Age: 4 years

Sex: Spayed Female

Breed: Cattle dog

Weight: 40 lbs

My family is unfortunately in a place where we need to find a new home for our dog Lilo.

Lilo is a very sweet but complicated 4 year old heeler mix. She was adopted by me at 2 years old after entering rescue as a pregnant stray. She has had separation anxiety since adoption, which has gotten worse over time. Unfortunately we have decided we can no longer keep her due to her aggression towards the older small breed dog in our household. She is clinically anxious, easily overstimulated, and is no longer tolerating my small breed dog to the point that we are keeping them entirely separated for his safety, which is not sustainable long term.

She is great with my two young kids and their cousins, and friendly with people she knows. She loves my family, and we love her so much. She doesn’t do well in a kennel, or locked in a room when we’re away (she shreds anything/everything when alone, whether she is contained or not). She likes dogs she knows but not ones she doesn’t. She lives happily with her son who is a 40 lb neutered heeler/husky mix, and our cat. She is on high dose trazodone, clomipramine, and apoquel for skin issues, and a grain free diet. She does have to be pilled manually, she is too smart for hiding pills in pill pockets or treats, but will sometimes just eat them on top of her food.

We believe she would thrive in an environment with limited chaos and the ability to be with her person everyday. She would need an experienced owner who is knowledgeable with herding drive and can help her with her separation anxiety, training and managing her anxiety, and learning her quirks. She loves to run and be outdoors, she loves to play fetch and chase, and I believe if she had a job that would greatly help her mentally. She loves my children to a fault: Pretend to play fight with them or play with them too loudly and she will heeler nip to keep you in check. This is common heeler behavior and not aggressive. She is fiercely protective of our home and yard boundaries. Kids playing loudly on their own? No problem for her at all.

She is a strange little girl and is often more comfortable approaching you for affection. She gives tiny little kisses and loves to nuzzle. She is a barker at outdoor stimulus and tends to redirect when stimulated by visitors/deliveries. She is fully housetrained. Responds well to voice redirection. Knows some basic commands. She is spayed, vaccinated for Rabies and DHPP, and I plan to update Lyme and Lepto in the spring. She is current on heartworm prevention monthly and was given a flea and tick injection last October that lasts 1 year. If I had extensive time to devote to training her I would, but I cannot risk the life of my small dog who has been in the home for 9 years.

This is a very hard decision for our family, and I know none of this is her fault. She is a beautiful, sweet, complicated dog, and we just want her to have a happier life. Please message for more info if you think you can give her what she needs.

CONTACT Jen for more info: 410-829-3502