Sadie German Shepherd Dog & Australian Shepherd Mix Boulder, CO

Sadie is an amazing dog! She is a German Shepherd/Aussie mix, and just about 3-4 years old, and 40lbs. Sadie is amazing with children (even babies!) and adults - all people in general. She is also fully potty trained, and leash trained. She does not need to be crated, as she never chews anything up. Sadie is currently in foster care with 4 small children (two under a year old and two 5 years old) and does amazing with them! She is very sweet and friendly and gentle.

Sadie was never properly socialized with dogs, so she doesn't know how to get along with other dogs. She will bark (on leash) when she sees another dog, and since she is leash reactive, her foster has never wanted to try her off leash with dogs. We think given time, training, and slow introductions, she should be able to overcome it with an adopter willing to work with her. We would love to find her a home where she is the only dog, and ideally with someone less active, and with a large yard or acreage for Sadie to have for exercise and play.

The following is written about her by her current foster: Please read it all before inquiring about Sadie!
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“Sadie has been friendly and calm around all people since the day we picked her up. She has even done very well when around my two 10 month old grandsons (pictured) and my two 5 year old grandsons. She doesn’t mind them petting her or sitting with her. She often lays near them while they are playing. She has been left at home alone several times for maybe 3 hours max and has done well – as long as no food has been left on the kitchen counters. I always give her a Kong, snuffle mat or chew stick to distract her when I leave. Initially she would be excited/nervous when I left but she is much better now. Sadie sleeps in our bedroom with us – either in our walkin closet, on her bed or on the floor next to our bed. She only gets up on our bed in the morning when we awake.

Sadie was fully potty trained when we received her. She does not let us know when she needs out but since we have been home mostly she is in and out a lot during the day and this has not been an issue – she also seems to be able to “hold it” well. She very rarely will bark and then it only seems to be when she is surprised by something. When she sees other dogs she will whine and pull to go towards them. Unfortunately her overstimulation around dogs can become too much if they make contact, typically. Sadie walks well on the leash with her “no pull” harness. Sadie does very well traveling in the car on the back seat.

Sadie can get over a 4 foot fence or wall when she is motivated, so never leave her unattended in the yard. A 6 foot fence is a must! As long as she is entertained and engaging with someone, she has no reason to want to try to jump.

Sadie has been very trainable since we received her. She has learned the “sit” command and will typically stay sitting until I release her with the word “OK”. We have been working on learning “lie down”.

Sadie will play tug a war and will release the rope when asked to. She also will play fetch and will typically drop the ball when asked to do so. We have been working on her self control. When I feed her I ask her to sit before putting her bowl down. I put the bowl on the floor and she will stay sitting and not go for the food until I release her with “ok”. She does this quite well now. When she does something she is not supposed to I use the words “eh, eh” and she will typically stop or back off. When I call her by name she will typically respond right away and come to me. We have been working on “counter conditioning” her to get her to be more under control when seeing other dogs. She has definitely improved over the past 2 months and will sit and stay mostly calm – from a distance – as the dog/s go by. Her best training treat is anything cheese-flavored, which she loves!

She has been so calm and sweet with all people and even with my young grandsons. The problem is she gets too overstimulated when seeing other dogs, that it turns into wanting to go after them. She just can’t be around dogs. Someone who is retired and has a large yard would be perfect for her. I say this because keeping her from going on walks might be best -if you do, when walking on a path or trail and passing another dog you need to keep a good distance between them and a strong hand on her leash. Other than the “dog” issue she has been a great dog to have around.”
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We are searching for Sadie’s forever home with an individual or family who has no other pets, and can commit to working with Sadie’s issue of not being able to be around other dogs.

Sadie’s adoption fee is $200 and that will include a harness, food, treats, toys, all of her shots, and her spay.

If you are interested in being this loving girl’s forever home, please fill out an application here: https://farfels.com/farfels-rescue/adoption-form/