02/14/2022
Today is Valentine’s Day, which means some people will inevitably be feeling sad or a bit more alone a bit more than everyday…But nobody has to feel that way on Valentine’s Day! How do you keep from feeling heartache? Adopt a dog! Seriously, if you are really looking for unconditional love and a strong bond, there’s nothing better than adopting a dog.
Even if you already have a special Valentine, pet adoption presents you with another opportunity to fall in love for a second time. You’ll not only make a new best friend, but you will share everyday companionship that will be just as loyal as your human partner – maybe even more!
This very handsome guy is Dougie, and he is searching for the love of his life and a home to call his own. He is looking for a fresh start, a second chance, a bed to curl up in and a human to share his life with forever.
Dougie originally came to the Town of Brookhaven Animal Shelter as a stray back in October of 2019. He waited and waited for his family to come and find him and take him home but that never happened. Then in April of 2019 Dougie was adopted; but sadly returned after he escaped his yard by jumping the four-foot high fence multiple times to chase after other animals.
Dougie is as sweet as they come, a very affectionate cuddle bug with tons of love to share, but he is simply not a fan of other animals. You see, Dougie has a high prey drive which requires management by an experienced dog person.
As humans, we seem to expect dogs to never show their teeth, growl, chase, or express any form of discomfort in any way. We often punish them for exhibiting these behaviors without understanding the cause and then wonder why it occurred.
One of the main reasons dogs like Dougie chase other animals is simply because it is fun. Prey drive is normal, it is manageable and you can train a dog to stop reacting or redirect those instincts into something just as pleasurable, such as games. We have discussed high prey drive before in a couple articles and will reiterate that this is a 100% natural type of chase, is an internal state and an instinctive behavior in all dogs. Some dogs have a higher desire to chase while others may have little to no desire to chase. Prey drive is not breed specific and it is not the same thing as social aggression shown towards other dogs. Dougie walks very nicely on a leash and can pass other dogs with no issues while out on a walk, but off leash, if he gets out of a yard loose, he will run after any animal he sees.
While it can be difficult to change an innate, instinctive behavior, it is possible to manage a high prey drive dog a lot better with the right training and intervention. With this in mind, Dougie needs an active home where he can exercise on a daily basis. A very special mom and dad — a savvy, experienced, strong, and patient individuals who ars committed to him and will put in the time needed to teach him the ropes of life and help him become the best he can be. Individuals with time to engage him in other play activities that involve chasing, catching and retrieving, playing with toys, playing fetch, tug of war or maybe even involving him in agility sports as a positive and fun outlet for his prey drive.
Dougie will do best as the only pet in an adult only household with a secure six-foot high fenced in yard. He is 64 pounds, estimated to be about seven to eight years young, up to date on vaccinations, neutered, micro-chipped and heartworm negative. He is housebroken, knows his basic commands, and is crate trained.
We really can’t say enough about what an affectionate loving guy he is! Dougie is an all around amazing dog with a lively personality. He is very people oriented, eager to please and very intelligent. Could you be the one to make his wish come true?
Town of Brookhaven Animal Shelter
300 Horseblock Road
Brookhaven, NY 11719
(631) 451-6950
