From the current owner: River is a 3 year old cattledog who had a challenging start but has grown so much since I found her at 3 months old. She is housebroken and can wait more than 12 hours reliably and has never chewed or damaged anything in the house. She loves snow, water, swimming, hiking, running, other dogs, toys, her people, diesel trucks, and fetch. Did I mention she loves water!?!
She is a good security guard. She will follow and lead in the back country and never gives up on a long trail - you can’t loose her! She will run next to a bike and likes the dog park.
River’s challenge is fear; she must be introduced to new people slowly. She has ‘stranger danger’ and will need special attention. Once a person is in her pack she lights up to see them. Most of the time it takes several visits for her to feel safe with someone new. She is afraid of children and of most strangers who try to touch her. If a new person ignores her and let’s her approach them, she warms up faster, and occasionally will let a new person pet her right away.
I spend most of my time alone with her and she does very well like that. I moved from living on acreage, where she would spend all of her time outside playing, into a small place where she can hear people through the walls and it makes her bark.
River and I have taken care of each other alone for years. I’m never afraid walking anywhere with her. She is calm in the house and does best when she has regular exercise. She is overly protective of the vehicle and needs work to calm down when strangers approach the car. She wants to go everywhere and do everything with her person.
I live in a place that is attached to neighbors on both sides. I am working constantly and am unable to exercise her the way I have for years. I’m hoping to find her a new home and willing to make a slow transition.