Lyddy: After much deliberation and careful thought, I have made the difficult decision to put Lyddy up for adoption. I am only doing so because of health issues and a pending 2nd hip replacement. I would like to see Lyddy go to a good home before anything happens to me and then I wouldn’t know where she would end up.
Lyddy’s story
Lyddy is now 16 month old Australian cattle dog (blue heeler) with strong breed instincts and high prey drive. Lyddy is desexed, microchipped and fully vaccinated.
What can I say about Lyddy? I have had Lyddy since she was 10 weeks old and she was a timid/shy puppy when I first got her. She is a quick learner. From the time I first got Lyddy when she was old enough, we walked into town for an early morning coffee (along with my JR) so she eventually got used to motorbikes, cars etc.
She will stop at the kerb on the command “stop” and will sit and wait before I give the command “forward” to cross the road. Lyddy will walk on a loose lead (most of the time) using the command “with me”. She loves the water – especially running along the beach and chasing sea gulls and racing into the water to cool off. She also fetches a ball and will bring it back and drop the ball on the command “give”. Her recall on the command “come”, is 99% and comes like a rocket and sits in front of you.
She is housetrained and will lay at your feet when watching TV. I use the command “leave it” if I don’t want her to touch/”react” to anything. I have been asking her to drop when a jogger comes too close and she has been doing that now. When I stop and talk to someone she lays down beside me.
Lyddy had a couple of big “frights” when she was approximately 4/5 months old i.e. with large dogs i.e. Golden Retrievers and German shorthaired pointers (not aggressive) running at her on the beach when she was on lead and since then she has become reactive to other dogs but in the past 3 months has improved. Lyddy is unsure about new things – i.e. things that weren’t there on her normal walk – e.g. a stationary motorbike, then the biker all decked out in leathers and then the revved engine when the bike was started. I stop, let her watch and sus things out until she is comfortable and she will then just walk on and not react.
She is not a people dog and does not trust many people at first. I have found I give the person some treats and just tell them to drop them on the ground beside their feet and let Lyddy go to them and not vice versa. They are then able to pat Lyddy starting from under the neck.
She does not bolt through doorways (although sometimes will try and take the lead) and will sit and wait until given the command “yes” to eat her meal. I use the ok signal to let her know she is doing the right thing.
Lyddy has grown up with a 3 year old Jack Russell so they can play a tad rough at times.
Lyddy’s daily routine consists of a 2klm walk into town where I have a coffee and she and my Jack Russell share the meat from a sausage roll. We then walk the 2klm home which may or may not include a run along the beach – depending on the number of dogs/people there. Once home and after feeding, I got to work (I am a typist and work from home). Lyddy will come into the office and go to sleep on her bed or lay across my feet. She will come and sit beside me when it comes to around 4pm knowing that is when we go for our evening walk. This one is more of a “wind down” one for me after sitting in front of a computer all day. Again, depending on the number of dogs/people down the beach, she is allowed to run and play ball and/or swim or on the long line if there are too many people/dogs. I must admit though on a cool, windy day, she does leave her brains at home and her ears are “painted on”.
I am not doing Lyddy any justice or bringing out the best in her. I would love to see her go to someone who can take her through agility (she has done the basics) – she will use a ramp to load in and out of a car. I feel Lyddy would be good in a one dog household –and definitely no children of any age. I think she is also a one person dog.
Lyddy is still learning and I will admit she still does react sometimes – especially to joggers and if they get too close – she is a work in progress.
Lyddy will go with her collar, lead, long line, harness, halti, muzzle (basically for when she plays rough), trampoline bed, indoor beds and her snuggle blanket and toys (especially the tiger which she takes to bed at night and her blue or red rubber chook) and ramp for loading into the car (it’s a solid one). I would like Lyddy to go to home where she will be treated kindly and someone who understands a nervous/reactive dog.
On a side note, we had heavy rain last night and early this morning (17 January) and I have been unable to go for a walk. Lyddy was quite chilled and happy to sleep at my feet while I work.
Please contact Chris, Lyddy’s owner for more information: 0408600407 or [email protected].
Lyddy’s adoption fee will be negotiated directly with Chris once a suitable match has been found.