My name is Ruby - Cattle Dog X!

FOSTER OR FOREVER HOME NEEDED BEFORE JANUARY 2025!
Meet Ruby, a spirited and unique ~6-year-old Cattle Dog/Husky mix, weighing about 50-55 lbs, who’s ready for her new adventure with a forever family! Ruby originally came to us in 2020, and although her current owner has given her so much love, a recent change in their living situation means she’s now looking for a new home. Ruby has grown immensely since her early days, overcoming much of her initial anxiety and undersocialization, but she still thrives with structure, routine, and an active lifestyle. She’s happiest with a dedicated and engaged handler who can give her the mental and physical stimulation she loves.

About Ruby: Ruby is a dog who needs more than just a daily walk—she’s happiest when she’s mentally and physically engaged, with plenty of outdoor time. Her previous training in K9 search and rescue (airscent) shows her love for working alongside her person, and she’s even passed the AKC Canine Good Citizen test. She’s energetic, intelligent, and has a strong herding instinct, so she’ll thrive in a home where she can run, play, and keep her mind stimulated.

Ideal Home: Ruby would love a home with an experienced dog owner who understands high-energy breeds and the quirks that can come from backyard breeding. She’ll do best in a structured environment where she can have clear routines and guidance to manage her anxiety, particularly during transitions like getting in and out of the car or adjusting to new places.

Ruby gets along well with other dogs and even cats—she’s never shown any prey drive toward cats and respects boundaries. She can be dominant with other dogs, displaying some herding behaviors like chasing and nipping, but she responds well to correction and can maintain neutrality in most situations. Ruby adores kids and accepts most strangers, making her a great family companion if her home can provide the active, engaged environment she craves.

Training Needs: Ruby is intelligent and benefits from calm but firm guidance. She occasionally struggles with anxiety and can sometimes get “stuck” in repetitive behaviors, like pacing or lip-smacking, though these episodes are now rare and manageable. Because of her need for structure, she requires crating when unsupervised, especially since her anxiety can lead to destructive behavior with soft items. She responds to leash pressure as a quick and effective way to redirect her when she gets overly excited or anxious.

Dietary & Medical Needs: Ruby has a few special dietary needs due to allergies. She’s allergic to poultry, soy, and certain unidentified proteins, so she does best on a fish-based diet supplemented with yogurt, coconut oil, and fruits or veggies. She’s also allergic to pollen, which sometimes causes flare-ups in the summer. An herbal anti-itch shampoo works wonders for her, as well as a chlorhexidine treatment if she has a serious reaction. Ruby has soft teeth, likely due to early malnutrition, so she can’t have hard chews—if it doesn’t dent under a fingernail, it’s too tough for her.

Drives: Ruby has a high prey drive, so she may chase small animals, and has a medium to high food drive, making her responsive to treat-based training. She enjoys soft toys and sometimes plays tug or fetch but isn’t intensely toy-driven.

Ruby’s quirks and energy are part of what make her such a lovable, unique dog, and she’ll be the happiest in a home where her personality and needs are understood. If you’re ready for an active, intelligent, and loyal companion, Ruby could be the perfect addition to your family!

Trained behaviors list
Sit Down
Stand
Stay Wait
Come
Back up
Pull
In front (walk in front)
Loose (walk wherever you want on leash)
Free (off-leash release command)
Here (snap to heel position and sit)
Heel
Heel with automatic sit at doors
Off-leash heel
Off-leash recall
Automatic check-ins when hiking off leash
Switch (to different sides of handler)
Roll
Crawl
Sit pretty
Paws up (on object)
Shake/switch
High five
Up (onto something)
Jump (over, through something)
Jump up (launch into the air)
Under
Through
Spin
Turn (half spin)
Get in (between legs)
Watch (guard - focus on a person)
Speak
Whisper
Quiet
Get it (fetch)
Balance (object on nose)
Take it nicely
Indicate objects ("where is __ ?")
Kennel
Bed/place ("go to your spot")
What do you want (will indicate outside, etc.)