Australian Shepherd * Spayed/Neutered * Male * 4 Years Old

Profile:

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HOW DID MAPLE GET HERE?
Maple came into our care when his previous family could no longer care for him. Since arriving, this smart boy has made some wonderful progress with our training team and is showing us just how much potential he has. Maple is a busy, intelligent dog who thrives when he has clear communication, structure, and opportunities to use his brain.

PERSONALITY:
- A very smart and capable Australian Shepherd who picks up on routines and cues quickly
- Food motivated and happy to work for treats, including regular kibble!
- Sweet and soft with people he knows well and can build relationships with new people relatively quickly
- Enjoys calm, sniffy walks where he can explore at his own pace
- Can walk beautifully on a loose leash when his physical needs are met, although he may pull hard when starting a walk
- Knows his sit and down cues and is continuing to build his obedience skills
- Has good recall when engaged with his handler and is learning to turn back to his person for support
- Curious and attentive to his environment, though he can become fixated on things around him
- Can become frustrated when he cannot access something he wants or when he feels his needs aren't being communicated
- May use typical herding behaviours when frustrated, including jumping up or becoming vocal
- Has shown some fixation toward dogs while walking, but has been fairly easy to redirect
- Has made significant progress with his kennel barrier frustration and is learning that calm behaviour gets him what he needs
- May experience isolation distress and will need adopters prepared to thoughtfully work through separation-related behaviours
- Has a history of resource guarding involving spaces and high-value items, so his family will need to understand and proactively manage this behaviour
- Good in the car, although he may be a little worried when travelling
- Has foundational housetraining

WHAT TYPE OF HOME IS MAPLE LOOKING FOR?
- An experienced home familiar with herding breeds
- Adopters with specific experience managing resource guarding, barrier frustration, and isolation/separation distress
- A detached home with a securely fenced yard, no shared walls, and no shared entryways
- An adult-only home; older children may be considered if they have similar experience and the family is comfortable managing Maple's needs
- A family willing to provide plenty of physical exercise, mental enrichment, training, and opportunities to sniff and explore
- A home prepared to continue Maple's training and help him learn appropriate ways to communicate when frustrated
- If living with another dog, a calm, tolerant dog with similar play style would be preferred. Maple will require careful introductions and should not initially be left loose with another dog due to the potential for resource guarding
- If living with a cat, careful, gradual introductions and appropriate management will be required

Maple is a smart, busy, wonderfully rewarding Australian Shepherd who has already shown us how much he can accomplish when people take the time to understand him. He thrives when expectations are clear, communication goes both ways, and he has appropriate outlets for his mind and body. His future family will need to be experienced and committed to setting him up for success from day one, particularly when it comes to resource guarding, frustration, separation-related behaviours, and potential reactivity.

In return, Maple has so much to offer. He learns quickly, forms relationships with his people, loves working for his rewards, and is happiest when he can explore, sniff, learn, and be part of a predictable routine. With the right structure, patience, and ongoing training, Maple has the potential to become an incredibly loyal and rewarding companion.

If you're an experienced herding-dog guardian looking for a smart boy who will keep you on your toes, Maple may be your perfect match. Apply to adopt Maple today!