Community Pets in Need

Age: --

Tucker came to me after his prior owner’s parent said she was no longer allowed to keep him and insisted he either be re-homed, or immediately euthanized—so I took him in for the time being, hoping that I could rehab him and help her find him a new home. I believe he is an excellent dog who does not deserve in any way to be euthanized, but I am medically disabled and not capable of keeping him long-term or completing the level of training I believe he needs. Tucker is technically crate trained, but he has significant separation anxiety that resulted in him tearing up a bed and tray in his crate when he was left unattended for the first time in my care. I’ve been working with him on that training for the last week and he has made strides, but he will still whine and howl for approximately 15-20 minutes before self-soothing and settling down. He did not display this behavior with his previous owners, but it appears to me that he will bond quite closely to a person (that person is currently me) and then become distressed if he cannot reach me physically. He will whine if tethered within (or outside of) eyesight of me and so far only settles himself when calmed by someone else or given something to distract him, like a puzzle or other destructible but time-consuming treat. I was told that Tucker has bitten (and killed) an escaped chicken from a coop in his previous home, which is the incident that resulted in his prior owners’ dad demanding he be re-homed. His prey drive appears to be limited to birds, as he previously lived with two children under age ten, two other, older dogs (NOT his litter mates) and two cats, none of which he displayed any aggression towards, but I have proceeded with extreme caution regardless and am keeping him separated from my two cats (which I have owned since 2018 and 2013 respectively.) I have begun muzzle work with him and he is doing quite well, but I cannot yet confirm that he will accept and wear a muzzle for extended periods of time. Tucker is a 9-10 month old mixed-breed primary Husky/GSD dog who was originally found as a stray with two of his siblings who have since been rehomed. He is an extremely smart, attentive, and affectionate dog who is a delight in almost every way, but his separation anxiety is beyond my level of ability to retrain at this time given the level of attention and consistency required. As a result of him being found and initially raised with two of his siblings, and based on his current behavior, I am concerned he may be displaying elements of mild Littermate Syndrome. I believe he will do best as the only animal in the home, and it is my opinion that he will benefit most from a foster or adopter who is equipped to help him gain and retain confidence on his retraining journey.

Contact Name: Lindsey

Contact Phone: (912) 501-5649