Size
(when grown) Large 61-100 lbs (28-45 kg)
Details
Good with kids,
Good with dogs,
Not good with cats,
Needs special attention,
Needs experienced adopter,
House-trained,
Spayed or Neutered,
Story
MARR covers Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Kentucky, Missouri, Nebraska, Oklahoma and Wisconsin. Ruth is being fostered in IN currently. However, transportation is available for adoptions within our coverage area. Ideally, prospective adopters would meet Rue a couple of times prior to a home transition.
If you have never met a dog who was not only one of the SMARTEST creatures alive, but also the cuddliest… look no further. Rue (AKA Ruth) is that, and more.
Rue’s showcase of cues and tricks is extensive, and she loves to perform for her family- her most recent trick, “play dead” brings laughter every time. Rue’s nose knows no bounds- she loves to explore quiet, open spaces on her long line, letting her sense of smell lead the way. She excels at scent games, including “find it” and food puzzles. She could easily be taught basic recreational tracking or even something like shed hunting, or she can just “find Mom” in the house for fun!
She is an enthusiastic learner, and is always game for training. She’s equally game for snuggling, couch potatoing, naps and movie nights. She has a great “off” switch! She’s wonderful for grooming by her humans, and she fully believes that she is a lap dog.
Rue has perfect house manners, including staying in her “place” when food it being prepared in the kitchen, but she will happy munch on a carrot or two if one is offered. She is crate trained and does well in a crate if needed, but can be trusted out in the house alone as well. She has a medium energy level, and her physical and mental needs are easily met with some play and a little training or mental enrichment each day. She has no resource guarding behaviors at all with known humans or dogs, but is fed separately in her current environment as that is how all the dogs are fed there.
Rue does struggle with stranger danger, and also struggles with some dog reactivity in situations where she does not know the other dog. However, with gradual introductions to confident people, she can learn to trust them and will then become their favorite snuggle buddy. She tends to be immediately at ease with most women, slower with men. She does tend to sense when people are nervous around her, and may react negatively, so introductions to new people should be done on an as-needed basis only to minimize any extra stress to her (i.e. family, frequent visitors, dog sitters).
Rue has successfully made several dog friends during training (with gradual intros) and she could live with a dog friend if that dog friend has the right temperament (laid back, non-assertive) and is introduced correctly. A confident, calm dog friend would actually be beneficial for Rue.
Rue walks fairly well on a leash, but if she is to be walked as a main form of exercise, care must be taken to ensure she has the space she needs from strangers and strange dogs while doing so. You do need to be physically able to handle a large dog who may react to triggers. Ideally, her new home would have a yard with a privacy fence that she can enjoy, or be in a quiet/rural area.
This special girl has been in our foster system for a long time, and although her current foster is very dedicated to her and her success and training, we want nothing more than to see this girl in a home of her own. She deserves that!! One look into her soulful, gorgeous eyes, and we know you’ll be hooked.
**Rue's adoption fee is SPONSORED!!**
**MARR will facilitate limited continued training with Rue's adopter to ensure a smooth transition!!**
