Nina Dogo Argentino & Labrador Retriever Mix Scarborough, ON

Nina is the nicest pup, and we've given her a birthdate of October 4, 2023.

She lived her life in a small encampment as a companion for an unhoused human. When they found it too much with Nina growing rapidly and working through her puppy phases, they reached out for Mattie's Place to intake her.

Nina is doing amazing learning boundaries and expectations and really learning to focus on her handler but does have some further leash skills to learn

She does have some super interest in squirrels on walks, but isn't over-committed to anything more than high interest and is quickly learning to regulate her emotions when it comes to her curiosity and to move on.

She does well with other dogs and loves to play all in but can be intimidated by harder play-styles.

She's friendly with all people she meets and loves to say hello.

She's a really smart dog and has an inquisitive mind now that she's learning how to be a dog without life pressure on her.

Nina was spayed April 10th and is now fully recovered. She was weighed June 15th and is currently sitting at 70 pounds and will likely not grow much more beyond filling out weight. Maybe a 75 pound dog? Her back sits about knee height on a 5' 8" human. She's not a very tall dog and her build is more on the slender side.

She will do best with an adopter that is committed to further training with a professional trainer unless you come with a lot of training/experienced background. Professional training is a gift to all dogs and I just love when Adopters are willing to offer up that training gift.

She'll also do best in a home with a secured backyard to hangout in and play. I don't believe condo living is her vibe.

She is crate trained and doesn't mind her crate time and has zero separation anxiety.

Nina is just a really great dog that just wants the love of her humans and to belong.

Nina travels well in the car, but will get car sick if she's fed right before travel, so best to not feed her the morning of her going on any long trips.

Her energy levels are medium and providing she has some playtime (tug is her favourite) and a couple of walks or yard time she's good. She can go harder if you need her too, but she doesn't need any type of vigorous exercise routines.


FROM HER FOSTER
(also a highly regarded dog trainer)

Nina is a puppy who is down to party.

She is a sweet and handler focused dog who is just looking to have fun every day of her life.

She is fully crate trained and can be left alone for several hours without needing a potty break.

She is great in the house, however as a puppy she is curious so she needs to be watched when left to free roam and directed away from things that she shouldn’t be doing like counter surfing.

Nina loves to play. Her love language is tug but she loves to play with the flirt pole and to play fetch too. She is very cooperative and knows how to let go of the toy when you ask her.

She is a very quick learner and is very trainable. She is highly food motivated and is extremely eager to please and do things with you.

She is friendly towards all people she meets. She is excitable around dogs but is friendly in nature.

Her leash walking has improved a lot.

She has prey drive and will pull towards things like birds and squirrels but is getting much better and just walking loose leash next to you.

Currently Nina is getting 2 — 30 minute walks a day with breaks for tug to get her energy out. She is medium energy and knows how to chill out once she has been fulfilled.

She is very good at letting people handle her paws and body and was great for getting a bath.

She can be fine being with other dogs. She just has a lot of excited energy so she just needs to be monitored so she’s not bothering anyone incessantly.

She’s amazing in the crate and has had no issues being in the crate and watching other dogs be out.

As long as she gets chances to play tug or fetch throughout the day she is very easy to take care of.


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To note: the above description is relevant to this dog in his current &/or previous setting. Home changes & adopter personalities can bring out different behaviours not previously seen.

We also do not claim, endorse, suggest or hint at, that any of our dogs are hypoallergenic, low shed or no-shed.

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Adoption fee includes: spay/neuter, deworming, flea/tick prevention, vaccinations, food, nose to tail health exam, toys, leash|collar, go home preventative based on season.