About Norman

I am heartbroken, but I have to find Norman a different situation. He is a 10 month old, 40 pound Australian Cattle Dog / Boxer mix (Mostly ACD). Typical of ACDs, he has a strong prey drive. Due to his high herding drive, cats are not recommended. He is in a home with another dog, a 10-year-old terrier mix, who he constantly tries to play with. Norman has attended daycare regularly as well as a month-long 'board and train' program, in addition to the standard puppy classes. He has a dominant, tenacious personality and fetch is life. I repeat, fetch. is. life. He is food-motivated. Norman will flourish in a home familiar with high-drive herding breeds. He needs more intense structure, exercise, and stimulation than I am able to provide. I have struggled with this for months and I feel like a failure, but I want him to have the opportunity to be a successful, well-adjusted dog. And that's just not with me and my 10 year old terrier. He knows come, sit, down, drop, 'go kennel,' and place. As implied, he is kennel trained, but he will eventually protest if you leave him in the kennel. He is house-trained. The ideal home would have another young dog (or two or three) for him to play with. He needs to be taught how to relax appropriately. He fixates on shadows and light reflections, which we've been working on with a trainer for months. But it is in issue with him controlling his emotions. He is also fear reactive with strange dogs and strange people. But this is absolutely fixable with appropriate introductions. As noted above, he attends daycare. If you have a middle-aged dog who is trained, but still playful, that would be ideal. I don't think male / female matters, but he does regularly submit to my ex's unneutered 80-lb male. Norman has been introduced to springpole and it has been recommended by the trainer that he explore weight pull for exercise. In short, Norman needs someone that has significant time to invest in establishing a structured and balanced life. If you are active (runner, hiker, etc.) this could be your dude. This is not a first-time dog. This is not a dog for a home with children. He is protective, loving, silly, energetic, sweet, stubborn, and snuggly. He will adopt out with his kennel and bed, all his toys, balls, bowls, leashes, feeding puzzles, slip lead, e-collar, etc. All of his vaccination records - as well as his genetic breed testing results - will be provided. I just want my boy to have a satisfying life.

Montgomery County
Rockville, Maryland