Mallard

MALLARD is a 2yo male retriever mix URGENTLY looking for a new foster or foster to adopt home. Mallard was at risk of euthanasia when he was pulled from a high volume shelter due to not enough space. This poor boy is incredibly sensitive, and in need of a home that can keep it to absolutely basics during the decompression period, and provide structure, boundaries, and lots of positive reinforcement. Mallard is mostly perfect if he doesn't have too much pressure put on him. He is uncomfortable with forced manipulations and vet visits, and has snapped during vet exams and when cornered with the intent to grab/restrained. He has been fine with normal handling (putting on leash, receiving affection, brushing, playing with toys, training). Mallard is a smart boy who loves to please and has been easy to care for otherwise. He walks well on leash, he is easy going with all other animals (tested well with dog, cats, chickens, horses and cows). His obedience is pretty good, and very good when treats are involved! Mallard does very well with a hands off approach and lots of direction! With dogs, Mallard is curious but submissive and passive. He will always drop a toy if playing with other dogs, and will retreat if they come in with too much energy. Once he gets to know dogs (think very slow introductions), Mallard will try to initiate play with easy going dogs! He can't always handle the big rough play though, so he needs his humans to advocate for him to ensure the dogs he is playing with will keep it at his level. His current best-friend is an 85lb and boisterous bulldog who loves body checks, and needs to be told to tone it down with Mallard... but Mallard keeps going back for more fun! Mallard loves meeting new people, but he can be overstimulated and insecure, and will jump up and mouth at hands. If ignored, he calms down and accepts affection nicely. Mallard is very sensitive to grabbing or being physically restrained, so it's important to allow him to walk away if he feels intimated, and allow him to approach. He needs his people to advocate for his space when needed, and let other people know to give him space if needed. While Mallard loves people, people putting too much pressure on him makes him nervous. For this reason, Mallard needs a home without children. Mallard does have some anxiety and he needs a forever home that can work with him and advocate for him. He struggles settling in new environments and will pace, although he does well if asked to stay in "place" on his bed, and tethered on a leash to help him settle. Mallard is a low energy boy, so once he's settled down, Mallard loves a good snooze! Here are our first impressions for 1 week: - Good with dogs, curious/submissive, prefers calm dogs - Good with cats, ignores them -No kids* - Good with strangers -Ignores chickens, horses, cows. Happy to lay down in the barn -Excellent in car, lays down near front - Good in crate - Good on leash -Low energy, happy to play but doesn't want to go for longer walks -Loves training, really perks up and happy to learn new commands -Loves all new people, affectionate -Personality: submissive, nervous, shy, affectionate, curious, quiet, soft, sensitive *Uncomfortable with forced manipulations/vet visits/intent to manipulate. Mallard has given warning snaps at vets giving vaccines, and when he thinks he is about to be grabbed/restrained. He does well with cooperative care and seems to enjoy pets/ body rubs, and accepts brushing. He needs to be muzzled for vet visits, and advocated for in public so he is not grabbed by people and allowed the choice to approach others (which he will! Mallard loves meeting new people!). He needed to be sedated for vaccines at vet visits. *For this reason, Mallard is looking for home with no kids, and people who have an understanding of pressure and body language. Although Mallard wouldn't choose to be aggressive with kids, children just don't have the insight to understand pressure and read body language to know when he's not comfortable and could put him in a defensive state without realizing it. Needs work: -Jumping up -Confidence with manipulations Medical: Mallard has some allergies that we have listed from doing a food sensitivity test. He is currently on Apoquel while he works the offending food out of his system. Mallard is neutered and up to date on vaccines. He is microchipped and tested negative on his 4DX snap test. Adoption inquiries: Please email [email protected].