26/08/2024
This dog is currently located in Missoula, MONTANA. His story, as told by the finder, is below. The dog IS NOT a Flat-Coated Retriever and IS NOT a FCRSA Rescue dog. If interested in more info or for questions, please contact the finder, Jess Walter at phone #406-239-7908.
"I picked up a very sweet, very handsome pup ... yesterday evening in Missoula, MT- he was on the run at a good clip, about to cross a busy street. No humans in sight and wouldn’t approach an adult but came right to my 11yo daughter. He’s young (2-4yo?), intact, higher energy and/or anxious, and seems to not be leash trained. (He will sit and shake a paw for a treat though!)
After connecting with some other folks around town, I learned that his owners have been trying to surrender him for at least a week or two because of “behavioral issues.” Apparently his previous owner reported that he’d been aggressive to a stranger, and because of that, I was advised to proceed with caution. I have a 20+ year history with dogs and have worked with multiple rescues doing placements, behavior assessments, home checks, transports, etc. I have seen all kinds of aggression- resource guarders, fear biters, barrier reactivity, overstimulation, prey drive, neurological issues, you name it. I cannot find a single aggressive bone in this dog’s body.
I’ve had and worked with dogs with issues. Some small issues, but big ones, too. His seem fairly simple- he wants people near him. When there aren’t, he panics. Fair enough for a pup whose needs for structure, exercise, a well-matched household, fewer hormones, and maybe medication... have clearly not been met. We learned quickly that he does have pretty extreme separation anxiety. He trashed and escaped from an XL wire crate and shredded the huge dog bed in it within 10 minutes of being crated. Other than that, he’s been an extraordinary houseguest.
He’s sweet with other dogs, doesn’t guard food/toys/water, and is pretty low key if we’re all hanging out. Classic velcro dog who sleeps with an eye half open- the second I go to another room, he’s up on his feet following me.
He’s just lovely with our three kids (8, 11, 13)- loves on them without knocking them around. And even though he marks *everything* outdoors, has not had an accident inside the house. Not sure how he is with cats. The right someone (or someones) could easily have a very happy life with this boy, but they’d need to put in some effort, training, and patience. Breaks my heart. He’s been left at least one time too many and it shows.
I cannot emphasize this enough that this is *not* an aggression case. I currently have three rescue dogs with their own list of issues (and three kids) and cannot keep him" FOR MORE INFO OR QUESTIONS, PLEASE CONTACT THE FINDER: Jess Walter at 406-239-7908.
