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Adopted

Xola German Shepherd Dog & Collie Mix ST JACOBS, ON

  • Young
  • Female
  • Large
  • Tricolor (Brown, Black, & White)

About

Characteristics
Friendly, Affectionate, Loyal, Playful, Smart, Curious, Funny, Athletic
Coat length
Medium
House-trained
Yes
Health
Vaccinations up to date, spayed / neutered.
Good in a home with
Other dogs, children.
Prefers a home without
Cats, other animals.

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Meet Xola

Xola (means to stay in peace) is a lovely, gorgeous young 1.5 yr female Shepherd mix who joined our rescue as an unclaimed stray from a local animal shelter.

She has been spayed and vetting completed and will make some lucky family a fabulous new friend.

PLEASE READ ENTIRE PROFILE BEFORE APPLYING

Notes:
*Children must be over 10yrs (due to Xola's size and need for ongoing training), respectful and dog savvy with previous experience with dogs in the home.
* Xola would love another suitable canine companion in her home who is young enough to enjoy her energy and medium to large breed to match her play.
*Must be located within Ontario Canada
*Inground/ground level Pools and ponds must be separately fenced from yard
**Her adoption contract requires registration with an approved trainer to set her and her new family up for success.
* Detached home is ideal. Xola is a flight risk and may not ever be taken off leash unless fencing is 6ft+ (we expect this will improve with training)

Notes from Xola's foster family :
Xola has slowly settled into being a medium-high energy girl. She goes on two longer walks per day—one in the morning for about 30 mins and in the evening for about 45 mins, with potty breaks in between.
She loves playing with her foster brother Ziggy. She isn't as interested in toys—she'd rather play with dogs or people, they are way more fun!.

Xola responds very well to high value treats during training, and is ESPECIALLY excited during meal time. She does her happy food dance.

GOOD WITH DOGS? Xola is great with dogs. She's incredibly gentle, but loves to wrestle and run with other dogs. No concerning behaviours.

Xola desperately wants to meet every dog we come across during walks. We've been working on training here to maintain her attention, and she's come a long way! No aggression—she just wants to say hello to everyone.

Xola is more interested in other dogs than other people, but does enjoy human attention from people she meets.

Xola is slightly timid at first with strangers—particularly with men. She'll sniff around you but shy away slightly if you try to pet her or reach for her. Once the new person settles in, she'll let you pet her, but it takes some time for her to request attention from new folks.

She is curious, but will not bark or alert to the presence of people. As mentioned, she'll sniff around visitors until they settle in, and then she'll warm up to pets.
Xola LOVES visits from other dogs!

GOOD WITH CATS? Xola is curious about cats, and would very likely chase them in a home, we do not recommend cats or small animals.
When on walks, she gets on alert and tries to chase after them if she spots them before I do. If I get in front of her and tell her to sit with a treat she’ll still watch them but stop pulling

Xola is quite reluctant to leave her cozy spots when given the "off" command when you try to shoo her off furniture. She doesn't guard any furniture or people, she just loves cozy spots!
Treats help here, and she's getting better at it, but she would prefer a home where she is allowed and welcome on the furniture

HOUSETRAINED? Yes
CRATE TRAINED? No
When left completely alone (no other dog or human), she barks and whines quite loudly but is not destructive. She absolutely prefers having another dog home with her
When she and my other dog are left in my home alone together, her anxiety disappears and so does the barking and whining.

Xola is getting so much better on leash walks. She's learning to focus and stay closer using treats as motivation.

OKAY WITH MANIPULATIONS? Yes
Xola doesn't react—although she may roll over on her back for tummy scritches.

PERSONALITY? Xola is incredibly loving and affectionate. She will sleep for several hours during the day, but when she wakes up, she'll find you and boop your arm with her snout until you pet her. All she wants is love!

She also is very motivated by activity—walks, potty breaks, play with other dogs. She is very snuggly and wishes she could be a lap dog. Once she warms up to you and gives you kisses, your heart will be hers.

Skills/Commands
SIT? Yes
STAY? No
WAIT? Yes
LAY DOWN? No
LEAVE IT? Yes
OFF? Yes
DOWN? No
COME? Yes

BED TIME HABITS? Xola sleeps in my room with me on her dog bed.

QUIRKS/CHALLENGES/AREAS NEEDING IMPROVEMENT: Xola is still learning commands like lie down. She's quite distractable during walks, though is getting better with treats.

STRENGTHS/AREAS THEY HAVE IMPROVED ON: Everything! Xola is incredibly smart and learns commands and new routines quickly.
Like all dogs, she thrives on consistency, routine and ongoing training combined with love, appropriate attention and positive experiences.

TRANSPORTATION? No reactivity to vehicles. She's happy to jump into the back seat area where there's a dog seat cover.

I believe the best home for Xola will have at least one other dog for her to play with and keep her company . A family ok with having Xola on the furniture, with an open heart and love to spare for a dog who didn't have affection until recently, but offers her entire heart in return!
She's the most affectionate dog I've ever met.

ANYTHING TO ADD? Xola is pure joy and love. She has brought such light into our home, as she will into yours!

Hobo Haven is located in St Jacobs Ontario.
For approved families, we require in person meetings in St Jacobs ON
If you are not willing to drive to this location to meet our dogs after you are approved, please do not apply.
We do not meet elsewhere nor deliver dogs. Adoptions within Ontario only

If you are interested in applying to adopt a dog from Hobo Haven Rescue, please use this link to submit an application https://hobohavenrescue.ca/dog-adoption-application

Xola's adoption fee is a minimum donation of $675
Adoption fees include spay/neuter, microchip, bloodwork, vaccinations, deworming, flea/tick/heartworm prevention, and all vet care, food and supplies during their time with us.

For anyone possibly interested in adopting from Hobo Haven, here are a few, but not all, criteria to be aware of:

We require all serious applicants to watched "Petfooled" which is a free documentary at this link https://tubitv.com/movies/494913/pet-fooled
, or on Amazon prime or also a variety of other free video sites.

Our motto is "know better/do better" and we ask all adoptive families to be as committed to providing our dogs with quality nutrition as they are to providing love. This documentary is not advertising, purely just educational.

An adoption application must be completed and approved, including vet references as well as a home visit (Zoom during COVID), prior to meeting available dogs.
All dogs are placed in loving foster homes during their time with us, we do not have a shelter to visit.
We do not allow applicants to visit until pre-approved for adoptions. Our dogs are in private foster family homes, not in a shelter.
Any questions may be emailed to hobohavenpetrescue@gmail.com

Due to the high volume of applications received for our dogs, priority of replies will be given to applicants who meet the criteria mentioned in the pet's profile.

Please do not ask us to make exceptions, we set these protocols and policies for the dog's best interests which are always our highest priority.

Emails are best, our volunteers work full time and are often not able to answer or return phone calls in a timely manner.

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Xola

Xola

  • German Shepherd Dog
  • Young
  • Female