Cherokee Australian Cattle Dog / Blue Heeler Riverside, RI

TO CONTACT THE FOSTER HOME, email kctracy1@yahoo.com. DO NOT use the Petfinder form. Inquiries don't reach us.

Cherokee is a 5 yrs old spayed female Australian Cattle Dogs. She is a blue heeler and is UTD on shots as well as microchipped. She was recently surrendered to the animal shelter with 11 of their fellow cattle dogs from a hoarding situation. ACDRA pulled them all in order to free the shelter cages up and keep anyone from being euthanized for space.

Being one of many dogs in a hoarding situation has left Cherokee with a very very small view of the world. She needs an owner whom is willing to take things exceptionally slow so slow that ignoring her and letting her just hang out in plain sight in an ex-pen is really what this girl needs to build up the courage to show you what a good girl she is. Cherokee needs to learn all these new things at her own pace. She is super shy and scared she will growl when she is scared and wants to be left alone. She plays well with other dogs. She is learning to trust people with those yummy high value treats. She needs a schedule and structure and lots of time to build trust. She bonds faster with other dogs and takes her time trusting people. She will need lots of time with a new home and would love an owner whom will give her space and have a structure setup where she can interact more with other dogs than people for the first few weeks. When she does warm up she does like to kill the toys but she is being challenged with the new Kong stuffed animals from Chewy ?

She is currently living with 3 kids who are over 12 yrs old. She also lives with two other male dogs. Cherokee does OK with cats but they are not her best friend
Cherokee would do exceptionally well in a home with other confident dogs that she can bond with. That can be her strength when things get scary and her bravery escapes her. She will not do well in a home as the only dog so please don’t apply if that is what you are looking for.

Keep in mind herding breeds were developed to have high intelligence, stamina to run miles a day often in harsh conditions, independence to make decisions on their own when necessary, and the desire to form a working relationship with their people.

Cherokee sheltered non-exposure life/background has developed her sort of shadow personality this is a girl whom likes to follow around and just be near but not to close. While walking on a leash in a group dog walk she follows behind me because she is just not confident enough to take the lead. She is always looking to be when things are unclear but when they are downright scary (Loud Truck coming to close) she glues herself to other dogs in her pack.

She has come a long way since her owner surrendered her and 12 siblings to a shelter and I am sure over time and consistency she will blossom into a wonderful companion animal.

Cherokee is being fostered in Riverside, RI.

For questions, please contact kctracy1@yahoo.com.

COMPLETE AN APPLICATION
http://www.acdra.org/adoption-application