Size
(when grown) Med. 26-60 lbs (12-27 kg)
Details
Good with kids,
Not good with cats,
House-trained,
Spayed or Neutered,
Shots are up-to-date,
Story
Riley is a 4 year old pup. Our best guess is that he is a pointer/cattle dog/hound mix. He is all hunting/working dog. He needs to be kept busy. He would love a home that would give him a job. He did great with backpack training. I think he may also do well in dog sports like agility, nose work, etc.
He is a fence jumper, so Riley cannot be trusted alone in a fenced in yard. He must be monitored whenever he is outside. We keep a 30 foot leash on him whenever he is outside. He has only gone over my fence once. The fence jumping is manageable as long as you are watchful. Riley loves to go for walks. He is very strong and does have a tendency to pull. We have used a gentle leader and easy walk harness with him. He needs a firm hand and reminders that he is not in charge. Weather and schedule permitting we try for a daily walk. Mostly we walk around our neighborhood, but we do enjoy going out and exploring area forest preserves. Riley does get excited/anxious in the car. He is constantly on the lookout for something. He will whine, cry, bark, and pace. Sometimes opening a window helps.
Riley loves to play. He has a bin full of toys that he loves to empty. He does tend to kill toys and pull out the stuffing. He doesn’t mind playing with unstuffed toys so we hang onto them until they are completely shredded. He loves fetching balls and frisbees in the back yard. He loves loud annoying squeaky toys. If no one is playing with him he will entertain himself. He has been known to toss toys pretty far.
Riley loves kids, but would probably do best in a home without any other animals. His prey drive is so high I am afraid he would hunt cats, small animals, and birds. He is very hit and miss with other dogs. He lives with two female dogs and overall does well with them. He does have resource guarding with other dogs (we have never had any problems with resource guarding with people). Mostly he is good with his foster sisters, but every once in awhile gets possessive and snaps. We are not saying Riley cannot go to a home with another dog, but we just have to do careful screening to make sure he will get along and the new owner will have to be watchful of potential problems (like food and toys). He can definitely only go to a house with female dogs, no males.
Riley can be aloof when first meeting people. He is not the dog to run up to strangers at events. He takes awhile to open up. Once he does, however, he is a goofy boy. He just needs that chance to get comfortable.
Riley is a great house dog. He is potty trained, crate trained, and does not destroy household items. He is a great watchdog. He loves looking out the window, although the inner hound dog does sometimes come out, so apartment dwelling may not be for him. He knows how to sit, lay down, stay and wait for his meal, and sit pretty. He is very food motivated which should help with training. Although he does have quite the stubborn streak, especially when he is on the hunt.
Riley is a great dog, but definitely has his quirks. If you are willing to deal with those quirks you will get a great, loyal companion. If you would like to meet this dog please call Teri at 630-897-7454. The adoption fee is $225.
Adoption fee includes:
- microchip
- free 30 days of pet insurance (requires activation)
- spay/neuter
- age appropriate vaccinations: Bordetella, DH(L)PP, rabies
- heartworm preventive & flea/tick preventive (when necessary)
- deworming
