Scout
Australian cattle dog Mix | female | 1 year Old | 51 Lbs
QUICK FACTS: ✔️ Good with dogs! ✔️ Crate trained! ✔️ Housebroken! ✔️ Good in car! ✔️ Good running buddy! ✔️ Walks well on leash!
✔️ Loves to learn new tricks! ✔️ Enjoys doggy daycare! ✔️ Treadmill trained! ❌ No kids! ❌ Needs an experienced owner!
Updates
Scout found her home 9/11/21!
PUPDATE 6
Not much has changed in Scout's day-to-day. Playtime with dogs is her favorite thing ever, with a close second being her treadmill time. Ever since playing in the pools at daycare, Scout has been obsessed with wading pools and even the outdoor water bucket and loves playing in, laying in, and of course drinking the water. Her foster siblings have taught her how much fun it is to chase squirrels and outdoor rabbits when they have permission to chase them -- she still shares a room with our indoor rabbits and loves watching them but has never shown any chasing tendencies towards them. She loves when obstacle courses are created for her to navigate, is enthusiastic to explore new places, and can never spend enough time outside.
She still has hesitancy with humans, and while her opinion of humans can vary day-to-day, her social circle is slowly expanding. This will be a life-long commitment to ensure she does not revert back to her tiny circle of trust. Scout has started learning how to run next to a bicycle and is excited for even more adventures. She has learned the yard boundaries and is very reliable in respecting them, though we're still cautious if there are unfamiliar people around. All-in-all, Scout is a quick wit with a huge personality, there is never a dull moment with her around. One skill she will never have is a very good poker face -- you can always tell exactly what she's thinking!
PUPDATE 5
Scout has come so far over the last few weeks and as of this pupdate, is just a few days shy of the 100th day in her foster home. We mention this number only to put into perspective the transformation she's been on if you've been following her previous pupdates. Fetch and Scout's foster home would also like to include a huge shoutout to Tailwaggers for joining in on Scout's journey to her forever home! Check out the pictures of Scout soaking wet in the pool -- daycare and pools; two things we didn't think were in Scout's future when she moved into our home several weeks ago. But, daily she is proving the possibilities are limitless if you're committed to her success. Scout still needs slow introductions to new humans, but persistence pays off and she has even befriended a few daycare attendants!
In her foster home, things are much the same. Scout still thrives with structure and schedules; we've just adjusted her social calendar to include more daycare days. When she comes home in the evenings, she either runs with her foster parent or pack walks with her foster siblings, earns dinner, sometimes plays with her foster siblings, or other times is just ready for a snoozle and crashes on a comfy dog bed or stretches out in her crate for the night. "A tired dog is a well-behaved dog" is a saying that holds very true with Scout.
PUPDATE 4
I finally got my paws on a computer so I can tell you about the last few weeks from my own point of view!
Apparently there are previous updates about how I get really attached to my people. My foster mom has been doing a ton of work with me teaching me life is just fine if we just live together, that I don't need to be attached to her hip. I tend to prefer females to males, but I do just fine with both. I still get a little bit nervous when I'm walked away from people I know, but my foster fam tells me to put on my brave girl pants and it'll be okay. I don't know what they're talking about - I don't wear pants! But I guess I look silly carrying on like they're never coming back for me. So far, these people have always come back for me when they said they would - maybe not all humans are scary and shouldn't be trusted!
One new thing I'm trying out is daycare! My first day I was really nervous and got sent home early. But then my foster mom and the daycare staff came up with a new plan, so a couple weeks later I tried again. This time, I walked right in and played all day! I was so tired when I came home. I love playing with other dogs, and this thing called daycare has so many new friends for me to make! My foster mom said I could go back a couple days a week - I'll let you all know how it goes! My foster mom did want me to remind you though - new experiences might always be a little scary and you'll need to continue to help me be brave. But, she promised she'd talk through all of this with you if you decide you'd like to meet me. And don't forget you'll have an opportunity to work with Canine Clarity before we start our new life together, too!
Oh! The biggest change in my life: My foster fam thought I could use a change of scenery, so now I have rabbits for roommates rather than the other dogs in my foster home. I heard it was something about that "structure" stuff in my life. I don't know, but they make good roommates! I've never lived with cats, or until now, rabbits, so apparently the humans weren't sure how I'd do. But, I don't care! They do weird rabbit things, sometimes they're entertaining, but usually when I'm in my crate, I just play with my toys or nap. If you do have cats or other animals I might be living with, you'll still want to do slow introductions with me, and I might not have the same opinions of them as I do my current roommates or even canine housemates, but I've been told I'm very adaptable.
If you have any questions about me, or would like to meet me, the Adoption Team would be happy to answer them for you!
Woofs & Kisses,
Scout
PUPDATE 3
If you've been asking yourself, "I wonder what a typical day for Scout really looks like," we have the in-depth exclusive for you!
Scout doesn't lead a "typical pet dog life" as she gets very bored without an outlet for her boundless energy, so we structure her days to make sure her needs are met. Unfortunately for her, we live in a quiet suburban neighborhood, so her true desire of cattle or sheep herding, a hobby farm to wander, or endless space to explore mean we need to be a little creative so she's not leading an unfulfilled life.
She sleeps kenneled until the humans get up, sometime between 6-9 a.m. depending on the day. She's flexible on wake-up times and hangs out quietly until she's released from her crate. She goes outside for a quick restroom break, followed by either running a few miles with her foster parent or an hour or so on the treadmill. After her run, she earns breakfast, usually from a puzzle toy. Her initial energy needs having been met, Scout spends the next few hours napping in her crate. Around mid-day, she gets 30-60 minutes of playtime, usually in the yard, with her foster siblings. Then she rests in her crate again for awhile. Her evening activities are a little more varied and we choose from things like:
Another run or some treadmill time,
Fetch in the backyard,
A long walk,
Hiking on nearby trails,
Earning dinner through obedience and recently a little trick training,
Shredding and de-squeaking toys,
Another play session with her foster siblings.
She's then ready to settle into her crate for bed, again depending on the humans' schedule, between 8-10 p.m.
Now, you may be wondering, is this really sustainable?! By this point, structure and positive outlets for energy have come second-nature to me as I've lived with a wicked smart, equally high-energy, drivey dog of my own for the past five years. That dog, if left to her own devices at Scout's age, made terrible decisions like eating through walls and shredding area rugs, so we've learned from experience and have a much better toolkit to manage Scout's needs - and thus set you and Scout up for a lifetime of success!
Scout is in a foster home that is fortunate to work from home full-time and have a flexible schedule. If you do work a more traditional schedule, she is still very manageable; just will need a long walk or run in the morning, ideally another walk mid-day or some fetch in the backyard, and then another walk, some playtime, etc. in the evenings. If you already have a pupper looking for a playmate - even better! Scout loves every dog she's met thus far and, as long as they don't mind a little rougher of a play style, will likely help you out with her physical energy needs. We really do realize cattle herding is in short supply these days, so if you're just a high-energy individual looking for an equally high-energy adventure partner, Scout just might be your girl!
PUPDATE 2
Scout is proving to be a very reliable and well-mannered pup in her foster home! She has met several dogs of various sizes, ages, genders, and temperaments and done very well with each of them. She enjoys running, playing, and chasing outdoors but knows indoors is time for playing with toys and being chill. Now that spring weather seems to have arrived, Scout enjoys lounging on the deck with her foster dog sisters. Her foster home has a walkthrough screen door to an enclosed deck so she's been loving the freedom to come and go to the deck as she wishes. She also enjoys a few miles of running, walking, and hiking most days, sometimes on her own, and sometimes with her foster siblings. She walks very well as a part of a pack.
Let's talk more about Scout's tendency to bond to her humans: Scout has it in her nature to protect her resources. She doesn't guard "typical" things -- like toys or food. Instead, she wants to guard her people and their home. This manifests as Scout emitting a low, soft growl if we pass people walking in close proximity. When Scout responds this way, she receives a quick prong collar correction and the assurance her handler has the situation under control and Scout doesn't need to fend for herself. It is very easy to break Scout's focus on an uncertain situation and ensure it doesn't escalate further than Scout alerting you there's a new person in your bubble.
Scout hasn't met many people while in her foster home, but she does alert to new people at the door. We are training the door to be a cue to go to her crate, rather than charge the door. Now that she has a pretty good handle on people at the door being a cue to go to her crate, we've begun addressing the barking. This is still a work in progress, but she's catching on quickly to the reassurance that, if her people assure her the person at the door is okay, she can chill out. We will definitely share the training plan we've been working through with Scout on this to set you up for the most success possible in your home.
Scout has a few quirks that are really more personality traits and will likely be with her long-term and she will look to you for guidance. Overall, she is a fantastic dog and a great houseguest. She:
Has never had an accident indoors,
Is fully crate trained, recognizes her crate is her safe space, and loves hanging out in it as needed,
Waits very patiently for her meals - and even eats them slowly enough to enjoy them,
Is very quiet indoors - aside from alerting someone may be at the door - but even these alerts are decreasing and she is becoming very good about running to her crate and waiting quietly for direction from her humans. But when she hears dogs barking outside or her foster siblings advise her there's a cat outside, she couldn't care less,
Loves entertaining herself with toys! She is an expert squeaker destroyer and stuffing de-stuffer and will ensure your toy population remains in check,
Is not bothered by the robot vacuum that runs nightly, thunderstorms and other loud noises,
Loves car rides and hops up into her crate as soon as the door is open, lays down, and is quiet the entire ride,
Respects the house rules: Has never attempted to get onto furniture, sits and waits at doorways, and doesn't bother her foster siblings during mealtimes or fight over her toys, and
Will play fetch with you for hours if you'd like - it's her favorite game!
PUPDATE 1
Scout is a very special pup searching for an equally special family. She requires: patience, leadership, persistence, acceptance, love, and adventure. If this sounds like you, Scout just may let you into her very exclusive inner circle!
If you've been fans of Fetch for a while, you may remember a huge litter of adorable cattle mix puppies who joined the Fetch family in March of last year Scout was one of those puppies! To no fault of her own, Scout wasn't as fortunate as her siblings to settle in and settle down so she's spent the last year bouncing around. She and her littermates joined Fetch when they were a few weeks old, just as the pandemic began. Soon after, she moved across the country, back to Wisconsin, and into a few different situations and homes once back. This much change is a lot for an adult human to navigate. But for a puppy trying to figure out life, and humans, and how to be a dog -- pretty impossible.
Fetch knows how much potential this young pup has and is committed to seeing her succeed! After an entire year of couch surfing, Scout spent two months with Canine Clarity, graduated with a huge new set of manners, is hanging out with a foster home who's polishing up her new outlook on life, and, because she really hopes the move to her future family will be her last, Scout has promised to be a little picky about her new family. We'll support you and Scout on your new adventure and make sure you have a go-home session with Canine Clarity to start you off on the right foot.
Scout and Humans:
Scout's early mindset on humans was they're inconsistent, scary, and shouldn't be trusted. If she accepts you into her circle of trust, she bonds to you and bonds hard! Once she chooses her human(s), in the past, she has developed stranger danger toward anyone she does not see as "her people." Canine Clarity trainers put in a ton of work to reset this mindset, and both they and her current foster home recognize they're bridges to her, hopefully, final destination -- so boundaries have been very clearly enforced with her:
Furniture is for the humans, not for the dogs.
Affection is earned, not given freely.
Affection is given outside the home.
Indoors is for being calm and coexisting; outside is for fun and adventure.
Privileges must be asked for and earned.
I know, I know - this may sound a little heartless! And reading it on paper makes it sound like Scout is living an absolutely boring, unfulfilling life. But, in practice, it's actually the opposite! Because Scout earns all her privileges, daily life becomes an experience for her, rather than predictable monotony that can occur if we get into a set routine. It's also setting her up for future success.
A couple of Scout's littermates have been DNA tested, so based on their results, it seems Scout is primarily an Australian Cattle Dog, mixed with Border Collie and Collie. As such, Scout needs a job to do. If you're into ultra-hiking or have some cattle for her to herd - perfect! If not, we need to get a little more creative to make sure her needs are fulfilled and her desire to work is met. Scout has only been in her foster home a week, but has already shown how much structure in her life helps her thrive.
Scout will need slow introductions to new people. If you're a busy household with several daily comings and goings, this will likely be an overwhelming environment for her. Because there has been so much change in her life, we're recommending a home with ideally no kids, but definitely no young kids. High school-age and above is preferred. When we pass kids playing, running, and biking in the neighborhood on our daily walks, Scout shows little to no interest in them. She also has never lived in a home with young kids.
Scout and Animals:
Scout currently lives with a small group of dogs and has shown she can coexist with them and even enjoy playing with them. You should be prepared to do slow introductions between Scout and other dogs - but we are happy to help you with this process! Additionally, Scout can walk through a neighborhood during peak dog walking hours with no problem! We live in a fairly quiet residential neighborhood, but almost every home has at least one dog. One of our favorite activities is showing off Scout's stellar obedience in our front yard while dogs who are not nearly as well behaved as she is try their best to distract her. :) She does glance toward these passersby, but is much more interested in the task at hand: Usually earning her dinner through training.
To remain successful, Scout should not live with cats.
Scout's Energy Levels and Desire to Work:
Plain and simply: Scout is a high-energy young pup with a wicked quick mind. She has an extensive repertoire of obedience, and LOVES learning new things every day! If you're looking for a pup to try agility or other dog sports out with, Scout might be your girl! She loves long walks and enjoys running. She's great on a leash! She currently walks on a prong collar to keep her accountable; she has an impeccable heel. We haven't encountered wildlife/small animals on our walks yet, but when we see dogs going crazy, she's been pretty consistent in looking to her handler for reassurance and not engaging with them. She is treadmill trained; however, if you haven't worked with a dog and a treadmill before, it is recommended you consult a trainer first. Scout also enjoys playing with other dogs. When playtime is over, she has no problem entertaining herself with toys and working on puzzles. And might even settle in for a nap!
Scout still shows some uncertainty in new situations. Her forever family will need to be willing to advocate for her; let her know the situation is in your control and she has nothing to worry about. In return, Scout will reward you with immeasurable loyalty..
Scout has a few quirks that are really more personality traits and will likely be with her long-term and she will look to you for guidance. Overall, she is a fantastic dog and a great houseguest. She:
Has never had an accident indoors,
Is fully crate trained, recognizes her crate is her safe space, and loves hanging out in it as needed,
Waits very patiently for her meals - and even eats them slowly enough to enjoy them,
Is very quiet indoors - aside from alerting someone may be at the door - but even these alerts are decreasing and she is becoming very good about running to her crate and waiting quietly for direction from her humans. But when she hears dogs barking outside or her foster siblings advise her there's a cat outside, she couldn't care less,
Loves entertaining herself with toys! She is an expert squeaker destroyer and stuffing de-stuffer and will ensure your toy population remains in check,
Is not bothered by the robot vacuum that runs nightly, thunderstorms and other loud noises,
Loves car rides and hops up into her crate as soon as the door is open, lays down, and is quiet the entire ride,
Respects the house rules: Has never attempted to get onto furniture, sits and waits at doorways, and doesn't bother her foster siblings during mealtimes or fight over her toys, and
Will play fetch with you for hours if you'd like - it's her favorite game!