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BackMakenzie
Adopted
Description
Makenzie
ID#: A128783-A
Born in care: May 17, 2023
Sex: Male (His neuter surgery will be covered by BARCs at one of BARCs’ veterinary partners)
Estimated Breed: Husky Mix
Estimated Weight: Unknown
Good with dogs: Yes, he is good with the resident dog
Good with cats: Unknown
Good with children: Yes, Mak loves children and has done great with my nieces (ages 14, 10, and 8) so older children (8+) or children who are a bit dog savvy as he can forget his manners when he is excited and rocket launch jump into your arms (we have taken a few accidental headbutts)
Special/Medical Needs:
Estimated Energy Level: Medium- High
Current Location: Red Deer, AB
Adoption fee: $725
Makenzie, aka Mak, is a special and sweet puppy. He is incredibly loving, loyal, and has the best happy wiggle butt and excited tail wag.
The ideal home for Mak would be one where he would not be left home alone too often for lengthy periods and/or with a doggy companion larger than him as he has grown up in a home where someone is typically home and, by nature, he always wants to be around someone. Someone who also has experience with high-energy, intelligent dog breeds would be a great bonus.
Mak is the firstborn of Cricket’s litter. He is highly intelligent. If he finds a problem, he will solve it. He has figured out how to climb out of both the X-pen and over the indoor gate. He has grown up watching his Auntie Grace (resident dog) open our back door and can now open it himself to let himself in and has opened our front door to let us in after a walk without being prompted.
Mak is very energetic and spirited. He loves to play with toys, go for a good long walk or two, hunt for mice, and chase magpies, but especially loves to run, wrestle, and roughhouse with his mom, Cricket, and Auntie Grace. He is great at jumping and is strong when playing tug. He does still get the zoomies and he loves to run to one couch, jump off, run to the next, and jump off that one or run the stairs.
Because of his energy level, intelligence, and look, we suspect Mak is part Australian Cattle Dog (his mom is pure husky) and would do great in a home that is physically active and can provide him with mental enrichments to challenge his intelligence. If he is not sufficiently exercised or mentally stimulated, he can become bored and is prone to mischief and, at times, getting into things he should not. Mak would benefit from formal training, and I think he would excel at agility or another sport. Mak also displays some herding behaviors such as staying close and following us into other rooms (he is very much a shadow dog) and mouthing at dogs' legs when he wants them to play with him.
Mak can be leash-reactive when meeting new dogs. He typically loves other dogs and plays very well with other dogs but can become overstimulated at times and may need a play break. He gets along very well with his mom and Auntie Grace and usually other dogs, especially if they are bigger than him, but if a dog is similar in size to him or smaller and that dog tries to correct his puppy behavior, he is not afraid to stand up for himself and can become a little scrappy.
Mak loves children and has done great with my nieces (ages 14, 10, and 8), but may be better with older children (8+) or children who are a bit dog savvy as he can forget his manners when he is excited and rocket launch jump into your arms (we have taken a few accidental headbutts). We are working on this, and he is getting better, but sometimes he can just be so happy and excited to see you that he cannot help himself. He is also a lot longer than he looks and can jump pretty high so smaller children could be knocked over.
Mak is used to and extremely comfortable resting and sleeping in a metal crate (I have not tried a plastic crate) and sleeps for about six hours each night without needing out, but he would rather sleep with you on your comfortable bed or couch. He has been treated like one of our own so he has been allowed on furniture and beds and will usually lay with me when I go to bed and then goes to his crate when my husband comes to bed. He is a shadow dog and will want to be with you at all times and follow you everywhere you go. Because of this, he does not like being in his crate during the day and will husky sing and bark but does settle eventually.
Mak knows “sit” and “stay” and will wait as patiently as he can until you say “okay” for his food. He is learning “leave it,” “lay down,” "watch me," “shake a paw,” and to sit and stay at thresholds/doorways. He walks pretty well on a leash, though sometimes he will get into a “mushing” stance and try to pull and can sometimes get excited or distracted by other dogs walking/barking, though I have been able to regain his attention with treats.
Mak absolutely loves food and treats and is very food-motivated, so much so that he will sometimes try to get it himself. This is being worked on but he has been successful a time or two so he will need continual training not to counter surf and not to jump up and steal food. As he is still a puppy, he can be a bit mouthy when excited or a little grabby when taking treats, but he is getting better at being gentle and taking his treats gently.
Mak will be a great adventure partner and a loving addition to your home.