Remi Australian Cattle Dog / Blue Heeler Mix Zebulon, NC

TO CONTACT THE FOSTER HOME, email tulips1990@gmail.com. DO NOT use the Petfinder form. Inquiries don't reach us.

Meet Remi!

Remi is an apx 2y/o male, who is looking for an experienced ACD savvy home! He is an ACD mix, maybe with border collie. He is fixed, microchipped, UTD on shots and flea/HW preventatives and house trained. Super handsome and has the drive and energy characteristic of the ACD breed.

Quick deets on his background- Remi was an owner surrendered because the family was moving and couldn’t take Remi along. Remi was originally a stray to the family. They took him in, vetted him and kept him healthy and gave him a home in the meantime. Another home was found prior to the rescue taking him in, however after a day the new home wanted to surrender him again, and while the rescue was working out the logistics of getting him, he was instead found abandoned on the streets. Thankfully, he’s in good hands now with the rescue and the staff looking out for him! And soon, a forever family to call his own for the rest of his life!

He rides in the car well, no sickness! Though, he is crated in the car and doesn't prefer it that way he does willingly jump in and likes his car crate over his house crate (silly guy, they're the same!). He has no reaction to my vacuum, and has met horses on my property, but would not do well with horses as his prey drive seems to kick around at random times making him want to lunge if opportunity is present, and others, calmly walk passed them.

He enjoys another playful dog at least around his size (50-60lbs). He is said to have lived with cats prior to his foster home, and as well in his foster home. While he is good with them and doesn’t snap/chase, he does get excited and may be in their face and holds a “playful” stance. I would never leave him unattended, until at least he is well adjusted, and the new owners feel confident. He was previously living with two other cattle dogs and is currently living with an assertive, male cattle dog and done well. He did have a sleepover with a female border collie and did well meeting her.
He is jumpy/pushy when excited and mouthy at playtime/handling, and hence it is not recommended that his new home has young children. We're still working on taking treats gently from the hand and has come a long way! (He loves treat time). Remi is a strong puller, he walks very well in a gentle leader and his prior home did have him trained with a prong collar. With this said, leashed walks can not be his primary source of exercise.

Crate training- We are not sure how much he was crated/or not crated. What we do know, is that he does not particularly like going into the crate and he will likely test you to start. He just likes being out and about with the family. He currently sleeps in his crate at night and crated when unsupervised. He does settle in his crate and is not a mad-house, but it does need to be a sturdy crate due to his strength. We are working on his crate training in the foster home, to help him feel more relaxed, but it will need to be continued into his new home. He does take treats into his crate. Additionally, he will whine/bark in the crate, but he eventually understands barking won’t guarantee attention. He is fed in his crate with no issues and does not have food aggression. He even has a pretty solid stay until “released” to eat his food. He’s just happy to eat (the drooling makes it obvious)! He does have sit, down, and a solid “stay” already in place, when focused on you. We’re fine tuning these in foster care but will be highly encouraged in his new home!

In his foster home, he does well with two teenagers (15&16) and bonded quickest with the 16-year-old as she took him for structured jogging and hiking, which both really helped him seem naturally relaxed. He’s brave! He likes to explore smells, objects, crosses rocks and is a curious young man. When establishing if he wants to be a typical “clingy” ACD, it is his foster’s personal evaluation that he needs training and time to form a bond to do so and doesn’t seem to want to be “naturally” near you. We are suggesting a fenced-in yard and to consider him a flight risk until a bond is developed with him and he understands that you are “home”.

This boy has had an unknown amount of homes in just a short two years. Clearly, no permanent family which naturally causes some apprehension in such a young dog and it is not his fault. In just a short few weeks, he’s developed well in his foster home, but needs a family dedicated to his success and progress. Once he can relax and learn the routine, he loves to lay down with us watching TV, chew on bones, playtime with another engaging canine, and even will sit IN your lap for relaxing time (in case you're wondering, he's a bit heavy but I sat pretty comfortably well!). He will make someone very happy one day.

Interested adopters be aware: Continued training will be essential in shaping this young dog’s life. He is willing and wants to please, but he is high energy and a bit mixed-focused and would evolve nicely with continued structured command training and enough exercise.

New Home Requirements:

No young children
Completely fenced-in yard
Active family

Interested adopters should be prepared to physically meet Remi- While this does limit where he may go, I strongly believe you need to meet him in person to best evaluate if you think he is the right fit into your new home. The only way I can waive the meet requirement, is if you meet the above requirements and can prove to me to think otherwise :)

He is currently fostered in Zebulon, North Carolina. If you have any questions, please reach out to his foster Amanda - Tulips1990@gmail.com. I'm happy to explain anything and answer all questions!

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