Size
(when grown) Large 61-100 lbs (28-45 kg)
Details
Good with kids,
Good with dogs,
Not good with cats,
Needs experienced adopter,
House-trained,
Spayed or Neutered,
Shots are up-to-date,
Story
My name is Crestie and I am looking for my perfect home. What do you need to know about me?
Well first of all, I’m beautiful, smart, and loyal. In new situations I can be a bit anxious and sometimes I bark to try and be brave. Once I’m settled in, though, I am sweet and affectionate. My foster people have learned that they can help me feel secure by putting me in a quiet room if they’re going to have a house full of strangers.
I love my walks and need both physical and mental exercise every day. I get excited when I hear my leash jingling. Walk time is the best! I’m not a hyper dog, though. When my needs are met I’m content to nap and be calm. I’m a female lab mix, around 2.5 years old. I weigh 60 lbs and have been spayed, vaccinated, and microchipped.
I have learned a lot about behaviour inside the home and how to walk on leash. My foster people have used a training collar to help me learn to walk nicely. I don’t really need it anymore for regular, calm walks. It can still be helpful when I encounter new dogs though. Sometimes when I walk I seem on high alert, and other times I am more relaxed. When I am on alert I sometimes pull, but with a good walking technique and a few reminders at the beginning, I will trot right beside you with a loose leash. Squirrels or other fun looking creatures can put me back into high alert and start the pulling again, but I will refocus back to you once the prey is out of sight.
I am happy to hang out in my crate when you go out, and that’s where I currently get my meals. I walk right in easily, and I don’t really mind if it’s covered or not. I have destroyed a few blankets, so I don’t get any inside my crate during the day, but I like to have one at bedtime. I sleep peacefully through the night and don’t pester you in the mornings, but I will whine to let you know I need to go outside. I have only ever had an accident in my crate once, when I had an upset tummy. I know my poops and pees belong outside, and I can go a full work day without a bathroom break.
I respond well to training, which is good news for my adopters because signing up for training is a condition of my adoption. The reason for professional training is because I get stressed around new dogs and can pull and bark when I see one. On walks we do lots of zigzagging and approach and retreat repeatedly when we see a strange dog heading our way. I find this less threatening that walking head on towards another dog and it lowers my stress. Sometimes I can be kept to just whining, without pulling or barking. My behaviour is improving and training will take me the rest of the way.
I am always up for a car ride and hop right up into the back of the SUV that is normally my ride. Despite my enthusiasm, I do show some signs of stress in the car. If there is lots of activity out the window I may pace back and forth and whine. Sometimes if I see another dog outside I’ll bark at them. It’s very important to keep me secured in the car, or leave a loop of the leash sticking out so you can grab it before you even open the door.
My favourite toys are generally anything I can toss in the air. A rope toy? That’s great! Frisbee? Fantastic! My favourite of all are toys you can hide treats in. Playtime and snack time all in one!
If I share a home with other dogs I will grow to feel comfortable around them. There are two dogs in my foster home, a male and female both young and medium sized, and I get on well with them, but there was a transition period when I first arrived. I barked at them quite a lot in the first week, but going for walks together and doing some training time together really helped. My favourite thing ever is to play chase with them in the yard! I love greeting people and get all wiggly when I’m excited. Sometimes I need a gentle reminder to settle down. If you give me a scratch behind the ears I’ll be your friend for life! Want to sit on the couch and chill? If I can lie at your feet I’m content and calm.
Grooming is important for any dog, and I am happy to be brushed. I don’t enjoy baths or getting my nails trimmed, but treats and an extra pair of hands can help. My glossy black coat stays nice and healthy with the addition of Omega 3 capsules to my food.
My ideal forever home will be with someone who has experience and is ready to be a strong leader. If I sense soft boundaries, I will think I get to be in charge and try to rule the roost. We’ll all be happier by starting off with tight restrictions that will make me feel secure, and slowly letting me earn my freedoms. Part of this will be to keep me on leash indoors and out, even in a fenced yard, for a minimum of two weeks. Don’t hesitate to continue that for longer if I’m still settling in.
Also my forever home should be free of cats and birds (I have a strong prey drive), and kids under 10 (younger kids may get me too excited and/or be intimidated by my barking). I don’t bark very much in the home unless someone approaches the house, but when I do bark it’s quite loud. For this reason a single-family home is what I need, rather than an apartment. A farm or rural property would be my dream home, but I’m fine in the city too.
I am a hidden gem that, with the right person, will truly shine! I am loyal and expressive and fun to be around. I am waiting for the perfect match with someone who will work as hard as I will to bond and learn together. I’m ready to be your new best friend!
Head over to findingthemhomes.com to apply for me today!
