CARTER: • 6 yr old (3-19-2019) • Male • 72lbs • NOT Neutered (TART will pay to have this done) • 1 owner since 8 months old • No bite/aggressive history • Housebroken • Crates are not use • Not allowed on furniture (use to be) • Loving/Affectionate • Professional Training
Overall Personality: Carter was described as “goofy”, “playful” and the sweetest guy who LIVES to be the center of attention, lapping up all the attention and affection he can possibly soak in. With that said, Carter WILL give you your space if, for instance you are working at home and need to concentrate or take a call. He won’t annoy you, BUT he’s happiest when you have time for him.
Other: Carter is fully house trained and will sit by the back door to let you know he needs a break.
Carter is not crated. He can be left alone in the home without destruction. Carter is not allowed on the furniture. He sleeps on a nice bed in his owners bedroom.
Carter has a bit, but not much anxiety to loud noises and storms. He might walk around the room in a nervous fashion or seek reassurance from you.
Carter has had a bit of short-term exposure to cats and mostly just seemed curious and wanted to sniff them.
Carter is an only dog but plays well with other family dogs, which are two male doodles. Carter gets along with medium and large dogs at the dog park, both male and female. He is untested with very small dogs.
Carter has no bite or aggression history but recently he had extended family members wiping down his wet paws before coming in and he uncharacteristically made a groan, growly sound of disapproval. It should be noted Carter is sensitive when it comes to having his feet messed with by anyone but this was still uncharacteristic of him.
Carter has no food or toy aggression or resource guarding. They’ve caught the 2 year old playing in his food while he’s eating. No reaction at all.
Carter’s Favorite Things: Carter loves to run and explore outdoors, even better if there is a squirrel to chase. He loves chew bones and going for walks, though he isn’t getting many walks these day. Carter is happiest when he is in the center of things and getting tons of attention from his people.
Carter’s Least Favorite Things: As noted above, Carter is sensitive about getting his feet messed with and the only other thing he doesn’t like are air guns going off. Other than that, Carter is very easy-going and up for anything.
A typical day for Carter is getting up, getting let out for a break and basically hanging inside and out till bedtime. Walks and trips to the dog park that he use to love and look forward to, are a rarity or nonexistent for him now.
Carter’s current home is on 2 acres that is fully fenced. There is a creek that runs through it. Carter has mostly been very good in the yard alone but recently has begun digging in some areas under sheds where there is rodent activity. There are vulnerabilities in the fence at the creek line and Carter has gotten out of the yard before but came home. CO said he is NOT an escape artist at all, in this situation, the opportunity just presented itself and Carter took advantage of it.
Carter is not a big barker and would be happy and excited, but probably not bark, if another dog came up to the fence.
Carter has had 3 to 4 weeks of professional dog training off-site and will come with a pamphlet of commands he knows…though might have to be reminded of and worked with to reestablish.
Carter is generally good on a leash but you might have to remind him initially to commands such as “heel”, “loose leash”, “leave it”. You just have to set the tone at the beginning when he is most excited to be out. CO believes even a competent middle-schooler could handle him and noted that a 120lb female relative in her 70’s had no issues controlling him.
Before kids, Carter use to go to restaurant outdoor patios and breweries and was well-behaved. He is very friendly and enjoys meeting new people and getting pets, but he’ll stop if you tell him to “leave it” and he also knows auto sit.
Carter DOES become very excited if people come over but it is generally short-lived, estimated about 2 minutes of him being a bull in a china shop. It is also one of the rare times Carter will bark. Current owner use to use the command “place” to control this but hasn’t kept up with it. Now he and his wife use a shock collar when older parents or in-laws visit, and/or to keep him from barking and waking the sleeping babies.
Carter is a TERRIFIC traveler and LOVES to get out and see the world. He’s taken multiple trips to Austin and camping trips to Broken Bow. He does not need numerous breaks which they found a perk.
Carter does not like going to the vet, as he is convinced, beyond a doubt from his own experience, that bad things happen there. He’s fine with the other animals there…he just does not like the process of seeing a vet and all that goes with it. Currently, their vet gets him a sedative for the night before a visit to take the edge off. That has been working.
Carter goes to a groomer every two months or so for a bath and blow-out. They have gotten no complaints about his behavior there, though on occasion they let him air dry because he doesn’t like the blowers. CO noted that they do not cut Carter, they keep his coat long.
As mentioned Carter lives with an infant and a two year-old. He wants to interact with 2 year-old more but they keep things fairly guarded because of his size and because he might inadvertently “paw” him. Carter has had limited exposure to school age children and but seems good with them. He’ll play some but not excessively. Mostly Carter just wants to be involved with the people he’s around young or old, and part of whatever is going on.
Biggest Challenges for an Adopter: Carter’s CO believes Carter might have more challenges adjusting to a new environment than a new adopter has with him. He worries he’ll be homesick but knows if he’s given a lot of activity and attention (that he isn’t getting much of now), he’ll be fine and will actually will do better in the long run. His advice to a new owner is to work with Carter lovingly, but firmly on establishing his training routine because Carter will probably resist commands if you don’t. You need to be more tenacious than he is basically.
What an Adopter will LOVE about Carter: Carter’s personality is very human-like and it is easy to love him. He loves you back. He want to be with you and is incredibly loyal. Overall, Carter is easy-going, up for everything, and just goes with the flow.
Ideal Next Home:
CO is not taking rehoming lightly and would not be pursuing this if circumstances were different and Carter was getting the attention he needed to thrive.
He believes Carter would do really well in a variety of home situations but the most important thing is someone having the time and dedication to give him the attention and loves he craves. Someone with Airedale or similar breed experience would be a ideal. Like most Airedales Carter has a large personality and he needs someone who is loving but able to “be the boss”…or else Carter will appoint himself to that position.
Carter needs a secure yard and daily opportunities for mental and physical activity. He loves chasing a ball and a bit to tug-o-war.
He would do fine with elementary age, dog-savy children.
He has always been an only dog but might enjoy having a canine sibling.
