About Anabelle

Hi! **Are you my new family?!?** I am Anabelle. I am a shepherd mix, full of energy and ready to work (but I need to be taught what I should do). My memory of my early puppyhood is a bit fuzzy, but the first family I remember I found when I was about 13 weeks old. I liked the feel of their home, and started sniffing around the front for a couple days. I decided this was the place for me. I let myself into the back yard and they were hooked. They started by putting out water for me, then a few pieces of cat kibble. (I heard cat is richer than normal dog food, more like puppy food than normal dog food.) By that night, I decided I would not leave, or even hide any more. Their back window became my new resting place. That night, they gave me my first meal, a mix of cat and dog kibble. Before the end of the week, they were letting me sleep in a crate inside (and I kept it clean the whole night through!), introducing me to their kiddos, and taking me for my first vet checkup! Here is what I have learned so far: - 'Yes': marker word. Tells me when I have done what my people want. I could probably could use a few more dedicated sessions to reinforce this as the 'good job' notification, and eventually work on delayed rewards. And then regular reminder sessions: there is no such thing as too many reasons for treats! - 'Sit': I have the idea down, but could really use a bit more focused practice to make this immediate and automatic. I am starting to get the hang of staying seated until my person says it is okay to take my reward. Still could use some work on my patience, though, and not leaving my seat once I do get a treat. - 'Down': I have a beginner association of the word with the action, and will hold for a little while, especially if I know a reward is coming. I have even started offering this when asked to sit, but a reward does not come as quickly as I hope. - 'Crate': I know to go to it when told around bedtime, but pause before going in. I'm not sleepy (yawn...), I want to keep playing with my people! Still, it is nice to have a secure place to sleep, and I usually get a nice treat when I do go in. I think I am going to really like my crate as I continue getting encouraged. - Doors: I am supposed to sit before I go through doors (before they will even open), or when my people want to go through them (even if I am not following). I am starting to understand this, but I really need to practice this (at all kinds of doors) to build the habits that will help my new family expect good door etiquette quickly from me. - Play: I like to run. My yard is so fun! I really like to sniff around; I bet my new family could really keep me stimulated and motivated with scent games. I love a good game of tug; it is most fun with this one ballistic nylon turtle toy. I will chase balls, but have not quite gotten the idea of picking them up and bringing them back yet. - 'Come': I really like playing chase! This has helped me with some early lessons on the 'come' command, and I think I am getting the hang of it. I also really like being with my people! With some focused reinforcement, I think I will be really good at this one. My first family wanted to teach me that I should come when I hear my name. So I have a mild association of 'Anabelle' with returning to my people. (They called me by my nickname 'Girl' when they just wanted my attention. I like being called 'Girl;' so much affection came with it!) - Kids: Friendly, but still need to better learn the difference between human kids and 'puppy I can play full speed with' - Animals: I lived with a cat. I am still not sure if I think she was a toy, or a friend to play with. She mostly ran away from me really fast (and I love a good game of chase!), but once or twice my people asked me to walk by her while she was out in the open. She was very nervous; she hissed at me a lot and swatted to make sure I understood she was not to be messed with. Anyways, I really do not know if we could have become friends; everything was all so new and exciting, I did not get time to explore that. Here is what the vet said about me: - I am healthy - I was about 14 weeks old (on 10/4/24) based on my teeth - Expected weight (full grown): 45-55 lbs - She gave me my first 3 vaccines - She said I should get boosters for these in a couple weeks, plus my rabies vaccine, and maybe a third follow up round. Then I would be set till I was at least a year old - She gave my people a yummy medicine treat that would protect me from fleas and ticks and heartworm I am really excited to be part of your family! Love, Anabelle (With the help of my first people)

Contact

San Bernardino County
San Bernardino, California

Bethany Macduff: 909-515-3613

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