Hello, world! I am Duke and as you can see by my photo, I am a very dapper young 42 lb pupper. I currently live in North Texas and am around five years old; out of those five, I have been living with a professional trainer for four of those! So as you can imagine, I am a very good boy. Plus, I am UTD on all vaccines, preventatives, am neutered, chipped and am as healthy as can be.
While I live on a fabulous property with excellent care, I long for my own home and own people. Right now, many dogs come and go from the trainers and while I love playing with most other doggies, especially female dogs, I would prefer a quiet space all to my own with my own people and doggie siblings. Although I really do not like the doodle dog that lives here at all, most dogs are cool!
I LOVE my crate and will need a safe, clean crate where I can find respite and peace. You see, I do easily get scared of new people and experiences so I will need more time than other dogs to adjust. But let me tell you, if you are worthy of my love, you will be honored with being granted permission to pet my belly and I will even allow you to hug me. I don't even mind it if you touch my paws, nails, teeth, ears or if you groom me, either. While I like pretty much all people, don’t expect me to just give my trust to you on day one. I take my time.
My past is part fame and part mystery. My trainer thinks I have some PTSD because she says she has to trick me by distracting me to put on my collar. I was too young to remember what horrors happened to me in my puppyhood but if you think you are going to just slip on a collar willy nilly, I may have to give you a warning nip. I do not like it. I also use a wire-coated leash because leashes are from Satan and should be destroyed; I think many dogs would agree with me there. But my trainer is happy to show you how to distract me with cheese to get it on. You have to be the sort of person who can follow directions. I also do not resource guard food but I will bark at barriers. Have you seen those videos of two dogs between fences making mean, scary faces but when the people open the gate, they are super polite and chill? Yeah, they got that idea from me–I mean, I am a shepherd, hello.
I mentioned fame because when I was first found I made the news. Evidently I was running for days up and down the tarmac at the airport. But don’t worry, because I was smart enough to not get hit and I didn’t even delay a single flight!
Despite being somewhat famous, I am also handsome. I love it when my people play “chase me.” I love to be chased. I also like it when my step dad wrestles with me. I am very gentle with my mouth. I am not really a ball or toy kinda fella so hey, save your money! I love to sunbathe and I am pretty lazy.
If you are looking for a “hiking buddy” or a “brewery dog” I am not your Duke. I love to lay around and be near my people. In fact, I am pretty street smart and I allow strangers to calmly say hello. I like most people of all varieties but will do best in a home where I am not alone, and where there are no small children. I don't care about cats or chickens. If you are a squirrel though, game on!
Basically, I am young but I like to think I am in an early retirement. I want to lounge mostly with some fun zoomie time occasionally.
I am hoping someone with a female dog, no dog, or the right male dog will be interested in me just being around. I require a meet and greet if you have a dog. I dont require a lot of exercise but I like to be acknowledged so you should be home most of the day. I want to live inside, with a nice crate, be walked occasionally on my special leash, and if you have land, that's awesome too. If you have water that's even more wonderful as I love to swim and splash but that is not a deal breaker. I need someone who is patient. I have lived with a trainer for FOUR years and I am who I am at this point. You must be patient when you meet me and you must follow the trainer’s rules for leash, crate, and collar.
So, is that someone you? Can YOU follow rules? If so, we may have a beautiful future together. If you are interested in adopting me, please fill out an application. I deserve my own home and humans to pamper me.
Here is the link to the application:
https://www.australianshepherdsfurever.org/adoption-application
There is an additional $20 microchip fee which includes registration and transfer to my new furever family.
