As a courtesy post, you will complete an adoption application to be forwarded to her current family. They will contact you to arrange a meet and greet at your home or their home, whichever works best for both parties. Adoptions are not officially through HFP — we aim to connect wonderful, deserving dogs — to families looking for forever pets.
How long have you owned this dog?: Just over five months
Why is the dog being given up?: We have 2 small older dogs. Being that we got Bambi from the pound when she was 7 months old, she didn't grow with the seniors as a pup and it's been difficult to get them all to get along. We are not capable at this time to provide her a home that she needs. We would like to find her a home who has experience with her breed/larger dog. We want her to have a better home than we can provide. We do love her to bits but are in over our heads. This is not her fault but we are trying to find a rescue who can assist us in finding the right family and give them information about her that will lead to a better transition for both. Along with her toys.
The following questions will be of help to the person who will adopt your dog. If there is anything you would like to add that may make your pet's adjustment to a new home easier, please feel free to share that information below. : She is sweet and deserves a home that is prepared for her . I really don't know what she'll be like in a different home. When we brought her home from the shelter she was shy, quiet and seemed to be very sad to be separated from her sister. I hope she will adjust well. I hope to give you information about her to help you piece together what she is capable of doing, what she likes, how she's fed and the other familiar habits so that she melts her old routine with the new family's routine. This cannot be done if we return her to the shelter.
Check the words that best describe your dog.: FRIENDLY, SHY, QUIET, ACTIVE, PLAYFUL, SMART, AFFECTIONATE, OBEDIENT, CALM, GENTLE, ROUGH
Is the dog spayed or neutered?: Yes
Has the dog been previously bred?: No
Is your dog housebroken?: Yes
On walks Bambi is quite excited and pulls on the lead. We have introduced a prong collar which has alleviated most of the struggle.
Sometimes she may eat her own or other animal's feces. We have introduced pumpkin puree to her food or sprinkling chili powder on the feces. She'll leave it along for a while then coming in with "the breath".
When indoors, Bambi sometimes sits in front of the slider door and watches for squirrels, does not bark however. Though when out in our yard she is determined to catch one. She hasn't. She doesn't bark and bark at them though. She'll sit and stare and run to the tree.
She is not fond of the vacuum cleaner, she'll sit and watch from a distance but will rush up to try to play.
Does the dog get along with:: Dog-Selective
Please elaborate on your dogs interactions with other dogs in detail. Has your dog lived with other dogs? Have dog friends? Good with big dogs, small dogs, exuberant dogs, shy dogs? Has your dog gone to dog parks? Is your dog leash-reactive? Please be as detailed as possible and as honest as possible so we can help your dog.: We got her from Bradshaw animal shelter at 7 months old. We do not know what type of home she came from or how she was raised. Bambi has not been properly socialized with dogs of her size. On walks, she becomes alert at the sight of another dog and wish to halt and stare as it passes across the street. The same can sometimes apply to people working in their yards. We have generally steered her clear of other dogs on walks. I do believe her to be leash-reactive. Bambi has been to dog parks a few times but have only once been off leash in a beginner dog park. Most of the time at dog parks there has been aggressive big dogs and we left. She seemed to be more fearful about going after being barked at through the fence.
She has lived with our two senior chihuahua mixes. They've snuggled up to each other on the couch only in our presence. At first the introduction was hesitant as we were concerned about the size difference. Bambi had only ever showed interest in the little ones and never aggression, although we may have misinterpreted curiosity for something more dominating/predatory. Her excitability in chasing squirrels outside seem to have triggered her into chasing the senior dogs.
It has been increasingly obvious that we are not capable of handling her. I know this is mainly our fault. This is our first big dog and especially with her breeding is the type that needs a more experienced handler. We want to give her the best chance in finding a family that understand her breed type and we know she'll be a better fit. We really do not want to return her the the shelter which is why we are contacting rescue groups.
Does your dog have handling sensitivities? How is your dog meeting strangers?: She seems to be fine all over, we haven't experienced any aggravation from being handled. She is initially hesitant and will maybe bark but when allowed to sniff and say hello she gets on fine. When guests arrive she is in the kennel to get her used to the guests then make introductions. This seems to be less stressful than to have people come in the house when she is roaming around.
Does the dog like children?: Yes
Are there children in the home?: No
What are their ages?: We have a 10 year old who visits often and they get along fine. They share the sofa and Bambi is the pillow.
What BRAND of dog food is the dog fed?: Kirkland Signature Chicken Rice Veggie. She does NOT like Kirkland's: grain free salmon, grain free chicken
: Dry
How many cups is the dog fed?: 5
How many times per day is the dog fed?: 2
Any specific feeding instructions you would care to share with your dogs new owner?: We do feed her after we are done with our own meals. After prepping the food, scooping it into the plate/bowl, I put Bambi into a wait command. She'll sit anxiously but attentive. After placing the food down, wait a moment, then while making eye contact give her the okay release. She loves this.
She doesn't like to be fed in her kennel. She would use her nose to try to bury the food and would rub a sore spot on top of her nose. We used to use a raised feeder but then she stopped liking that. Maybe it was her tags banging on the bowl. We have been successful feeding her by spreading food on the ground outside or on a wide plate if we are feeding her inside.
Where does the dog sleep?: Bambi sleeps with me on my bed but is just as comfortable for the night in her kennel.
Is the dog allowed on your furniture?: Yes
Is the dog crate trained?: Yes
Where do you keep your dog: She is an indoor dog and very much appreciates the warmth and company of my family. Of course, we allow her time outside to run and play. When we're not at home she is in the kennel.
: At night she is also indoors.
How does the dog react to being left alone?: She is content and likes time in her kennel. Sometimes when left unattended for longer periods we provide a Kong toy with a little bit of peanut butter or a bully stick. When we leave she does not bark or whine.
Please list any particular fears your dog has.: I haven't witnessed any instance in which she was fearful of sounds or machines. She does need more time around other dogs her size.
Describe any training the dog has, tricks it knows, and any experience with a trainer.: Her training is incomplete, but she holds a grasp of general obedience. She'll "hold"/"wait" before food and at doors. With the phrase "in you go" Bambi will run into her kennel. During a session of tug of war, periodically I'll get her attention and tell her to "drop it" after she will wait for the okay to reach for the toy. "Drop it" also works when Bambi picks up something undesirable. "Leave it" works as a preventative measure if she's about to snatch something or is focusing one thing or another. When on leash, a correction made with a flick of the wrist gets her attention, just enough to jostle the collar.
Does the dog have any known health problems?: No
Does the dog like riding in the car?: Yes
What is the dog's favorite : Bambi will go at any tug rope or toy, just loves to thrash and pull.
Her other favorite is this Kong toy in the shape of a knotted ball, it bounces well and as a bonus holds peanut butter and treats. She has a raised dog bed outside that she'll lounge on and slowly lick her Kong toy as well as whatever stick she found in the yard.
: She likes playing tug of war, running through the yard, and in the warmer season splashing in the kiddie pools. Tuggie rope toys and tuggie rope toys. We don't leave them on the floor because she'll chew and tear them and eat the string. So the tug made with string/rope is only allowed when we are playing with her.
Walks around the neighborhood. She was excited and listening to everything on the American River Trail. Lots of smells there.
What does the dog like?: Like all dogs, Bambi wishes to smell everything. She will slowly patrol the yard sniffing every inch.
Snack wise she likes gnawing on a long carrot, apple, pumpkin, scrambled egg or crunching an ice cube.
She likes to sit in one of 2 spots in the kitchen (soft warm rugs) while we're cooking. She likes to be near the action of a busy household. Sometimes I have to remind her to go to her spot if she is too close at my feet by the stove. She goes back sits and watches for anything to drop to the floor. She doesn't beg for food but never turns down a nibble of scrambled egg.
What does the dog dislike?: Vacuum Cleaners, number one. She'll want them to stop but she won't loose her bladder or growl over it.
Does the dog jump kiddie gates or fences?: No
If yes, how high is the dog able to jump?:
Is the dog a digger?: No
Is there anything else you can share that is special, unusual, or endearing about your dog that will help the new owners?: She loves water. Doesn't mind the rain. She absolutely loves to have her paws rubbed.
She's not a particularly "barky" kind of dog. She'll bark if something is out of the ordinary or is concerning her. And she'll have happy barks when she plays.
Are there any things you think a new owner needs to know?: She is smart and likes to play hide and seek with small treats hidden in the house. Rub her paws and she'll keep asking for more.
Please describe a typical day for your dog during the workweek (what time wake up, when eat, how many walks a day, where to -- dog parks, trails, neighborhoods, runs, etc), how long left home alone, what time to bed?: A typical school week consists of waking up by 7, getting dog fed between then and 8. Quick bit round the yard before being put away in the kennel. My classes on every other day allow time to swing home and play with Bambi for an hour or so before having my next class. On days without that break, my ultimate school day is shorter so the time she spends in kennel is similar. With the occasional walks around the neighborhood and consistent play we do are best at keeping her active but she deserves more.
She doesn’t spend more than four or five hours alone on the typical day. My bed time isn’t always consistent but after her napping throughout the day she tends to put herself to bed around 10.
Please provide a summary of the “ideal” home for your dog:: Someone who is looking for a companion and willing to continue her doggie education. She is young and willing to learn. This new home should not have small dogs or cats that she will see as prey.
Someone who will keep her indoors as well as play outdoors. Even though she is a mix, her main personality is cattle dog. Her coat says cattle dog, who knows where her long body and legs came from. Someone will love and can work that part of her. She is also very easy going and can sleep in her bed or spot while you are working on the computer and she will share the sofa with you.