take on a project dog. The good news is that there are many people going to bat for him, and he comes with six additional telephone consultations with the PH. D. behaviorist. The dog is located in Massachusetts, and if the new owner is close enough, will also come with one six week set of classes free of charge at the facility he is familiar with. This dog may not do well crated, as he gets nasty if forced in, and does not willingly go in for food - but we would rather see him live in a safe stall in someone's barn overnight than not get a home. He's a handsome boy, dark blue mottled with a very distinctive "raccoon" striped tail.