Finley Australian Shepherd Alexandria, VA

My name is Finley, and I am a true Miniature American Shepherd five month old blue merle PUPPY. Emphasis on the PUPPY part, because I was placed with a foster after only a couple months in my first home because the first owners just thought I was cute and didn’t realize I had HERDING genes! They spent the first few months trying to train the herding out of me and treated me like a toy lap dog. I’m a herder, it didn’t work, but it did set me back a bit!

For instance, I had been allowed to potty on pee pads, so now I get confused when foster mom tries to get me to potty outside, but I’m learning.

I need someone to be patient with me, please. I am a mid energy guy, and truly love snuggling best. I can get barky when I want something, like out of my crate or up on to the couch or bed. I still haven't figured out how to jump up to a surface, yet.

I’m A OK with kids and other dogs, and I think cats will be fine too as they are literally about my same size and I am a lover not a fighter.

My foster mom thinks I will be about 25 pounds, full grown and don't mind being picked up at all. I can be anxious – so another dog to show me the rope would be great. I really want to learn, despite being thought of more as a toy breed dog at my last home, I really am all herding breed, put my mind and body to work, please!

Finley is up to date on vaccinations and is currently fostered in South Carolina. ARMA will consider ACTIVE homes dedicated to positive reinforcement training for Finley in South Carolina or ARMA’s traditional adoption area – DC, Maryland and Virginia. Finley will need to be neutered and a neuter contract will be required upon adoption.

Applications for adoption can be found on ARMA’s website.