CA-Hunter ADOPTED! Standard Poodle & Labrador Retriever Mix Ojai, CA

MEET HUNTERI! LOCATED IN VENTURA, CALIFORNIA
TYPE: Labradoodle
SEX: Male
AGE: 4 Years
SIZE: Large
WEIGHT: 80 lbs.
COLOR: Brown & White Parti-colored
COAT TYPE: Mixed Wool and Fleece non-shed coat
DOGS: Females socially, but will not tolerate other dogs in his home
CATS: Unknown but we suspect he would not tolerate any other pet in his home.
ENERGY LEVEL: Moderately active and settles beautifully.

READ MORE ABOUT HUNTER

Hunter is a very special multi-gen Labradoodle boy in need of an equally special home and person/family. Just 4 years old, this big, beautiful, sweet, loving, normally well-mannered, but very insecure boy, has become increasingly stressed in his current home due to multiple factors. As a result of recent changes to the household dynamic and through no fault of his own, Hunter has become more and more uncomfortable, stressed and consequently, over-protective and reactive towards the other dogs he shares his home and his mom with and other dogs in general. After consulting with trainers and a top veterinary behaviorist, Hunter's beloved mom came to the heartbreaking and painful realization that Hunter needs a different home environment than she is able to provide for him.

Hunter's Story

Purchased at 11 months of age from what his unsuspecting owner thought was a reputable breeder in Missouri, Hunter was labeled as "discount puppy" because of his age and shipped in an airline crate to his new mom and home via the cargo hold of a commercial airline. His new mom was horrified to learn that her "discount" Labradoodle puppy was in reality, from a notorious puppy mill and reportedly arrived timid, shy, scared, insecure and understandably somewhat traumatized from his transport experience. His mom being a sensitive, empathetic animal lover, immediately fell in love with Hunter and did everything in her power to make him feel safe and secure by showering him with all the love and affection she possibly could. In retrospect, Hunter's mom realized that her love and compassion may have hindered her ability to recognize Hunter's lack of exposure to certain normal dog experiences because of his origins and most importantly, it hindered her ability to manage and correct any resulting inappropriate behavior from the get go. The result has been a wonderful, big, mushy, but desperately needy loverboy who still exhibits fear and anxiety when stressed, lacks confidence in his mom to protect him and feels compelled to take matters into his own hands because of lack of direction and guidance.

We had the opportunity to spend some time with Hunter, view his home dynamic, consult with his veterinary behaviorist and assess and evaluate his temperament, behavior, his triggers and his needs. Our observances and assessment are that Hunter is as sweet and is as loving as can be and just needs the right home and family! He is generally calm and well-mannered until triggered, desperately looks for direction from his people/person, longs for human interaction, attention, loves to please and be praised and so wants to be a good boy! Especially from those he considers to be "his people." In contrast, he is also a very insecure dog that requires an active yet calm ADULT ONLY environment, an assertive, confident owner willing to provide clear borders and boundaries, establish routine, structure, direction, redirection when necessary and provide him with confidence and reassurance. He is DOG REACTIVE and needs to be the ONLY PET in the home. That's not to say he can't potentially socialize with other dogs outside of his home in the future, but it will take time, desensitisation training and patience to get him there. This boy NEEDS to feel safe and know he can TRUST and depend upon his peeps/person to provide him with protection. Hunter is easily managed with the establishment of trust and most importantly, by making it clear to him that it's NOT HIS JOB to protect himself, his people or his environment by NOT PUTTING HIM IN SITUATIONS WHERE HE WILL BE SET UP FOR FAILURE.

This is a WONDERFUL boy with manageable 'issues" typical of a dog who had a rough start in life and has habituated to behavior within his current home situation by being left to his own devices. Hunter needs what we refer to as a "complete RESET" and so deserves a chance for a happy, stress-free life and a home where he can blossom into the great dog he was always destined to be!

Hunter will need to be THE ONLY PET in a calm, relatively quiet, ADULT ONLY home with a larger sized yard surrounded by a physical fence and a patient, active, assertive, dog/doodle savvy, person/family with LARGE BREED EXPERIENCE, a fluency in "the language of dog" and who will not set Hunter up for failure by putting him into potentially stressful situations. Hunter is neutered, microchipped, is great on a leash and is UTD on all vaccines and preventatives. He will be a wonderful addition to the right home and family!

If you have a loving home to offer this doodle please complete our online application by copying and pasting the link below into your browser.

http://doodlerescue.org/page/adoption-application-2
Or visit us on the web at:
doodlerescue.org

You must be prepared for your dog to be an inside member of your family.
In most cases, a PHYSICAL FENCE IS REQUIRED in order to be considered for a DRC rescue doodle.

DRC Adoption donations typically range from: $300 - $600 and vary according to the age, health, temperament and location of each dog. Every doodle is an individual and every doodle has his/her own specific needs and requirements. Adopters are selected based on compatibility, NOT on a "first come, first serve basis. At no time does DRC ever put the desires of applicants before or above the needs and requirements of rescue doodles in our program.

PLEASE READ OUR COMPLETE "DRC ADOPTION POLICIES & PROCEDURES" AT THE LINK BELOW.

http://doodlerescue.org/note/DRC_ADOPTION_POLICIES_AND_PROCEDURES
Characteristics