Black Beauty

Older kids with this girl. She's still learning how to live in a house and tends to get nervous with kid energy. Beauty is a wonderful snuggle-bug go-anywhere do-anything best friend. She's up for anything (except cats. Due to her high prey drive she has failed her cat test). What Black Beauty will give you: A lifelong companion who is loyal, gentle, quiet, and friendly. She is ready to be a lucky human's BFF. She will sit on your lap, lay on you, flop on you; whatever it takes to be close. She's super excited to see people, then lies down nearby. She's smart as a whip and learning what to/not to do within days of being in a foster home. I think she would love a basic family dog type of class and would benefit from a class environment and professional trainer. (I have done this with all my dogs and classes teach confidence as much as skills. It's also a great time to bond with your dog.) She's just bursting with potential and the need to please. She'll get you out of the house to walk and explore nature. She's a pro at sniffing and tracking. Whoever adopts her might want to do some tracking exercises with her. I think she would love camping, hiking, and would probably eventually be a good one to take to outdoor doggy bars, coffee shops, etc. after she's bonded with you. She's on the thin side, and with good food, fresh air, and exercise she's going to fill out and be a stunner. Notice the little bit of brown on the backs of her legs! So cute! She is housetrained, low shedding. She likes her crate and sleeps quietly in it at night (for the benefit of resident dogs) but would LOVE to sleep with her people!! I've had her nearly a week and haven't heard her bark yet. She will put herself in her crate to hang out. Even better if there is a bone with her. She walks great on leash. She WILL sniff out and try to chase bunnies, squirrels, etc. Keep a tight grip on her leash and expect her to find something, because she will. She's a lab mix! She has taken immediately to the new people she has met, including men, which is an issue with some dogs. She seems good with everyone. She likes our ten-year-old but has not been around younger children. She's not fazed by storms, barking, other loud noises. Use of the blender was a little scary as was the lawnmower. Keep in mind, she hasn't been living in a house. Everything is new. I've had several fosters coming into a house for the first time and she is doing great. No fears, no anxiety. If anything she tends to be the opposite: nosy and needs to explore Everything! What Black Beauty needs from you: Loyalty, patience, understanding, love, and training. She needs someone who understands she has been in a shelter for two years, over half her life. She is starting from scratch as a three-year-old dog. She is coming out needing to experience everything life has to offer and make up for lost time. She seems to have a vague understanding of sit and is mastering it, so maybe someone has worked with her while in the shelter. Her biggest challenge is she puts her paws up. Everything is new and she wants to see what's happening. She is already learning not to jump up. She jumps, I turn my back and ignore her, she sits, she gets pets and praise. She is learning OFF when she puts her extra-big paws up where they don't belong. Super smart. And very treat motivated = easy to train! Please note: Black Beauty has a high prey drive and will not be placed in a home with cats! She probably wouldn't mind a dog friend but is really focused on people. Summary: Day one, you're going to have a sweet, gentle, loving friend. As time goes on and you polish this diamond in the rough, she has unlimited potential. Keep her away from cats, keep an eye on her prey drive. She's an amazing dog and literally getting better every day. Her life has been on hold for two years and she's ready to live. Are you the person to introduce her to her best life? **Dog breeds listed are best guesses from veterinary professionals, they are never a guarantee.