About Lola

Lola is a very loving, playful, 15 month old, 29 lb.�%A0bundle of energy! She is a�%A0happy, busy girl, hungry for more experiences. She's a hugger! More than anything she wants her own people. She likes to levitate her front paws up onto people, so she can be closer to you, and flash her big smile at you or give a few kisses. When we first got her from the shelter, Lola was so excited to see and sniff new places. Our first stop for a bath was the pet store, which was a wonderful world of friendly people, treats, and toys that she didn't want to leave. Lola is super smart, with a fantastically happy nature, and is very attentive and responsive to people.�%A0We can see that she has a personality and loving nature that is much bigger than her pint sized body. At her core, Lola is a confident and curious dog, who is up for anything her people want to do. She is a sponge for more knowledge and experiences, with incredible potential for so many things. However, because she originally lived her life in a backyard, without any training or socialization in the world, with other dogs or people, her lack of experience causes her to be initially very fearful in new situations, until she realizes that all is well. She will need people who have experience, time and patience to slowly introduce her to new situations and to carefully manage her socialization, so that every new meeting is a positive experience. It will take time for her fear of new things to turn into an eagerness to face whatever is next. We are only just teaching Lola manners. She is like a kid who has never heard the word No, and gets into everything. With a cattle dog mind of her own, she needs�%A0someone who can and will consistently spend time with her and guide her into a more civilized behavior style. She has energy to spare, and is so full of life that she often doesn't know when to stop running, playing, and getting into things. When she becomes overly stimulated, and won't stop moving, placing her on a time-out saves her from herself, and within seconds she is quiet and resting. Her people must be cattle dog savvy, showing confident, benevolent, pack leadership; if not, she will continue to do what she wants. The good news is that she is still very young, incredibly smart, and figures things out very quickly. Lola will train easily, as she watches her people very closely and responds very well to praise and treats. Each day we see a bit more progress. Lola is potty trained to go outside, and even on command ('go potty'). She is learning how to walk on leash, although she often tries to start a game of tug with the leash. We are working on this. As a typical willful cattle dog, she will bark to let you know if she is very unhappy with a situation. We do not recommend Lola in a home with cats or small children. She will want to chase and round them up. This pup has quite a bit of herding instinct, and in her playfulness often resorts to trying to herd other dogs. She is respectful of other dogs and enjoys their company once she knows them. After several meetings with other dogs who invited her to play, Lola finally figured out what they were doing and learned how to play! After that first day out of the shelter, we have seen that Lola is initially afraid when encountering new dogs and new people. When on leash, her first impulse, is fearful defensive barking at new beings, until she can approach and sniff them. She is just afraid and her barking is her way of keeping scary new things away from her. If everyone is relaxed, calm and friendly, and she is able to sniff, she soon becomes everyone's best friend. Lola is quickly an adoring love when meeting women. When first seeing unknown men standing or walking, she will bark and growl. If men are still or better yet, sitting, and ignore her, she will very cautiously approach and sniff, often wagging her tail in a friendly way. If new people drop treats, she will warm up more quickly. Once she knows a person is good, she will want to climb into your lap to show her love and ask for affection. Lola was originally surrendered to the shelter for herding children, as herding was the only way she knew how to play and interact.�%A0She needs continued managed socialization with other dogs, and human guidance to�%A0teach her manners, social skills, and how to channel her herding instinct, and play without herding.�%A0 Lola would be fantastic in an all adult home, with experience and time to work with her and be her close companion(a). She adores human love and attention. She would make a great running or hiking buddy. Having some livestock to learn to herd, would be a dream for her. Lola would do well as an only dog, if her person is with her most of the time. She would also do well with another dog to learn from, and to play with. If you have questions about Lola, please call (707) 583-9583. To meet a possibly adopt, please submit an application: http://hittgv.org/index.php/adopt

Sonoma County
Santa Rosa, California 95405