Australian Cattle Dog/Blue Heeler, Hound [Mix]

You can save pups like Baxter by becoming a foster! Fosters are like way stations between high kill shelters and forever homes. We need fosters so that we can save dogs before they are euthanized at the shelters, so that they have more time to find a permanent family. If you are interested in becoming a foster, please click here and complete the questionnaire.

Follow Baxter's blog at http://meetbaxter.blogspot.com/!

See coverage of Baxter at The Daily Dog Scoop.

This sweet boy is Baxter. His mother is a purebred Australian Cattle Dog; judging by his facial markings his father is a beagle or hound mix. Baxter is 2 years old, and the sweetest dog you've ever met - he melts into you if you show him the smallest affection and he wants very badly to be your 45 pound lap dog.

Despite his loving personality, Baxter has had difficulty settling into the right home. You see, in his prior home he was neglected on his best days, and abused on his worst. He was kept in a yard and ignored, with little care and no love. When he acted like the bored young pup he was - barking or running about excitedly - his owner's boyfriend would shoot him with a bb or air gun, and follow it up with a kick when Baxter came to see what he'd done wrong. As a result, Baxter has difficulty dealing with stress - he begins to attack himself and self-mutilate his tail, as though attempting to keep in line whatever demons caused his past owners to so ill-treat him.

As a result, Baxter needs a calm and stable home, with a family who will manage his environment so that he doesn't become stressed. He needs a lot of predictability and routine, as well as mental exercise (he'd do wonderfully with agility training - he's whipsmart and soaks up obedience training). His primary stressors are car rides, very high value treats, new toys, and being confined - when exposed to these things, he engages in a one-dog dogfight with what's left of his tail (because of fused vertebrae, it was amputated since the photos were taken). However, if he wears an e-collar during stressful times and when unattended, the behavior is controlled. Because of the risks to a child or other animal when he's in this state (and to him, if another dog misinterprets his actions as aggression), we are looking for an adult-only home for him without any other pets. He'd do best in a single family home with access to a securely fenced yard - he does not do well in elevators, crates, or other confined spaces.

Baxter currently lives at a doggy daycare facility where he is calm and relaxed - other than once at a vet when he was given new toys, he hasn't had a tail-chasing episode since July. But despite the best efforts of the staff, he doesn't get the love and attention he so needs in this environment - he really wants to bond with someone, and needs a stable home for that. Baxter needs a home where there is a strong leader around - he is more relaxed if he knows he's not in charge. Please - if you think you might be able to give Baxter the love and stability he needs, contact us today! We are also looking for sanctuaries who might be able to provide him with an appropriate environment - please let us know if you know of any!

A local animal behaviorist who has had success in working with animals with stereotypic behaviors (like obsessive-compulsive disorder) has offered to work with Baxter's adoptive family to help him settle in and move past his early abuse free of charge. Please contact us today if you're willing to take a chance on this sweet boy!

Breed Guess: Australian Cattle Dog (blue heeler)/hound/beagle mix
Sex: male
Weight Estimate: 45 pounds
Approximate age: 2 y.o.
Location: DC area doggy daycare boarding facility
Housetrained: yes, and cratetrained
Other training: walks nicely on a leash and knows basic commands
Coat Type: double coated - beautiful
Personality: friendly and loving but attacks himself when he's stressed or bored

Baxter's adoption fee is $275, which covers the cost of his routine vet care and neutering.

If you would like to fill out an adoption questionnaire for Baxter, please click here and e-mail the questionnaire to lm2n@earthlink.net.

Thank you for contacting Homeward Trails Animal Rescue and helping to save a life!