Meet Sulley!
A sweet five-year-old Australian Shepherd/Labrador Retriever mix currently in Fairview, NC, whose affectionate spirit and golden coat with white accents are matched by a brilliant herding-dog mind and an irresistible love of snuggling.
At 55 pounds, Sulley considers himself perfectly lap-sized and is happiest curled up beside his favorite person on the couch! This intelligent boy enjoys sniffing adventures, especially after the rain, working on chew toys like Kongs, running in a securely fenced yard, and soaking up affection. His seemingly constant smile makes his cuddly personality even more endearing!
Sulley has completed professional training and a behaviorist evaluation. He knows sit, stay, place, drop, and leave it, and he generally handles short periods alone well. Predictable routines, mental enrichment, exercise, quiet time, and continued positive reinforcement help this clever companion feel secure.
Sulley experiences significant anxiety and dog reactivity. Other dogs, loud or unexplained noises, bicycles, large trucks, and wildlife can trigger barking, growling, lunging, darting, or nipping. He has bitten another dog and, approximately 4.5 years ago, redirected a bite toward his guardian during an intervention involving another dog and a toy. No medical care was needed. Sulley is possessive of toys so thoughtful management is essential.
Sulley needs an adult-only home with no dogs, cats, or other pets. His future pet parent should have experience with anxious, reactive dogs, be comfortable handling a strong dog, spend considerable time at home, and provide a securely fenced setting away from busy roads and frequent dog or bicycle traffic. He must not be crated and can experience motion sickness on longer drives.
Healthy overall, neutered, house-trained, microchipped, and current on vaccinations, Sulley requires medication to manage anxiety: Clomipramine every 12 hours, daily Gabapentin, and Trazodone for high-anxiety events. Continuing his veterinary and behavioral care is important.
For the right person, Sulley offers intelligence, loyalty, laughter, couch cuddles, rainy-day sniffing, and the special connection of being someone’s one-and-only companion. Could this smiling, snuggly boy be the companion you have been hoping to welcome home? Contact adopt@joyfulpets.com to learn more about Sulley!
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