11/19/2024
I must admit, I’m a sucker for letting a puppy sleep in my bed 👀… shhh! It was such a joy to see him find a nice off switch last night outside of the kennel, sleeping peacefully through the night without a hint of restlessness.
Interestingly, I used to have Australian Shepherds on my list of least favorite breeds. I had never encountered a well-bred one; the Aussies I met often had poor temperaments or were plagued by anxiety and behavioral issues. My own dog, Segen, was attacked by two Aussies when he was just a pup, which certainly didn’t help my feelings towards the breed. On the other hand, I’ve always adored Border Collies.
Over the years, however, my perspective on Aussies has shifted as I’ve helped several recover from behavioral challenges. They’ve started to tug at my heartstrings more than I ever expected. In my opinion, they are one of the most misunderstood breeds, often chosen for their adorable looks rather than the right reasons.
The issue of backyard breeding is a tragedy for any breed, but it stings a bit more when it involves a driven, working-bred dog. Freeii’s breeder claims he was so thin because he was “always on the go.” However, it seems he has a pretty good chill switch when given the right environment and care.
There's something unexplainable about the connection I feel with Freeii; he reminds me of a baby Kiit in more ways than one. Kiit came from a terrible backyard breeding situation, where he wasn't even allowed outside until he was 10 weeks old due to a parvo outbreak. He was sick, had worms, and began exhibiting concerning behaviors early on. Unfortunately, these tendencies escalated with misinformed owners. While Freeii doesn’t display aggressive behaviors towards humans, I do see signs of insecurity, apprehension, and anxiety. He’s fearful of larger dogs, tends to be snippy with other puppies over toys and food, and shows noise sensitivity. Just last night, when my cat jumped on the couch to lay with me, he reacted by going after him, displaying a bit of resource guarding.
His experience with his breeder has left him shy about having his feet touched, wincing and showing discomfort due to a previous nail clipping incident that caused him to bleed.
Every time I look at Freeii, I can’t help but think how different Kiit’s life could have been if I had been able to intervene during his early days. I genuinely believe Freeii wouldn’t thrive in a typical foster home that lacks education in behavioral rehabilitation. Without proper nurturing, training, and guidance, he could easily grow into an adult dog riddled with behavioral issues.
Yet, I remain hopeful for his future. Each day, he shows more confidence, clarity, and a notable reduction in anxiety. I’ve shed many tears over him, and the thought of letting him go when the time comes will undoubtedly be difficult.
I’d also like to remind you about my recent fundraiser to support Freeii and other dogs like him. There simply aren’t enough trainers willing to do pro-bono work for dogs in need of rehabilitation, and your support would mean the world to us!
[Support Freeii and more dogs like him!](https://www.gofundme.com/f/support-lilyanna-quinns-dog-training-expansion?attribution_id=sl:ac344253-1a90-41df-aae2-15a721788529&utm_campaign=man_ss_icons&utm_medium=customer&utm_source=copy_link)
