It’s time to reintroduce our girl, Connie! Connie was adopted last February but her journey took a detour when she started to show concerning behaviours, some in response to changes in her adopter’s world. It was clear that Connie needed some extra support to thrive and she was enrolled in a board and train program with @grassrootsk9. Connie has shown to be an A+ student and thanks to her trainers, we now have a deeper understanding of the type of home that is best for her!

First things first for Miss Connie: she’ll have her best chance for success as an only child! Though Connie has previously lived with other dogs, it’s become clear that she much prefers an environment where she can be the star of the show. Right now, Connie is trained around other dogs on a daily basis (always leashed). She’s shown that playing with other dogs isn’t something she’s interested in and will remain neutral when dogs are around, favouring her handler. If out on a walk, she’ll calmly walk past and doesn’t show an interest in saying hello. The key is for Connie to trust her handler, and one way to build that trust is for her handler to avoid putting Connie in uncomfortable situations (a dog park, for instance). She tends to behave the same way around new people: she’s 100% fine with most people she meets, but if something about a new person’s presence makes her uneasy, she will be submissive, which is her way of signaling that she doesn’t want to be touched. In these situations, Connie has been learning to remain neutral and move on.

The perfect home for Connie would be one with a backyard, close proximity to walking trails, and with someone who’s committed to continuing with the training and structure that has contributed to her successes. Connie has been enjoying time on a 10-acre farm and has taken a real liking to an outdoor space where she can play and nap! A home away from the hustle and bustle of the city is also preferable. She is stellar on the leash, walking in a tight heel or, occasionally, a focused heel (in which she looks at her handler instead of what’s ahead). Connie loves learning and training, so incorporating training sessions into her daily activity is a great way to provide mental stimulation and keep her skills sharp! She’s fallen in love with her trainers and is regularly affectionate with those she knows (belly rubs are her fave!). When she’s not training or playing with her ball, Connie is also great at hanging on her own and likes to relax on her place command.

Connie is spayed, microchipped and up to date with her vaccines. She’s potty trained and absolutely loves her crate. She had reconstructive surgery when she was a puppy (a result of being hit by a car), so glucosamine supplements are highly recommended to support her joints. It’s also best that she remains trim to avoid bad arthritis as she ages!

Connie is the perfect reminder that no two paths of dog ownership are alike. Our pups rely on us to tune in to what they need to thrive. Thankfully we were able to access the resources to help Connie move in the right direction! This very deserving and special gal is ready to match with her new family and continue showing off all of her new skills!

SOCIABILITY: Humans (adults and older children)
ENERGY: Medium
QUIRKS: When she wags her tail, her entire butt moves back and forth!
TRAINING NEEDS: Continued implementation of the training and structure as determined by the team at Grassroots K9
WEIGHT: 47lbs
MEDICAL NEEDS: Glucosamine supplements
FOSTER LOCATION: Dundalk (Grassroots K9 Farm)