Balu (happiest dog around!) Australian Cattle Dog / Blue Heeler Mix Ithaca, NY

Hello! My name is Balu, and I am a playful and affectionate goof!

Quick Facts:
Breed: Australian cattle dog mix
Gender: Male, neutered
Age: 2 years old
Size: 44 pounds
Good with…
Dogs? Yes, I absolutely love other dogs!
Cats? Not totally sure, but I have had neutral interactions with cats so far.
Kids? 8+! I like kids but can be rambunctious saying hello.

History
Before joining my foster family, I was a Pennsylvania farm dog who loved to run around and play alongside other dogs. Due to an employment shift with my first loving owner, though, I ended up living tethered in a barn with few opportunities for activity and socialization. This has not stopped me from being a big sweetie who loves to romp and cuddle! Now, with my foster family, I am constantly wrestling with my cattle dog foster brother and curling up in the laps of my foster pawrents!

Personality
My absolute favorite thing to do is play! I am very friendly, good-natured, and social…I love people and other dogs! And while I am good at reading other dogs non-verbal cues, and can leave a dog alone if they don’t want to interact, I LOVE a dog who wants to play chase and run-run-run around with me in a fenced yard! I am also ecstatic to roll around and wrestle with dogs! When doing so, I have good impulse control and take breaks often to check in on my doggy friends’ comfortability. I like one-on-one play but also enjoy playing with multiple dogs at a time!

When I play on my own, I love to chew! If you show me a Nylabone or Bark chew toy, I need to get at it right away! But I am also a sweetie and a nurturer--I often carry around a stuffed green bear, whom I just nuzzle with and take good care of.

I am such a sweetie! When I am not galivanting with other pups, I am cuddling with my humans! After a bout of play, I like to rest my head in the lap of my foster pawrents and snooze. They tell me that I have a cute, quiet snore. If I am awake, though, I am constantly asking for hugs and kisses (I will even wrap my arms around you). I cannot stress enough that I love to give hugs, kisses and little ear nibbles!

I have plenty to learn but am quick to pick up new skills (they tell me I am SMART)! This is the first time that I am living indoors, so we’re working on potty training. I still have the occasional accident indoors, but am doing great. Having a consistent schedule really helps and I have already mastered holding it in overnight and when I am napping!

I am also learning some human requests! I am doing well with “sit” and “down,” and often (haha, not always!) come when my name is called. I do a good job listening to “no” and “leave it”, but those depend on how excited I am in a given moment. I am working on crate training with my foster family and am comfortable lounging in my “den.”

My foster pawrents say that I do a great job being respectful around the house, especially given my outdoor history. While I love to nibble on soft things like blankets and pillows, I have not chewed or torn anything up. My foster pawrents often redirect my nibbles to dog toys, which helps a lot! While my humans are at work, I am given a room to stay in. During the day, I prefer to sleep or “patrol the neighborhood” from the window rather than be destructive.

Cohabitation
I absolutely love people! So much that I am learning how to contain my exuberance when meeting new human friends! In my foster home, I am a huge cuddle-bug and I love sleeping with my foster pawrents and cattle dog brother at night!

I have not had much experience with kids yet. One time, I met a toddler and was quite elated, putting my paws on their shoulders to get closer for a kiss. Given that little’uns might not all understand the friendliness of this, we think that kids 8+ would be best (or 6+ if sturdy and experienced with dogs).

I cannot wait to meet every dog I come across! My foster dog sibling and I are constantly playing and roughhousing inside and snuggling together when we get tired. On walks, whenever I pass a known canine friend or a future buddy, I want to say hello. However, I will move on when asked. I am quick to make new canine friends and get everyone playing!

I am untested with cats. When I do see neighborhood cats, though, my reactions are typically uninterested and neutral.

Favorite Activities
1. Wrestling with canine friends!
2. Chasing and being chased by other dogs!
3. Covering my humans with kisses! Nibbling their ears! Giving hugs!
4. Chewing on Nylabones and appropriate toys!
5. Cuddling up with my foster pawrents!
6. Snuggling up with my green stuffed bear!
7. Exploring new scents around the neighborhood!
8. Meeting new people and dogs!

Medical
I am a healthy pup and up to date on vaccines! I take Sentinel Spectrum to prevent heartworms and intestinal parasites and Bravecto Canine to prevent fleas and ticks!

I tested positive for Anaplasma, but since I am healthy and have no symptoms or signs of an active infection, no treatment is needed.

Summary
Altogether, I am a loving, playful, exuberant and loyal pupper! I love everyone and especially appreciate humans that can keep up with my cattle dog energy. As I am still developing my potty and obedience skills, I would also be grateful for a family who is patient and active in my learning. While I would be fine as an only dog (if you are active and can spend plenty of time with me), I would LOVE a doggy brother or sister who likes to play and romp and chase around! I do well sharing attention, I am not bossy or pushy at all! If you are up for lots of playing and cuddling, I will be a happy pup!
dmb