Introducing Scooby (Protege #0177)! Scooby is a 3 year old red merle male Aussie! He has recently been neutered, is up to date on all vaccinations, has been heartworm tested and is on preventatives. He is small in height, but has a few extra pounds that he could stand to lose. He currently weighs in at 34 pounds, but would probably be best at 30 pounds.

Scooby is very affectionate and super cute, and he is definitely a velcro Aussie who wants nothing more in life than to be right where his people are. He gets along well with all other dogs, and is currently being fostered in Cedar Rapids, Iowa at Camp Bow Wow where he interacts with staff and up to 14 other dogs on a daily basis.

Scooby has done well with everyone he meets. He is a bit nervous upon first meeting, but is quite quick to warm up to new people after introductions. He shows interest in cats, and will follow them around if the cats are playing, but Scooby has been respectful of them.

Scooby was originally raised in a Spanish-speaking household. We have been working on learning what Scooby's commands were in Spanish, and we are slowly trying to help him to associate them with the matching English commands. He is very eager to please, and if he understands what you are asking for he responds very well.

Scooby is completely housetrained, and has not had any accidents in the house or in his kennel at camp. He initially fusses, but quiets quickly when you leave the area, or when you tell him to be quiet.

The shelter staff reported that when Scooby was dropped off at the shelter there was a toddler with them, who was hugging and kissing Scooby, and Scooby was very tolerant of this. We have not yet tested him with small children, but based on this account I would think that he will probably do fine with kids.

If you are looking for a cute, smaller-sized Aussie who has a big heart to love his new family, Scooby would love to become a forever part of your family! If you might be interested in learning more about Scooby, please email Jayne at mcjayne@yahoo.com. While we welcome your questions about this dog, all adopters are required to complete a Protege Adoption Application before being considered to adopt a Protege dog; our adoption fee is $200.

Jo
Iowa

Look at this adorable little guy! This is Skippy (#0179). He really is a very nice little Jack Russell Terrier puppy. Skippy was born on August 21, so less than 4 months old, and belonged to an elderly lady who very soon discovered that a Jack Russell was way too much for her!

Skippy is looking for a home that is prepared for young terrier energy. Not only is he adorable, but he is a snuggler and is getting along well with with dogs in his foster home. He has discovered the great game of chase, and takes turns being the chaser or chasee with a 7 month old Border Collie pup. Skippy meets new people happily, showing no fear and cuddling readily cuddling.

Skippy is learning that his crate is a safe and quiet place for resting and we are working on housebreaking, although he has a good start already with it and with close supervision is doing great. He keeps his crate dry and has been sleeping through the night. He is about 5 pounds now and will likely be less than 15 when full grown. He has had his second set of puppy shots, is neutered and on flea and heartworm preventative.

If you might be interested in learning more about Skippy, please email Jayne at mcjayne@yahoo.com. While we welcome your questions about this dog, all adopters are required to complete a Protege Adoption Application (http://protegerescue.org) before being considered to adopt a Protege dog; our adoption fee is $200.

Jo
Iowa

Pancho (Protege #0176) is a neutered male terrier mix who is sweet, mild-mannered and easy to please. He is about 9 months to 1 year old is up to date on all of his shots and vaccinations. Pancho is totally adorable with his scruffy, but soft hair and his medium (28 lbs) build. Pancho was found as a stray on Thanksgiving day. He had been hanging around some country homes for several weeks and none of the neighbors knew him or had seen him before. They were all afraid that Pancho might have the same deadly fate as many other stray dogs on busy country roads, so to save his life they sent him to our rescue group.

Pancho is a very playful boy and seems to love all other dogs. He spends his free time playing with his foster brothers and sisters every day. Pancho also loves all people and although he isn't the least bit shy, he is a very gentle dog. Pancho takes treats tenderly is not a pushy dog. He is learning not to put his front paws up on people, but when he forgets and does jump up he is very light-footed.

Pancho has learned sit, down and shake (with a clicker). He learns quickly and is eager to please the human working with him. Pancho is treat motivated and easy to train. He would be the perfect trick dog for an owner who is willing to spend some time training Pancho to do neat things! Pancho is also learning come and always listens well in the house and the backyard. He is great on a leash and never pulls, however Pancho's foster mom has not had him off leash (other than in her backyard) and would not venture to do this with him until he really knew his new home.

Pancho is totally housebroken, although he does seem to like to mark when he is in new places. When Pancho first came to his foster home he tried to mark three times, but this has not been an ongoing issue. He has never had an actual accident in the house. Pancho is also crate trained and generally quiet in the crate. He does not like to go into the crate, but will go in easily for a treat. Pancho has also been left out of his crate while his foster mom is at work and he has been totally fine.

Pancho is not at all food possessive. Although he loves food, other dogs will easily push him aside and take his food if his foster mom does not watch them. His foster mom can also pet him while he eats or take food away from him very easily. Pancho is not a dominant dog and could easily be taken advantage of by more dominant pushy dogs. He amazingly mild-mannered and calm for a terrier mix. Although Pancho is easy going, he can get excited like any terrier would. He enjoys toys and playing tug (lightly) with other dogs or people. He would likely do well in a dog sport home (flyball, frisbee or agility) however would also fit in well as a family dog for terrier savvy people.

Pancho enjoys car rides and does well in the car. He is a snuggly dog and enjoys a good petting from his foster mom. Sometimes Pancho thinks he should be a lap dog, but that only lasts a couple minutes before he goes to lay by himself on a dog bed or the other side of the couch. Right now Panhco is allowed on the furniture, but he could easily be taught otherwise.

Pancho is being fostered in Cedar Rapids, Iowa. If you might be interested in learning more about Quinn, please email Jayne at mcjayne@yahoo.com. While we welcome your questions about this dog, all adopters are required to complete a Protege Adoption Application (http://protegerescue.org) before being considered to adopt a Protege dog; our adoption fee is $200.

Jo
Iowa

We are pleased to introduce handsome Quinn (Protege #0178)! Quinn is a neutered male blue merle Aussie with tons of personality who is eager to please! He is about 1-1/2 years old and very happy to be as active as you'd like. Quinn has beautiful markings; we especially like the dark merle spot on his left hind end (see photo).

Quinn loves to play with other dogs and is very gentle. He is not at all possessive about food; in fact, when his foster brother and sister are licking out human bowls, he just stands back and watches. Quinn is having a lot of fun with clicker training, and is enthusiastically learning come, sit, down, and rollover. When he's out in the backyard, he comes right away to the door when called. He loves to go for car rides.

Quinn is completely housebroken and is cratetrained. He goes right into a crate, with or without a treat, and stays quietly. If he knows you are about, he may whine, but settles quickly when told. Though he loves to play and has a lot of energy, he also settles down nicely in the house, and lies quietly nearby while you work.

Quinn has a sporty build and would be a good candidate for additional training in obedience or a dog sport such as agility or flyball. He is overly excited when introduced to new situations, but we think the more socializing he gets, the less of a problem this will be. As he becomes more accustomed to and attached to his foster mom, he is starting to greet her by jumping up and putting his paws on her chest. He is very gentle about this and is doing it out of happiness, but of course it is a bad habit, and we are discouraging it. As a rule, he is not getting on furniture without being invited, though he has taken to jumping up into the bay window to look out (and how handsome he is sitting in the window!).

Quinn's learned how to do stairs since he's been in foster care, and now loves to run up and down. He is also beginning to carry stuffed toys around and play with them a bit; so far, he has not been destructive. He loves to enjoy a nice bone with the other dogs in the evening.

Quinn is up to date on all vaccinations, on heartworm and flea & tick preventative, and is ready to go to his forever home immediately. He is just looking for someone to be his best friend forever, and we're sure he will do whatever you ask of him with unbounded happiness and enthusiasm. He is being fostered in Cedar Rapids, Iowa.

Here is a video of Quinn playing with his foster brother:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UDcUP3kuE4g

If you might be interested in learning more about Quinn, please email Jayne at mcjayne@yahoo.com. While we welcome your questions about this dog, all adopters are required to complete a Protege Adoption Application before being considered to adopt a Protege dog; our adoption fee is $200.



Jo
Iowa

Introducing Peeka (#0175)! Peeka is a two and a half year old black-tri Terrier/Chihuahua mix, weighing in just shy of 10 pounds! She is spayed, up to date on vaccinations, heartworm tested negative, and on preventatives. Peeka is currently being fostered at Camp Bow Wow where she gets to play and interact with the staff and other dogs of similar size. Peeka is fully housetrained and crate trained, she likes to keep her cabin clean at camp. Peeka has been interested in cats when out on home visits to a foster home, but while interested, she has been respectful of them. Peeka plays with up to 14 other dogs at a time at camp, and has done very well with all other dogs she has met.

Peeka has a lot of energy and loves to play, but she also knows when it is time to relax. She is very affectionate, loves hugs and snuggling up close. Peeka wants to be wherever you are, so if she is in her crate and she knows you are in the area she does fuss initially, but with a reminder she quiets down in a few minutes. Peeka loves going on car rides and loves to sit with a passenger and look out the windows at the scenery!

Peeka knows a few basic obedience commands, and is currently working on learning some more, and improving the ones she already knows. She is very intelligent and wants to please, and will continue to improve her manners with some more training.

Peeka is looking for her forever home, which ideally will be an active household with time to spend training and playing with her. We are recommending that she not go to a home with children younger than 7 or 8; very small kids and very small dogs just don't mix. We think she would make a great candidate for dog sports as well if you are looking for your next rising star! Words can't describe this adorable little dog and the love and joy she will bring to her new home.

Here is a little video of Peeka at camp: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=u-G8oK3jrT4

If you might be interested in learning more about Peeka, please email Jayne at mcjayne@yahoo.com. While we welcome your questions about this dog, all adopters are required to complete a Protege Adoption Application before being considered to adopt a Protege dog; our adoption fee is $200.

Jo
Iowa

Introducing Isabella (#174)! Isabella is a blue merle female Aussie with beautiful blue eyes, approximately 1 year old. She was found caught in an animal trap, and thankfully, she has been left with no permanent damage after she was freed from the trap by an animal control officer. Isabella is spayed, up to date on vaccinations, heartworm tested negative and on preventatives.

Isabella is a super sweet, affectionate velcro Aussie. She wants to be with you wherever you are. She is completely housetrained, and has not had any accidents in her foster home. She is very curious about the resident cats and has followed them around some, but has been respectful of them. Isabella is currently staying at Camp Bow Wow where she is able to interact with staff and up to 14 other dogs in the play areas. She has gotten along well with all staff and dogs that she has met.

Isabella does not seem familiar with being in a crate, so we are working on going into the crate on her own. Currently she needs to be led into the crate, where we then give her a treat in order to reinforce this new behavior. She is doing well, and does not seem nervous in the crate. She sometimes fusses initially when crated if she can still see you in the area, but she quiets quickly and is quiet when you leave the house.

Isabella does not enjoy car rides at this point in time. We have tried having her ride in the crate in the car, and she drools heavily and is uneasy. We have found that she rides better free, and we see much less drooling and she seems a bit more comfortable. I think with some desensitization and positive reinforcement, she can overcome her nervousness in the car. Isabella does not seem to know any formal obedience commands, so she is working on learning basic obedience commands with the clicker. She is very eager to make you happy, and is a quick study with learning new behaviors.

Isabella has likely been through some rough patches in her short life, and as a result she is a bit shy in new situations. She will take some time to warm up, but her naturally affectionate demeanor and her desire to please people help her work through this, and she is soon giving hugs. When she is in an environment she is comfortable with, she is quick to greet any visitors. When we picked her up from the shelter, she threw herself right into our arms for a hug with her Aussie nub just wigglin' like crazy! She is a very sweet and beautiful dog inside and out, and will make her new forever home very lucky to have her!

Here is a little video of Isabella at camp:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RgI0HivFhc4

If you might be interested in learning more about Isabella, please email Jayne at mcjayne@yahoo.com. While we welcome your questions about this dog, all adopters are required to complete a Protege Adoption Application before being considered to adopt a Protege dog; our adoption fee is $200.

Jo
Iowa

This handsome boy is Petey ( Protege #0172). He is a 10 year old neutered male cattle dog mix who weighs around 26 pounds. He came to us with 2 other house mates as an owner surrender due to the owner's medical problems. Petey is a wonderful little guy who is looking for someone to love him unconditionally for the rest of his life.

Petey recently went to the vet and had some dental work done, he had to have several teeth pulled. They forgot to tell him that he might be sore, and he has been eating dry food ever since without any problem. He loves to chew on bones but will let his foster mom take them away from him. He does show some signs of mild arthritis. That does not slow him down when he wants to play chase with other dogs or go for a walk.

He is fully housetrained and will stand at the door when he needs to go out. He does well when kenneled or left out in the house. Petey likes to sleep on the couch or one of the dog beds at night, although he probably would sleep in bed if you let him. He loves to snuggle and give you kisses. He will also go into his kennel and lay down.

He is learning to have a faster more reliable sit. His foster mom has been using the clicker and treats when training. Treats are the second best thing in the world next to just being petted by his human companions. He will be working on not pulling as much on leash when on walks. Petey knows come fairly well.

Petey gets along well with other dogs and does not pay much attention to cats. He is a very easy going dog and adapted quickly to rules in his foster home. Petey loves everyone he meets, and though he does have a bad habit of jumping on people when he meets them, he is very gentle about it; this is also something we are working on.

Here are 2 videos of Petey:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=50V5qigQF6Y
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HT5s-NMLkIc

Petey would love to become a member of your family. He is being fostered in Cedar Rapids, Iowa. If you might be interested in learning more about Petey, please email Jayne at mcjayne@yahoo.com. While we welcome your questions about this dog, all adopters are required to complete a Protege Adoption Application before being considered to adopt a Protege dog; our adoption fee is $200. Petey is being fostered in Iowa City, Iowa.

Jo
Iowa

Mork (Protege #0171) is a 5 year old black-tri male Australian Shepherd. He was turned in by his owner due to the owner's medical problems. He’s neutered and very well-mannered. Mork spent most of his 5 years locked up in his crate, so new surroundings make him a little timid. He likes to have his crate as an option for someplace to hide and feel safe. He is a fantastic dog to play fetch with (returns it every time), and he has just started agility training!

Mork LOVES other dogs. He goes to the dog parks a couple of times a week with his foster parents and loves running around with the other dogs and playing fetch. Mork’s foster parents have 2 cats that Mork gets along with fine (he’s submissive to them, so just ignores them or goes around them leaving plenty of space). Because of his slightly more timid nature, young children scare Mork at first. It might be best if he were placed in a home with older children.

When outside Mork has limitless energy, but inside he calms down and wants nothing more than to lay at your feet. The only time Mork will jump onto a bed or couch is if he is invited.

Mork is mostly a quite boy; the only times he has barked have been alarm barking ( i.e., if walking at night and someone approaches he will bark quietly or growl, or if no one is home and you walk up and shake the door handle he will bark through the door).

When left alone Mork can be crated or not. He is very well housetrained and has neither marked his territory nor had an accident in the house. Mork also knows how to: sit, stay, come, lay down, shake, fetch, stand up on hind legs and catch a ball in the air.

Here are a couple of short videos of Mork:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=e7tMjhGVHo8

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hcSwcdgDTD4

Mork is current on all his vet work, is on heartworm preventative, and is ready for his new home today! If you might be interested in learning more about Mork, please email Jayne at mcjayne@yahoo.com. While we welcome your questions about this dog, all adopters are required to complete a Protege Adoption Application before being considered to adopt a Protege dog; our adoption fee is $200. Mork is being fostered in Iowa City, Iowa.

Jo
Iowa