Kelsey

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Animal Name: Kelsey
IAR ID#: D-09-066
DOB: 2008-09-19 (3 year old)
Gender: Female
Animal Weight: 40 lbs.
Dog Breed(s): Akita Mix
Physical Description:
Animal Personality:
Good with Dogs: Yes
Good with Cats: Unknown
Good with Young Kids: Unknown
Good with Older Kids: Yes
Spay/Neuter: Yes
Vaccinations: Current
Animal History: Kelsey arrived as a stray at Durham Animal Protection Services when she was four months old. Over the four months she spent growing up there, she became a favorite of the shelter staff, though no one else paid much attention to this quiet, dark dog in the crowded shelter. Kelsey came to IAR because the APS shelter staff got to know this gentle, adaptable girl in her many months at the shelter, knew she would make someone a truly fantastic pet, and recommended her for the foster program.
Special Needs: Kelsey is a gentle, quiet, observant puppy, though definitely still given to bursts of enthusiasm for belly rubs, walks, or her ball. Kelsey loves people: either meeting new ones or just cuddling with her foster mom in the evening. She melts when she sees one of her people and wags her whole body up to them in hopes of getting patted. She loves a good chew and will plant herself for hours with a rawhide or rope toy. Of course, if you'd like to tug on the other end of that rope toy, she'd be even happier (and she has a solid "drop it" for these occasions). She's just learning to fetch, but is an enthusiastic learner and ball chaser. When around other dogs, Kelsey's puppyness shines through. She loves to run and be chased, but is also happy quietly wrestling with the others. She mostly gets along with her foster sister, another 9 month old puppy, but can sometimes be overwhelmed by this larger puppy. She won't always give herself a time out when she gets frustrated, but calms down quickly when put in a down/stay. She does well with calmer dogs, particularly males or older females, and has had no trouble with short, supervised visits to the dog park. She'd do best in a forever home that would continue exposing her to well-socialized dogs so she can keep working on her social skills. Kelsey is calm and confident: fundamentally a take-anywhere dog. She would be a great match for someone looking for a constant companion. Despite her impoverished past, Kelsey approaches the world with poise. When she does spook, she recovers quickly and then investigates the scary thing until she's confident it's safe. Mostly, she plunks herself under your chair and peacefully watches the world walk by. She is still working on leash skills, but she does ok with an easy-walk harness and is slowly getting to the point where she doesn't need this reminder. Kelsey's perfect forever home would match her quiet demeanor. Kelsey would do well in a family with calm older children, or with a settled couple or single person. Though she is an easy dog to live with (responsive, easy to redirect, eager for positive attention and treats), Kelsey would appreciate a home willing to work with her on her manners. She'd love to do a sport like agility, but is also satisfied by a daily walk and a game of tug. Awesome things about Kelsey: she's sweet, gentle, calm, and adaptable. She's responsive to both correction and praise. She is really focused on both food and toys, and she loves people. Things Kelsey needs help with: manners with humans and dogs, support while she gets used to the world outside the shelter, leash skills, and bringing the ball back.
Special: IAR views behavioral training as a critical aspect of helping our dogs adjust to their new homes. When you adopt a dog from IAR, you will receive a certificate for group lessons with a professional dog trainer. You may choose to train with Jane Marshall of Cheery Dogs LLC in Chapel Hill, or Sue McKinney of Dog Fun Forever in Durham.

Did You Know: Calico cats are always female.

Independent Animal Rescue | Post Office Box 14232 | Durham NC 27709-4232
919-403-2221 | info@animalrescue.net

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