About Nova

Nova is a petite, five-year-old Australian Cattle Dog / Collie / Belgian Malinois mix who loves hiking, cuddling, and learning new skills. Sensitive by nature, Nova has some manageable anxiety, and she will do best in a calm and quiet home with minimal distractions and no young children. Although she has lived with other animals in the past, she would do best being the only pet in the household. It takes her a while to warm up to new friends, but once she is comfortable, she is loyal and affectionate with people (and some dogs) and will continue to invite new members into her tribe. Nova is a natural athlete who needs consistent physical exercise and mental stimulation, and she will thrive with an owner who has an active lifestyle and a home environment that allows for outdoor space. As active as she is, she will also have no problem cuddling up for a lazy weekend. At home, Nova is not an excessive barker, but she will let you know when someone is there. She does get anxious with loud noises (like fireworks) and severe weather such as thunder, heavy wind, and extreme rain. She is not a fan of long car rides but is fine in the car for shorter trips -- especially if she gets to go hiking! Nova will benefit greatly from ongoing training. She is a very smart dog who is eager to please her handler and responds well to clear communication. She does very well with basic commands and is also up for learning fun additional tricks. Her major strengths are leash etiquette and strong reliable recall. She does well with structure and is very respectful of firm boundaries coupled with consistent, positive reinforcement. Nova is a very good girl with incredible obedience, but she does need someone that understands her triggers. She is looking for an owner who is in tune with her sensitivities and who is willing to invest the time, resources, and firm but loving guidance she needs to continue building her confidence. If given the proper time to be understood, Nova will be a sweet, silly and loyal companion who is easy to love.

Eagle County
Gypsum, Colorado