Irving

Meet Irving (Iceland)

Irving is a neutered 3.5 year old nearly 90lb Sheepdog. He has a full tail. He is a loving and curious boy looking for his forever home despite having a rough start to life.

Irving has fear-based reactivity and aggression after being attacked by another dog. He needs a low-traffic home that has no other pets, no small children, and limited new people coming into his space. He would do best in an adult only home where someone is home most of the day. He would do best in a home with a large yard or field.

Irving loves long walks and being outside. He walks well, but he has small prey drive and is afraid of fast-moving and large vehicles, as well as leash reactivity to other dogs, which means he can try to lunge at or chase these things. His fosters have been working with him on this. You must give your walks full attention because he is a fast, strong boy. Additional training will help him overcome this habit. He also is wary of other people when on walks.

Irving is very aware of objects on the other side of the fence. He will try to chase cars from the fence line, and he will try to hunt small animals living in the bushes. He has fence reactivity from both sides of the fence, so a strong, sturdy fence is required.

Irving had food insecurity prior to being with his fosters, so he's very interested in and motivated by food. He is on a lamb and rice diet and takes fiber and probiotic supplements that work well for him. He will not eat unless his humans are present in the room. He has a chicken allergy. He loves helping you in the kitchen and will help himself to unattended food if you're not keeping an eye on him. He has been working on being gentle when taking treats. His party trick is he can catch food in the air!

He has resource guarding tendencies with other dogs, but not humans. He has moderate to high separation anxiety for which he takes Clomicalm twice a day. He has worked with a trainer on his separation anxiety and can be left alone for short periods of time, but he will be overly excited when you return and jumps on you, so channeling that anxiety into a toy or prepared licking pad or Kong works best. He has done well with in-home training and board and train programs, and more training should be expected.

Irving loves a cuddle, but prefers to sleep at night in a safe corner of your bedroom. He frequently likes a snuggle and snooze in bed in the morning, and he loves a couch nap with his humans. He does NOT like to be in a crate, so this will not be an option.

Irving likes to be brushed, but he has some sensitive areas he doesn't like touched. He has been to professional groomer several times who has experience with dogs like Irving. You will need a groomer who will be patient and has experience with dogs with fear-based reactivity. It is best that he is muzzled during sensitive grooming areas, and that the owner is present to help with his anxiety. Once he trusts the groomer, he will give them kisses.

He is terrified of the vet and will need to be muzzled and possibly given trazodone. Your vet will need to be made aware of this before you visit so that he will have the best experience and give everyone a safe environment. It's recommended to do some positive reinforcement vet experiences before his first exam. 

Once Irving trusts you, he will smother you with kisses and affection and want to be with you all the time. He loves car rides, playing tug, and napping on your lap. He just wants to love someone and be loved in return. It appears he didn't have a puppyhood, and he loves showing what a silly puppy he is. 

Irving is currently with his long time foster who understands him and all that he has been through. They will be a good resource to help you navigate how to best care for him. He will need a patient home that has experience with OES, dogs with separation anxiety, and dogs with fear-based reactivity. The right human or family will have the time, energy, and strength to give him the structure and patience he requires..