Maisie Lou

Maisie Lou is mostly Australian Shepherd. She was dumped with her bed and remained a stray for a couple of weeks before being trapped by animal control. She was underweight when she arrived but is now at a healthy weight. Even though she is almost two years old, she is very much still a young puppy at heart.

Maisie Lou loves adventures. Her favorite things are car rides, going to the park, playing fetch (but not for too long), her stuffed dog “Biscuit,” other toys, snuggle time, and her foster sibling. She has a moderate amount of energy but also settles easily and needs her morning and afternoon naps. She is treat-motivated. She learns best through consistency, routines, and structured protocols, but also does well with short one-on-one training sessions.

She is crate-trained but sleeps through the night in a regular dog bed. She settles in the crate easily when needed. Maisie Lou is a goofy, funny, wiggly girl who loves to “talk” to you with snorts, whines, and other adorable noises. She is housebroken and will let you know when she needs to go outside. She walks well on a leash and has recently graduated from a sidekick leash to working with a harness. She gets along with older children. She is not suited for children under 12. She also has a strong prey drive for squirrels, rabbits, and similar small animals.

After a little less than a week in our home, Maisie Lou began showing some reactivity toward anyone other than myself, including family members and visitors. It became clear that she had experienced trauma early in life. She was very skittish around loud noises, people in the kitchen, anyone carrying large items, and sudden movements, often hiding in closets or behind furniture.

Maisie Lou has made tremendous progress. With the assistance of a trainer, the implementation of structured protocols, and a thoughtful plan for introducing her to strangers, she has become much more comfortable in her environment. She has expanded her “safe space” to include all family members, friends, and even the pet sitter. She has improved so much that we have started taking her to the park, where she does not react to other people or dogs. She will self-crate when she feels uncomfortable or needs space, and she is learning to self-regulate her emotions and excitement. She continues to work on impulsivity, manners such as jumping, and basic commands.

Maisie Lou would need a family that is patient and willing to give her time to adjust to a new home while continuing to work with her on routines and protocols. She will likely need a few months to fully settle in. She would thrive in an active home that enjoys adventures and having her as a companion on them. She would prefer a home where someone is present during the day. She would probably do fine as an only dog but would prefer having another dog companion.

Maisie Lou needs a yard or access to another area often where she can run and play. She also requires a securely fenced yard. She will not be adopted into a home that uses any type of invisible fencing system or shock/stimulation collars.