We pulled Rocky from MCACC back in August, and he really had a rough go of things his first month with us. He didn’t do well in his first foster home, in boarding following that or in a subsequent training evaluation, and we were getting pretty worried about him with so much bouncing around. We finally found him a safe, calm foster home to spend the next few months decompressing and learning a thing or two about boundaries and having a safe space. He came really far in that time, so we took the next step in sending him to a board and train program with our trainer in Prescott. He took a little time to adjust once he got there, but now that he has, he is really thriving!

Rocky is on the smaller side at around 45lbs and has plenty of energy still, despite the fact that we know he is at least 5yrs old from his shelter history. He does very well with other dogs, sometimes engaging in play and respecting their boundaries if he gets too close for comfort. He hasn’t shown any concerning behavior at all with other pups and is often content to just hang out with them. Like a typical husky, he can be pretty vocal if he has something on his mind. He’ll get excited to see you when you come home and tell you all about it. He also loves to bounce around the yard entertaining himself (or playing with others) when he has the chance. He loves to go for walks and hikes and getting his exercise in seems to be pretty key for him behaviorally.

In his foster home, he had some issues with guarding food and spaces that he associated with food. Our. trainer has worked with him on these issues and has had no problems at all for quite some time now that she’s spent some time with him! With any move, there may be adjustments, and though our trainer will help his with guidance when he does finally go to his forever home.

The hardest thing about Rocky is that he can take time to adjust to a new setting – and by time, we mean weeks. He loved his foster home where he spent a few weeks immediately, right away – so you might get lucky there! But when he arrived at training, he just seemed all-around sad and distant for a few weeks until he started to open up and trust our trainer and realized that other people are ok. Since that time he’s gotten super snuggly and loving with her, and he’s come even further now to be super loving to every visitor who comes to see her too! He is a very affectionate boy once he feels comfortable.

He’s perfectly potty-trained and is not destructive at all when left out of a crate. He has a couple minor bites on his record from resource guarding incidents – one that got him e-listed and one when he was fresh out of the shelter before he spent months decompressing and before his training. He hasn’t had any incidences of aggression in around 6 months now, and we feel confident that he is starting to reach his potential! Having said that though, Rocky can’t go to a home with kids because of his past bites.

Rocky has really grown on our trainer and we know she would be happy to help with his transition (and post-adoption support) if you are interested in this special boy. If you think you may be a good fit, fill out our adoption application!