Australian Shepherd - Cupcake - Medium - Adult - Female - Dog in Arrington, Virginia For Sale

Australian Shepherd - Cupcake - Medium - Adult - Female - Dog
Humane Society/SPCA of Nelson County
ALMOST HOME
29 Stagebridge Road, Lovingston, VA xxxx9
434 263-xxxx
IMPORTANT!!! PLEASE READ
All animals are located at Almost Home at the above address with the following exceptions...(PSP) indicates they are located at Pets Supplies Plus, Charlottesville, VA; (FC=initials) indicates animal is living in Foster Care not at our shelter; Courtesy Postings - see bio for contact information as animals do not belong to Almost Home.
SO CUTE WITH TEDDY BEAR BROWN HEAD...
UPDATE 9/1/xxxx: From Cupcake's Foster Mom - Today Cupcake took a trip to the Madison Heights Lowe's for some distraction training and socializing. Lowe's is a GREAT place to train dogs. On numerous occasions I have taken dogs to the Madison Heights Lowe's to train, and I have NEVER had an issue. I've always asked, and they were happy to let us. The sights, sounds, textures, people, etc. make it ideal. But as we were walking in the store, we were stopped by a manager who said, 'The dog can only stay in the store if you put it in a cart.' What?!?! Because an irresponsible dog owner(s) allowed their dog(s) to BITE a customer, the Madison Heights Lowe's is now off-limits to anyone who wants to train or socialize a dog... unless you want to do it from a shopping cart.
While Cupcake did not immediately appreciate the open, checked, bottom of the cart, or the movement of it, or the noise - within five minutes and a few treats, she was happily riding around the store in the cart. She greeted people, tail wagging, and only attempted escape a few times. She always stopped when corrected. She is one SMART dog... She has energy to spare, but it is so easily channeled. She needs an active forever home to keep her mind engaged, and her loving heart safe. I was SO proud of her - she stayed in that cart, riding around the store, for two hours. Good dog, Cupcake.
UPDATE: 8/31/xxxx Cupcake continues to prove just how smart a girl she is. While at the Farmer's Market today, she learned to 'crawl' to get a treat. Cupcake truly has a lot of energy, but channeled in the right direction, she is a WONDERFUL dog. Her foster mom picks her up on weekends and within an hour of walking on a leash or running in the yard, Cupcake is settled and easy to manage. Imagine how easy she would be if she didn't have to spend all week at the shelter? She loves to ride in the car, and has grown to love attention from people. She is quite good with children. Cupcake still gets to visit her foster family on weekends, and is a favorite of the preschool crowd. Cupcake enjoys coming in the house, and remembers her crate training. If you are an active family, who enjoys jogging, hiking or other outdoor adventures - Cupcake just might be the dog for you. Update 8/19/12: At the recent Sweet Briar Adoption event, Cupcake was taught new tricks in about five minutes and loved the agility course. She later jumped a five foot wall when she heard her
previous foster mom on the other side. She leaned into people and smiled throughout the whole day. Update 8/13/13: Cupcake will be going back to the shelter this week.... Cupcake continues to learn quickly. We think she would do very well with a job like agility or search and rescue. Being a smaller dog, she is easy to carry - has a good nose (hound) and is highly trainable (heeler mix). Her foster family has to return her to the shelter, though, as her energy level is not working out well with their six other dogs. A caution to potential adopters: while Cupcake is NOT aggressive, she is a catalyst for some unwanted behaviors. Her high energy must be properly directed, or other dogs get very annoyed with her. That said, she is easily diverted by treats, and with a little time and one on one training will be an excellent companion or working dog. Unfortunately, with full-time jobs and six other dogs, her foster family could not give her that one on one training she now needs. Cupcake helped her foster family find every weak spot in their fence. Once fixed, she did not escape any long
CHARACTERISTICS:
Breed: Australian Shepherd
Size: Medium
Petfinder ID: xxxxxxxx
ADDITIONAL INFO:
Pet has been spayed/neutered
CONTACT:
Humane Society/SPCA of Nelson County | Lovingston, VA | 434-263-xxxx
For additional information, reply to this ad or see: http://www.petfinder.com/petnote/displaypet.cgi?petid=xxxxxxxx
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