Dennis

Microchip No. 953 010 007 735 202

BIN0004813554713

Dennis is still a puppy at 17 months and will need people who are happy to continue his training and know how to hold boundaries.  Dennis can be stubborn and a little willful, and it would be sad to see him become a nuisance because appropriate boundaries were not maintained with firmness and kindness.

Dennis will require continued training generally but especially on walking on lead and recall.  Dennis is very strong, so would not be suitable for young children or people without sufficient strength walking him on lead at this time, until he is properly trained.  This is a work in progress.  He can walk nicely-ish for a bit but is easily distracted and would pull over someone without strength if he spotted something he was interested in.  Surprisingly, for a lab, Dennis is motivated by food. To a point.  He will perform for food, but it is not enough to hold his attention against distractions.

Dennis needs a home where he is truly part of the household with the freedom to come inside with his people.  He will need a situation where he not left alone outside for extended periods of time.  Dennis becomes anxious and destructive when left alone outside – including if he is shut outside while his people are inside, for anything more than a  very short period of time.  These are the only occasions where he has shown us his truly destructive side and a desire to attempt jail break.  He has been left alone inside (with the other two dogs but also with access to toileting outside) for a couple of hours while we went out to dinner with no drama at all.  He also spends plenty of time outside on his own, by his own choice with access to inside as he likes, again with no destructive behaviour. It is only when he has been “shut out” that things start to unravel.

Dennis LOVES, LOVES, LOVES dog play and would be stoked to have a family with another dog that also loves to play – or who is willing to regularly take him to the dog park to play with others. He would not suit a highly submissive dog as a companion. Dennis does accept correction and limits from other dogs without complaint or retaliation. In the dog park, he adapts his play behaviour to suit the dogs at the park – super boisterous with those that like to rough and tumble, will back off around dogs that dominate or tell him to back off, and is pretty sensible around smaller dogs. However, in the home he will need a dog that is prepared to set limits otherwise he’ll not give them a moment of peace and will keep demanding to play.

He is currently living with a foster family who have a much older male labrador who does not play (his rear legs are too weak) and an active middle-aged female labrador who is willing to play under sufferance. He understands that Bertie is not interested in playing at all and will instead approach and groom him. He knows Sasha will play with provocation but that when she has had enough, play time is over.  His biggest ploy to get Sasha to play is to beat her to the ball and tease her with it.  He also has a next-door neighbour labbie friend who does not set limits and so Dennis will spend two hours just playing hard and a human has to step in to give the poor girl a rest.  So, while Dennis would cope with being in a household with a dog that doesn’t play or as the only dog, playing is actually his greatest joy in life.

Being a puppy still, Dennis is very curious about the world and if there is a mucky puddle or gap in the fence, he will find it and exploit it. If appropriate toys are not left around for his interest, you may find yourself missing socks left lying about. He is still learning and likes to explore things with his mouth, which has lead to some hairy situations.  He has been known to help himself to the vegie patch (and paid the price of unripe tomatoes) and, being overwhelmed by the smell of blood and bone and chook poo, also helped himself to some newly planted seedlings and potting mix. Fortunately, no emergency vet visit required.

Although past teething age, Dennis is a bit mouthy generally.  He corn-cobs when he is being affectionate and, when playing with humans, he does mouth gently. A good bone left to chew on is a great distraction for Dennis when he wants to use his chompers – cheaper dog toys only last seconds and it is best not to find out if he has a thing for a child’s favourite soft toy. Tennis balls are popped and shredded in minutes and teddy entrails spread with abandon.

Dennis generally shows no fear of people, however I believe he has experienced someone hitting him with a stick and a bad interaction with an electrical device of some sort. He literally wet himself at the sound of a drill that accidentally went off in a tradies’ toolbox, and cowered when I picked up a large stick for him to chew on.

Dennis grew up in a household with young children and from what I have seen of Dennis around young children (though limited, at the dog park so a pretty high excitement environment), he is well behaved around children.  My youngest is 13 and Dennis loves him.  He does sometimes forget his surroundings when he is over-excited and can bump into people and furniture.

Dennis can be stubborn and willful and too smart for his own good at times. Cheeky and playful.  But also the sweetest, cuddliest smooch you could wish for.  He absolutely loves to meet new people and is always up for an adventure.  But he is also is very happy cuddled up with his people on the couch at the end of a long day.  Overall, I think Dennis has a lovely temperament and with the right family, I can see Dennis growing into an absolutely unforgettable dog.

Dennis is located in Brisbane and is available for adoption. He’s been desexed, vaccinated, microchipped and heartworm tested. He’s up to date with all worming and flea & tick treatments. This gorgeous boy is available to the right family for a rehoming fee of $1500.

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