(Updates as of 02-16-25) Please Note: we are not updating on George to such a degree because she is problematic, it is only because she does have a couple of peculiarities and we, along with her foster family, want her set up for total success when adopted. Having these insights from an experienced Airedale foster family are invaluable to someone considering adoption.
George in a Nutshell: “REST, PLAY, REPEAT”
Sweetheart Sweetie • Playful • Affectionate • Sensitive • Very trainable • Eager to Please • Easy to Correct • No Counter Surfing (so far) • Enjoys Squirrel Patrol • Mature for her age • NOT over-active • Thoroughly TRUSTS her people
So far, the FF concludes Georgie is a SWEETHEART! However she is noise-sensitive and can be skittish to new things, so they began their time with her mostly “hanging” at the house soaking up loving while decompressing from her past boarding, as well as the enormous sudden changes she experienced in the surrender process.
Georgie calmed down easily and quickly became very comfortable, enjoying the love and attention in her FF home. The first day or two she spent time running and playing only in their backyard to isolated her from encountering other dogs.
George's first outing was her vet wellness appointment (spoiler alert: all was good). She was nervous on the way there but manageable, and overall very easy. The FF avoided likely stress in the waiting room by staying in the car until her exam room was available. She was VERY GOOD for the vet and tech and especially enjoyed the peanut butter they provided. The FF noted that just the sound of other dogs barking (unseen from another room) at the vet office stressed her. They believe a new home with another dog will be a challenge unless it is just the right fit. The FF confirmed George would NOT be a good fit in a home cats or other pet small animals.
George met her FF neighbor’s canines through their fence recently and reacted like what we’ve seen and now expect with her being introduced to new dogs. All the dogs were just taken inside.
Unsurprising from her recent life’s upheaval, George is showing a bit of separation anxiety and wants her people near her. She gets nervous when one of the FF leaves, even just to be in the garage. Environmental changes worry her but she will slowly calm down.
George’s FF work from home and believe that is an ideal situation for her. They say she is smart, very trainable and easy to correct but that because she is a sensitive girl, corrections should be gentle. She wants to please. Overall, they said George is VERY GOOD considering her young age..and that she’s an Airedale! They believe any dog experienced person would be a fit with her, not necessarily Airedale experienced needed. Most likely, only older, dog-experienced children would be a fit to live with her.
Georgie LOVES her furniture privileges and having a home that allows that would be ideal.
SLEEPING: “The first night, she was very noise-aware at bedtime, so she was barking... but after shutting her in our room, she calmed down with only a few barks and growls. Last night was easier to settle her and we had no barks or growls. She does, unfortunately, want to sleep in the bed with us, lol. That's been okay because we really would not trust her in the house alone... for one, she's an Airedale, lol, but she IS a chewer. She could get herself into some trouble easily if allowed. We put our crate out without the door, knowing she was exposed to crating but isn't really 'crate-trained'. Some find the crate comforting, but she really isn't interested, so I wouldn't want to crate her at night, and for now, the bedroom works. She DID finally try her new bed for a while last evening (before bedtime). Prior she's only attacked it, lol. We put it in our room at bedtime, but she prefers a king mattress. Will do the same tonight but will encourage her to try it. — Foster Family” (Update: George is now embracing her doggie bed and FF has noted she puts herself to bed at in the evening! She apparently appreciates her beauty sleep. Last night she slept in her own bed till about 2:20am before joining her FF!)
The FF describe George’s sleep startle as very mild and noted she rebounds quickly. They also indicated that although she wants and thoroughly soaks up pets and attention, sometimes she is sensitive about how you touch or reach to her and will casually let you know she isn’t receptive to a touch or reach at the moment.
WALKING: “Walking on our cul-de-sac was overwhelming (sensory overload) so we practiced on lead in the backyard with the clicker and treats. Progressed so we were able to go ahead and make it to the end of the street and back without choking or too much drama.”
George has now had a couple of very fun, SUCCESSFUL park visits…but in rather isolated areas…she even “sat” and took a treat when a small dog was in view without totally losing her mind…baby steps!!!
(Original Profile , Updated 02-12-2025) Meet our new girl George. She is looking for JUST the right home where she can thrive.
George: 1yr-3months (approximate) • Female • 50.6 lbs • Spayed • House trained • Affectionate/Friendly • Still in Puppy Mode • Taking Heartguard and K-9 Advantix • Not Microchipped (TART will pay to have that done) • No bite/aggressive history but does exhibit some sleep-startle reflex on occasion • Allowed on furniture • Good in car • Untested with Cats (probably not a good) • Limited crate experience when younger • Active but enjoys her chill time too • Purebred but no papers • Minimal exposure to children • Needs continued training on a leash • Left alone in home uncrated • Minimal barker • Some training • Good at vet/groomer • Good/Relaxed in car
Background: George’s current owners obtained her as a young puppy from an Airedale breeder in the Denton area. No papers were obtained. George’s mother was large though George is not. George’s current family is a couple who also own an 8 year-old male Wire-haired Fox Terrier. George was their first Airedale.
The couple recently had a baby, and although George is usually very laid back around new people and even children she meets on walks (she is mostly uninterested), she seems uncharacteristically obsessed with the newborn. It has caused so much anxiety for the new parents that they have put her into boarding and decided to surrender her.
Medical: George is described as in very good health. Current vet records are in the TART files. She was spayed in October 2024. During the procedure, the vet noticed a benign tumor on her spleen that was removed. She is on no medications other than a monthly heart worm treatment. TART will pay for a wellness exam and having any vaccinations and essentials updated.
Temperament: George is a young, affectionate, energetic goofy girl who is still operating in puppy mode. She is fully house-broken and has multiple ways to let you know if/when she needs a break outside.
George can be left alone in the home without getting into mischief. She would chew inappropriately some as a small puppy. Every now and then, if she hasn’t gotten enough mental/physical interaction, she might get in to something, but it is rare.
She is friendly with strangers/visitors and doesn’t even bark when people come to her home (the fox terrier handles that role). She is friendly but not overly-excited around new people and settles almost immediately. Even when she meets children or new people on walks George is mostly uninterested.
George is energetic and active but easily goes from high energy running to laying next to you soaking up the attention.
George has had some formal training at her home and is very, very smart and receptive, but like most Airedales, can be a bit selective on when/how she minds. Overall she is eager to please. Her current owners noted she seemed to mind much better for the trainer than them. In their opinion that was because they weren’t as consistent, firm or committed with the follow-up as they should be.
George LOVES walks but could use more training, especially when walking in areas around other dogs. She can heel if treats are involved. If excited about dogs in the vicinity, George pulls and barks. She is mostly indifferent to people and/or kids.
George has had very little exposure to children but has been fine/indifferent to those she meets when she is out and about. She would not be a good fit in a home with smaller children based on her size, lack of self-awareness, and puppy-energy. Also, her occasional sleep startle reflex might concern even older children unless they were extremely dog savvy and/or understanding.
(Updated) George lived with an 8 year old male, smaller terrier and, as she grew, became the alpha of the two. There were two dogs who live next door and George had no big reaction when they were outside at the same time she is. George would also go to boarding and doggie daycare and used to have no issues. Since being spayed in October George has become reactive to other dogs while out walking. That being said, current owner believes George would enjoy being an only dog as she does like “her space”. After her spay, George also began showing some resource guarding tendencies with the wire-haired fox terrier at mealtime. George and her canine sibling could be fed together but bowls were put far apart to be on the safe-side.
(Other updates reference George and her interactions with other dogs from her former owner and our TART volunteer observations:
TART Volunteer 1 had several hours with George (and some one on one time with her former owner) yesterday before he dropped her off with Volunteer 2. He noted that when she is by herself, George is a sweet, endearing, affectionate girl who is even pretty good and responsive on a leash. Tons of potential as far as training. HOWEVER, when she sees other dogs out and about on walks, she looses her mind. According to her current owner, this reactiveness started after she got spayed this past October. She didn’t use to react like this. She grew up as a puppy with the smaller Wire-haired fox terrier in her home (she was smaller than him at the beginning) and has lived happily with him though she has developed occasional resource guarding of food with him that also started after she was spayed. She also use to go to doggy-daycare and do well, but since her spay she is prone to barking defensively at the other dogs and often is put in a quiet time by herself.
When Volunteer 1 took George to Volunteer 2's home for an overnight stay prior to transport, she met his two smaller dogs first and, as expected, was very reactive and they eventually separated the smaller ones to another area of the house. Then they brought in Volunteer 2's female Airedale, George again initially acted very reactive and defensive, barking and going nuts. Over a little time while given verbal reassurance, the two volunteers carefully allowed both young female Airedales to get closer and closer. When they finally touch noses, George’s tail began to wag and she immediately settled down and they began to interact in a happy, friendly manner. (Volunteer 2's backyard is a muddy at the moment from all the rain so they weren’t able to let them interact/play out there). They were all taking a walk together, getting along great when Volunteer 1 left. Volunteer 2 reported later that George and his Airedale were now happily playing together in the living room!!! Later, one of his smaller dogs even joined in to the play (Cocker Spaniel). Volunteer 2 slept in his guest room that night sandwiched between both Airedales, George with her head resting on his legs and his Airedale lying her head on his chest as thunderstorms blew through. Neither Airedale liked the thunder but George was not particularly anxious. She had no noticeable sleep startle reflex episodes during her time there and there was no resource guarding by George at feeding time.
So bottom line, as to new adopters, George will for sure be a great only dog and possibly good with another Airedale or friendly dog close to her size. I would just think if we go that route, we need to prepare for a rough, reactive beginning and have a backup plan in the event it doesn’t go as well as it did with Volunteer 2's Airedale.
Volunteer 1 also thinks George would do well with an Airedale or other experienced dog owner. He thinks her not having enough socialization and a firm "Airedale level" alpha human presence early on might be why she is stressed/anxious and reactive around other dogs as she seems to feel she has to handle everything. Her reactivity seems to be driven by insecurity not dominance. She REALLY, REALLY responded well to some firm boundaries and is quite smart and eager to please. It’s like she WANTS someone else to take charge and lead the show…in his opinion. She needs a confident owner who won’t lose their mind when she loses hers, but will take control and work with her giving her reassurance and confidence to get through these initial reactions. )
George is most likely not a good candidate for living in a home with cats or other small animals.
George has had furniture privileges and sleeps during the day and at night in the living room on a sofa/chair or by her current owner’s bed when the bedroom door is open. George has occasional bouts of sleep-startle reflex where, if she is in sleep mode and is touched or startled she might jump up suddenly and might even make a defensive sound. Note: This is a common behavior in dogs and is an instinctual protective reaction to a potential threats. George does this occasionally and her “reflex” is generally just a sudden jerk awake that might startle someone witnessing it if they aren’t use to it.
George has no known anxiety to storms, fireworks or other loud noises.
George is usually good in the backyard. She never tries to breach the fence (8ft. wood). On rare occasions if it is hot, she might dig a shallow place in soft dirt to lie down.
George is good in the car. She settles in and is quiet and seems relaxed.
George get baths every couple of weeks and tolerates them well. She is also good at the groomer and vet.
George is not a big barker but will bark back if another dog barks at her.
George’s Favorite Things: George loves to run around, explore and investigate. She is a joy to watch run, like she’s doing interpretive dance! She is super playful and loves interacting in endearing ways with her people. She is also a sweet, affectionate cuddle-bug who enjoys soaking up the love.
George’s Least Favorite Things: George doesn’t really have any “least favorite things”. She is an easy-going girl overall and never complains about any situation.
George’s Biggest Challenges to New Owner: George’s leash training and dog reactivity is her biggest challenge. Current owners are currently trying a mouth leash and are making some progress. There might also be a dicey beginning as she meets another dog but we have seen her overcome this on at least one occasion and she went on to enjoy the playful interactions that followed.
What a New Owner will LOVE about George: New owners will love how easily George can transition from high-energy play, to relaxed, chill next to them mode. Her new owners will also love her friendly, loving, affectionate, endearing temperament.
“A lovely, sweet Airedale who alternates between extremely high energy and enveloping warmth and affection.”
Ideal Next Home:
George is a sweet, happy, affectionate girl who is active and a still very young puppy-girl. She would do best in an Airedale experienced home with no young kids or cats. Her being an only dog would be ideal. George needs someone with the time and motivation to continue her training and give her daily opportunities for mental and physical stimulation. She is being surrendered only because of her unsettling reaction to a newborn in her home. There are no other behaviors driving this surrender. They characterize the surrender as “absolute despair” as she is a love.
(A note from TART) A little more on sleep startle reflex from the Internet and experience from our own sleep-startle Airedales.
Sleep startle is not a sign of aggression. It is important to understand and respect this completely natural instinct in many dogs. Most dogs overcome sleep startle with proper management.
Causes: Sleep-startle reflex is caused by sudden noise, movement or touch that wakes them from a deep sleep making them feel threatened or insecure.
Symptoms can include: Jerky, sudden physical reaction, Jumping up, barking, showing teeth, making sudden, defensive noises, snapping at the air.
Some Management Practices: provide a quiet, comfortable sleeping environment. Approach your dog gently and speak his/her name if you need to awake them from sleeping rather than abruptly touching him. Reward your dog for waking up calmly.
