Meet Miley

Status with People

Sweet, but shy at first. I’m cautious at first with all people and children. Once I know I’m safe, I warm up nicely and do fine. I’ll even rest my sweet head in your lap. Just give me some time. Men, women, and children are all the same to me, but I just need a moment to observe and trust. Calm, predictable interactions help me feel secure.

Status with Dogs

Good with other dogs that I trust and feel safe with. It just takes me a little time to get there. At first I may resource guard things (only with dogs) that I value, my safe places or my personal space. This is normal and based on fear from my past, but this dissipates in time. Someone must understand this and know that it’s normal behavior in the canine world. Give me some time to figure things out. It won’t be long before I’m a “velcro shadow” to my dog companion. I start to play once I trust they won’t hurt me. I rely heavily on canine companionship to feel confident in the world. I’m mostly neutral in temperament, but can show some initial fear behavior that comes across as dominance…IT’S NOT! It’s all for show because I’m insecure…a defense mechanism. The bottom line is that I NEED another stable and neutral temperament dog to be a mentor for me. I’ll learn from their confidence and behavior. I was attacked by female dogs in the past. I now have a Golden foster brother who I adore. He’s my best buddy, my safety net and teacher. I thrive with him showing me the ropes. **AGN will be looking for a dog similar in temperament to him since we’re so compatible.

Status with Cats

More scared than interested. I haven’t shown any prey drive with critters.

Favorite Toys

Chew bones, balls, and stuffies. Still learning the fun of toys, but tug-o-war is turning out to be a great game with my Golden foster brother.

Energy Level

Moderate to lower right now. I’ll likely become more energetic when I’m more confident, but I’m not the typical high-energy older puppy. I’ve never had the opportunity to really enjoy life and be active, so getting me out for daily walks will help me build confidence.

House Trained

Yes, but I don’t give any signals when I need to go out, so a consistent schedule is important. **AGN typically recommends you train to Poochie Bells for a clear signal, but that’s likely a bit too scary for me right now.

Crate Trained

Crates are scary to me. While I might eventually settle, I tend to panic dig and try to escape. I do best with free roam in the home and a dog companion nearby.

House Manners

Good house manners overall. I’m not destructive unless I’m anxious. I once chewed a blanket when left crated. I prefer to relax near my people or dog companion. Wherever my best buddy is, I’ll be there, too. I love to lounge on the couch as it’s one of my “safe spaces”. I sleep in the bed with my humans at night. If you don’t want a dog on your furniture or cuddled up with you, I’m definitely not your girl. I need this closeness of my humans in these spaces right now. To be close is relationship building. It makes me feel secure.

Leash Manners

Learning and doing great! I use a Walk Your Dog With Love harness and improving daily. A harness is needed for me. Other options would be a Freedom No-Pull harness, Ruff Wear Front Range harness, etc. Loud noises, passing cars, or a tangled leash can scare me, and I may zig-zag when nervous. With calm, force free guidance and patience, I’m making major progress. Let me sniff as this is mentally stimulating.

Exercise

Enjoy one walk a day (about a mile or two), plus playtime with my foster brother. I don’t need intense exercise right now, but I need consistent, daily walks, hikes, etc. to help me continue to build confidence and learn the world around me. My daily exercise is a key factor in me progressing, so let’s get out and enjoy life together.

Car Rides

Getting into the car is scary for me unless my dog friend goes first. Once I’m in, I settle nicely and usually lie down. I need to associate the car with positive things. Let me find some treats randomly in the backseat and take me to fun places…a pup cup sounds good, too!

Miscellaneous

Fearful and startled easily by sudden noises, certain thresholds and stairs (unless I follow another dog)

Things I need in my Forever Home

• Calm household with low stimulation and peaceful predictability. I must feel safe and secure in my home. It must be a low pressure environment with routine.
• Someone who is dog experienced, understands what I’ve been through and is committed to helping me continue to overcome my sad past. I’ve made amazing progress with time, patience, a routine, and force free/positive reinforcement guidance to create a feeling of safety and security for me.
• Someone who wants and that I’m a really good pup, but learning!
• Moderately active family who likes to exercise daily by taking lots of walks, gentle hikes, and strolls in quiet areas.
• Someone who’s home more often than not. Someone who doesn’t work, works from home or works part time. Someone must be focused on ME and committed to helping me heal from my past. I thrive with my humans home, and I’m desperate for that attention right now. I need someone with the time to commit to my needs. I’ve spent most of my life afraid, so now it’s time for me to learn how wonderful life can be!
• Force Free/Positive reinforcement training classes are highly recommended after I do some major confidence building. This will help us bond and build our relationship. Agility would be a great way for me to build confidence at some point. ***AGN recommends DogsandKat.com
• REQUIRED is another nice, active, medium/large dog to run and play with who’ll share toys with me. I learn from other dogs, so a “helper” dog is keyl as long as we’re compatible. I’ll be their “velcro shadow” so a dog must embrace that. AGN will do multiple meetings to ensure that.
• NO DOGS THAT WILL BULLY ME OR TAKE ADVANTAGE OF MY FEAR!
• Older children that are naturally quiet and calm would be considered. They should know how to respect the boundaries of a dog. They need to be kind and gentle. I cannot handle rambunctious children.
• A stable home because I’ve been bounced around too much! I need home to be forever!