Rocco-Adopted

Update: 3/31/09: Rocco is now 31# and more beautiful than ever!! And almost fully housetrained! Rocco is being fostered at Camp Bow Wow. If you would like to meet him there, please submit an application, once the application is approved, you can make an appt. with CBW.

He is being returned due to a serious health issue in the family that leaves them unable to care for a puppy appropriately. Especially an Aussie puppy. And make no mistake!! Even though he is really fluffy and pretty..he is an AUSSIE. If you are not familiar with the Australian Shepard breed, please do your research before applying.

Some of the characteristics that Rocco is displaying already indicate he has a true herding personality and strong instincts. He will herd kids and cats, never intending to hurt them, but he will bite at feet and calves and ankles to 'round everyone up" where he wants them. He is incredibly loving and companionship oriented, very loyal, intelligent and also energetic. So with the exception of his fur and size..he is very much an Aussie.

So, don't be fooled by his gorgeous looks. Rocco is not your typical family dog. Anyone wanting to take this fluffball home should have previous Aussie experience and the ability to exercise him well...all year long! Exercising an Aussie is not going for a 1 mile walk a couple times a day..it is running them straight out for over an hour or so every day, rain, sleet, snow or sunshine. Aussies in a sedentary or even moderately active home become very bored and destructive. In addition; he will need a 'job' to do to keep his intelligence occupied. Agility training is a great activity for a dog like Rocco.

Update 2/17/09: What an adorable fluffball of a puppy! Always smiling, Rocco is a young man who's been enjoying life very much indeed, since arriving in foster care in New England last weekend.

Rocco loves to run and jump in the snow (he has the thick fur for this climate) and is great with ALL his foster family's other dogs. He went to visit their grandkids (ages 5 and 7) and absolutely got along wonderfully!!

He already cries at the door when he needs to answer nature's call and he sleeps like a rock all night in his crate. Sometimes he even puts himself to bed.

Get your applications in quickly-Rocco's so cute and charming that he won't be in foster care much longer!

Notes from our partner shelter: This gorgeous 3-4 mo old puppy is probably a Aussie/Pyr mix, gorgeous, but from a heritage of working dogs. He will NEED obedience training and lots of exercise in his life. Families with small children are not encouraged to apply due to their potential size and activity level.

He has blue flecks in his eyes and tons of hair to bathe, brush & groom!

History: dumped in someone's yard in dec 08.

Present Location: Sevier County, Arkansas

Age: 3-4 months *estimate

Breed(s): aus shep/pyr * guesstimate

Weight: 25 pounds *estimate

For puppies: approx. size when grown: big

Energy Level: *High: needs to run, play fetch, ball, chase or lots of other dog play

Affectionate: *Likes to cuddle *Likes to play *Asks to be pet *Demands attention

People/General Playfulness: *Needs to learn to play with people

Socialization: *Socialized: not fearful of new situations

Is this dog a Flight Risk?_________no__________________________

House Behavior: *Not Housetrained *Not familiar with living inside

Obedience: *Should be a requirement of adopter - puppy training and obedience training due to herding breed.

Behavior with other dogs: *Initiates play often

Children exposure: Ages of childen and amount/type of exposure:___14, 12 ,6 Reaction to children: *No fear/approaches for attention

Dominance/Submissiveness: He is the more dominant puppy of the two. He is submissive to the older dogs at this point, will need socialization work and training with other dogs to make sure he doesn't get too big for his britches.

Reactions to strangers: *Friendly: wags, generally happy for the attention *Exuberant: jumps, barks, licks, over excitement

Aggression: none seen

Cats: Cat test: did fine Controlled exposure to cat in: *Outside environment Reaction: *Noticed cat: interested/curious, but no outward signs of aggression (see picture)

Describe the dog in one good word or sentence encompassing the entire dog: Friendly, goofy, happy puppy.

From the dogs perspective: My perfect home would be: A home where I can grow up loved, exercised, given mental stimulation and lots of companionship.