Koda Needs a Home!

Koda is a VERY special dog, with an incredible heart, warm smile and zest for life that belies the early trauma he's thought to have suffered.  While little is known for sure about Koda's early days it is clear that he was on his own for a significant amount of time.  When Koda entered AARF (a rescue program for Australian Cattle Dogs) he had few social or domestic skills.  His rescuer, Diana, often relates that she had to teach him how to drink from a bowl and navigate through doorways. 

When he came to work with Mark in Leader of the Pack's Live-in training program in the middle of February he was 40 lbs. overweight, fearful of his own shadow, unaccustomed to walking on a leash, traversing stairwells, and was extremely guarded around his food, water and toys.

In the days and weeks that have followed we have seen huge progress in Koda's emotional and physical development.  As the pounds and layers of issues begin to be shed we've uncovered a playful, happy and loving dog.  He is now leash trained and will heel, sit and stay on command.  He continues to learn to share his water and toys with the rest of the pack and now glides down the stairs as if it were nothing at all. 

Koda loves to play and really loves music!  He especially loves it when you sing or dance along to the music - as is often the case in our home.  We found this out by accident one day as we were listening and singing along with our favorite music and noticed Koda bounding around, spinning and swinging his tail as he danced around the room with a big smile on his face. 

There are still a few weeks left in Koda's training program so he'll be ready for adoption in late April.  Keep an eye on this page, as well as the Archived Page, to watch his progress.  You'll notice that he is becoming more and more familiar with a variety of settings, people and pets.  Along with general urbanization, socialization with cats, people and other dogs, his training also includes time in our Foundations Class which ends on 4/18/10.

Koda still needs help adjusting to the world around him and will benefit from a stable home environment.  He continues to lose weight  and will definitely continue to lose more as long as he remains active and on a healthy and controlled diet.  He will need a home where people are ready to provide stable rules, gentle but firm corrections and guidance, along with regular exercise and social interaction.  Koda has made leaps and bounds during his training and will continue to do so as long as his new family follows the prescribed training, behavior management steps, and provides him all the love and happiness he deserves.

Koda may always be a special dog with very special needs but for the right family he will bring many years of laughter, love and loyal companionship.  If you or anyone you know of is interested in being Koda's forever family please contact Mark at 503-704-5687 or submit a request on our Contact form.