Meet Gracie

Status with People

Good with all people.  Friendly and social with strangers.  Love getting lots of pets when on my daily walks. Good with children and lived with older children in my previous home.

Status with Dogs

Good with other dogs. I’ve always been an only dog in my previous home, but have three Golden foster siblings. We engage in gentle play, share toys and hang out together. I’m not one to “rough-house”, but do enjoy a game of tug-o-war with my furry foster sister. I enjoy being near other dogs, but do not desire to be constantly engaged. Neutral in temperament.

Status with Cats

Previous owner states I’m good with cats, but AGN cannot confirm as there are no cats in my foster home.

Favorite Toys

Love toys!  Like to play with my stuffy toys and chew bones. I can be a stuffy “murderer”. AGN recommends Go Dog, Kong, Huggle Hound and Tuffy for stronger stuffy options.  I like to chase the ball, but haven’t perfected the “retrieving” part yet.

Energy Level

Moderate energy overall  with bursts of puppy energy.

House Trained

Yes.  I signal by going to the door that I need to go potty. I go out on a regular basis to play with the other dogs. **AGN recommends training to “poochie bells” so I can give clear communication that you can hear when I need to potty.

Crate Trained

NO!  I do not need a crate and seem to have some past trauma with one. I have free roam in the house and do great.

House Manners

Perfect lady! Excellent manners in the house and not destructive in any way, except for poor, innocent stuffies. I’m a couch cuddle bug so get ready for me to snuggle up with you. I sleep on my orthopedic dog bed in the master bedroom with my foster family.

Leash Manners

Pretty good on leash with my Walk Your Dog With Love Harness and LOVE my daily walks. Sometimes, I’ll stop, sit down and refuse to budge (take some yummy treats to motivate me).  I’m unsure so safety means sitting.  I love to explore and sniff with a loose leash.  This provides great mental stimulation for me.

Exercise

LOVE my daily walks. I take a 2-3 mile walk each morning with my foster family, human and furry, before the heat sets in. I need someone fully committed to my walking.  I’d also likely enjoy gentle hiking.  

Car Rides

Cars are scary! Right now, my foster mom or dad serve as my “human elevator” and pick me up to place me in the car.  Once in, I shake like it’s a storm. I’ve obviously had a bad experience in a car and minimal exposure. Put some very high value treats in the backseat for me to find every time.  Take me fun places such as a park to walk, trails to hike or to get a “pup cup”.  I can’t tell you what I’ve experienced, but there’s clear evidence of past fearful experiences. This is going to take time, practice and a commitment to helping me associate the car with positive things. 

Basic Commands

“Sit” and I’m working on “Come”.  The secret to recall is extreme happiness, praise and treats when I come to you. ** I know my name very well and AGN asks that you do NOT change it as it will be confusing to me and disrupt my transition to a new home.

Storm Phobia

Storms and fireworks are scary! At the first rumble of thunder I become nervous and start pacing. If the storm or fireworks continue, I start shaking and trembling.  My thunder shirt does seem to help as does cuddling and comforting me.  I self-regulate quickly when the storm moves on or fireworks stop.

Things I need in my Forever Home

• Moderately active family that likes to engage in daily exercise such as strolls through the neighborhood and park, leisurely hikes through the trails, etc. I need someone committed to my daily walking.
• Someone who is home more often than not. Someone who doesn’t work, works from home or works part time. I thrive with human companionship and need it for my well-being.
• I’d be good as an only dog as long as your my true best friend spending most of your time with me. My “dad” was my best buddy and I’m grieving his loss. I need a lot of human companionship.
• If another dog in the home, the dog should be gentle, neutral in temperament, and willing to share toys. Either gender is fine. I will not play extensively with other dogs, but I co-exist nicely, occasionally playing. It should not be a young dog that pounces on me.  I’d do best with a nice, gentle furry friend.
• Older children are fine as I grew up with older children in my previous home.