Collie puppies and dogs in London, Ontario

**IF THIS LISTING IS STILL POSTED THIS DOG IS STILL AVAILABLE FOR ADOPTION. NO NEED TO EMAIL ASKING IF THE DOG IS AVAILABLE. PLEASE READ THROUGH THIS BIO THOROUGHLY AS INFORMATION ON HOW TO APPLY IS CONTAINED IN THIS LISTING** For Adoption: Texas! Please read our dog bios carefully to be sure that the dog you are applying for suits your family and lifestyle. We at PDR believe in the benefits of post-adoption training for our dogs and their families. This allows for continued socialization, learning and helps to create a well-mannered and balanced dog. Post-adoption training is a requirement in our adoption process. To apply for adoption and for more information on our process and requirements, visit our website at https://pounddog.ca/adoption-info/ Let me introduce you to Texas. He is a lovely 60lbs, 9 month old boy. He is a mix of at least a Collie and German Shepherd but there are other things in there too. His eagerness to learn and his smarts come from both breeds, his personality shows off his love for life and people-oriented side of the Collie and his alertness to watching the home shows his Shepherd side. He loves kids and adults but if someone comes to the house in the dark he will bark and let you know someone is there.  Texas had a hard start in life. He was found as a stray in December, had a bad left eye, scars on his face and we eventually found out he had an old injury to his back leg. We also found he had a lot of different worms and parasites including rare lung worms and gave him the meds to help make him feel better and clear all those up. We are so lucky Pound Dog Rescue found him and got all the extensive vet work done for him. He had an eye specialist consultation in Toronto that found he had a detached retina and glaucoma among other things which wouldn’t get better so the vets removed his left eye to make Texas’s eye pain free. He had no vision in it anyway so it was no loss to him and only made his life better. Texas is also going to physio to help the injured back leg become strong, just like his other legs. This is currently still on going and may possibly need more sessions in the future to continue his improvements. He does great at his physio. Despite all this pain and sickness Texas absolutely loves people. He wants to go meet everyone when he is out on his walks and at home. It doesn’t matter who is on the couch, if you let him he will come snuggle up with you and fall sound asleep. One evening I had to move him to his crate after he fell asleep and he barely woke up. Texas does really well in the home and is fully house trained. He will paw at the bells on the door to be asked out, but he hasn’t figured out how to ask to be let back in yet and will usually just sit and wait until you figure it out. If you do take too long he will bark so hopefully he will figure out he can bark sooner to be let in. He is, what I will describe as an active lazy dog. He loves playing in the backyard by himself or with another dog, going for walks, exploring trails, whatever the day brings. But, he really does enjoy his naps and bedtime. So if you only like to go on one or two short walks per day during the week but then on the weekend go for a long hike, then this dog is for you! Right now we find that about every 3 days he needs a long walk or big play with another dog to keep him happy. He is still a puppy so if he doesn’t get the exercise he needs he will start taking it out on things he shouldn’t and getting into mischief. Texas is crate trained and will sleep all night in his crate. It is currently in same room as his foster people, but as he is getting more comfortable I think he will eventually be able to sleep in another room if needed. He does go into his crate willingly but occasionally he will be trying to show you he wants to be a “big boy” and be able to sleep on a dog bed and not the crate. Although he probably would be good to do so we still put him in the crate to keep up his crate training. If he needs to be left at home during the day, he does best when he has had adequate exercise so he is calmer but he is getting better at this as well. Usually, the longer he has to be in the crate during the day, the more tired he should be before you leave him. Currently we can leave him during the day for an hour with no issues, or after about 7pm he is fine for at least 3 hours but probably could go longer when needed. He may also let out a few barks and howls at the beginning but it doesn’t last long. He would be looking for a home where he isn’t left alone for more than a few hours. He is not a dog that will do well being alone for a full work day. Texas has full run of the house now when someone is home, with the exception to one carpeted bedroom just in case.  He has done really well, he will play by himself with toys or bones or find a spot to take a nap. He does like to be with his people but will occasionally leave to go sleep in a quieter place alone. He may need this more so if there are young kids in the house. Texas would be ok for a family with older children, 8yrs and up as long as they are dog savvy and know that Texas is a big puppy so play needs to be at a calm level. Texas does like kids and just depending on the introduction, might either be shy - we met some kids on our walk and they were in full snow gear so Texas was a little shy to go say hi - or he might be in full play mode which does mean mouth play. Texas doesn’t bite down hard but those teeth are still sharp so he will need to be watched around little kids and older kids will need to know the right way to play with Texas so they don’t encourage mouth play. Texas loves to play tug and is getting better at fetch. Texas is fostered with another large dog and a cat. He loves his foster dog sibling and loves playing with her and hanging out with her. He would love another dog in the home that enjoys running and wrestling type play. He would also be fine being the only dog, but would like some regular play dates with friendly dogs. He is not a suitable dog for dog parks though, with his partial vision and recovering leg injury dog parks are a big no for him; supervised play with another dog one on one is what is best for him. Texas is good with dog savvy cats too. He is a big puppy still so does like to chase if they run, but a verbal correction reminds him that this isn’t allowed, and a dog savvy cat that doesn’t run from him won’t entice the desire to chase. Texas loves his walks and does well. He is starting to really like exploring so is starting to pull a bit more. The new family will need to work with their trainer to continue keeping him a nice loose leash walker. Texas will love obedience school and will certainly be head of the class with his ability to catch on to new skills quickly.   Texas is also great in the car and will usually fall asleep - looking at you if he can. Texas loved the snow this past winter and would dig holes or tunnels like a little kid. I think he would be a great dog for adventures or camping trips, he just wants to go with you no matter where you go! If you are looking for a great companion for all your adventures, this is your dog! Texas wants to do it all, and go all the places. He loves accompanying his foster family to all sorts of fun places and new adventures and its so great for his socialization. His hard life before is in his past, he has a bright future ahead. He is over it and only looking forward now! Name: Texas ID # PDR1331 Age: 9mths Gender: male Neutered: yes UTD vaccines: yes Breed: Collie/German Shepherd Colours: tan Coat length: short House trained: yes Special needs: no OK with kids: older OK with cats: yes, dog savvy only Ok with dogs: yes Status: adoptable Microchip: yes Size: large Location: Fergus Adoption fee: $900