Ollie

Courtesy post...desperate plea for help from Ollie's owner. Contact bncattelino@gmail or 303-746-4799 (in class a lot so may not be able to return calls for several hours). "Hello, My name is Brianna. With great sadness, I am looking for a new home for my 4-year-old Australian Cattle Dog mix, Ollie. I am a third year medical student about to start 80-hour work weeks in the hospital. Unfortunately, I do not have any family nearby able to help with walks or willing to take him full-time for my next two years of school. If I were at the end of my education rather than in the middle, I would absolutely keep Ollie. He has brought me so much joy (and plenty of exercise) over the past four years that relinquishing him is devastating. Please pardon the long description, but Ollie is a complicated pup, and I want to provide all the necessary information. Ollie's personality shines in the comfort of his home. He is an absolute goof ball and makes everyone he trusts laugh all the time with his antics. He is a stick-chomper, tug-lover, squeaker afficionado, and destroyer of all but the most durable toys. After a morning walk, he is content to settle on his (Serta) bed and gaze out the window while his people are off at work. Anytime one of his people comes home, he is there at the door, toy in mouth and tail wagging furiously. If you cover up with a blanket, he'll be right there cuddled up at your feet (armchair or bed, he will cuddle anywhere). He loves butt scratches and won't hesitate to put his rear end in your face to get what he wants. He is house trained, crate trained (begrudgingly), and muzzle trained. He is an incredibly smart boy, learns quickly and is motivated to please you. He knows all of the standard commands as well as things like "touch," "look," "wait," "check in," etc.. In full transparency, Ollie does have a bite history - single punctures or bruises that have not required medical attention. He has generalized anxiety and fear-based reactivity, but his triggers are mostly predictable and manageable. Because of this anxiety, he'd do best in a home with no other dogs or cats and either no children or children old enough to give him space until he trusts them. In the best-case scenario, he'd love a home with access to a yard or fenced area. We usually go on two walks/runs/hikes per day. He is a high exercise-need dog (comes with the anxious territory), but he's the best walking partner. Honestly, I have forgotten how to go for walks and runs without him. He can walk past other humans with no issue, and he does not lunge at cars, bikes, skateboarders, etc.. He'll sometimes whine at a dog, but he is easily redirected in most situations. If, for example, a dog is running towards him (on or off-leash) and he is triggered, we step off the path, and I have him sit receiving treats until the "threat" passes. He also loves any kind of ball and would much rather have you chase him than play fetch. I like to say Ollie "can" do anything - you just have to be cautious when approaching new situations. Ollie can meet some dogs on or off leash. He absolutely adores younger dogs and is hardly bothered by smaller dogs. Larger dogs trigger him more often than small dogs, but which of the larger dogs will trigger him is difficult for me (as a first-time dog owner) to ascertain. We've been working with a dog trainer/walker on meeting new dogs, and we always use a muzzle. I try to keep an eye out for signs that he is overwhelmed and remove him from the situation when I recognize his signs. He enjoys wrestling and playing keep away with dogs he likes, but he can demonstrate food and toy aggression (towards other dogs only, which is why a single-dog household is best). New people in his home or on his territory will also set him off. He does calm down, as he pretty much always responds to food. If someone new is coming into the house, I set up a gate with him on one side and have the new person toss him high-value treats. Once he calms down, I let him out from behind the gate with a muzzle and leash on, and tell the person to ignore him until he is comfortable. He can successfully meet and learn to love new people, so long as the introduction is slow, reassuring, and non-threatening (he is quicker to trust women than men). He does not like strangers reaching for his head, and only tolerates loved ones reaching for his head, though he has never redirected his anxiety onto someone he trusts. Meeting new people on neutral territory is easier. I tell every new person he meets to ignore him until he is ready to say hello. I go on walks with strangers (to him); we've gone on holidays with new friends, and he's met new people in their homes. Again, a slow and non-threatening introduction is key. To manage his doggy anxiety, he is on daily Prozac (40mg) and as needed GABA and Clonidine, in addition to the standard flea/tick and heartworm medications. We worked with a behavior vet, and I think he would benefit from continued work with a vet/trainer. In many ways, the behavior vet and trainer were more useful for training me on how to take care of his special needs. He does have some excessive itching and may have a food allergy that we try to manage with Apoquel. He does not have fleas, ticks, worms, lesions, rashes or anything that is immediately recognizable as the source of the itching. I provide all of this information simply so that any potential homes have the complete behavioral and financial picture. If you/your family have a soft spot for dogs with behavior challenges, or are willing to learn how to manage situational triggers, Ollie will absolutely thrive with you. Though his fear-based reactivity and bite risk do require thoughtfulness, gentle reassurance, and situational awareness, he is such a good dog. Once he learns to trust a new person, he rewards the kindness and guidance you show him with a deep love, loyalty, and incomparable companionship. He simply needs a more settled and predictable living situation than I will be able to offer anytime soon. I'm happy to provide more information to anyone interested in hearing more about my sweet Ollie."