Meet Owen. A true diamond in the rough - an overused cliche but a good way to describe Owen (or Oddie as I accidentally keep calling him;)!) This boy is soooo sweet you will INSTANTLY fall IN LOVE (and not just because he's ADORABLE - what everyone who passes by him says!). His zest-for-life personality is contagious to those needing a daily pick-me-up … THIS is your boy!

Owen needs an ACTIVE home; a family with older kids would probably be his first choice but he'd be perfectly content with a single person/couple just as long as he's made to feel he's an important part of the family vs. a nuisance (sadly, you can tell he's been made to feel 'unwanted' more than 'wanted' his whole life). If you could find a way to give him free-will-access to the (FENCED) back yard, he will happily come and go; expecting nothing more than acknowledgment that he's there when he pops his head back inside (he's truly the best buddy while I’m slaving away in the kitchen and he comes in and out from the backyard to check that I still know he's there). Even though I'm not spending one-on-one time with him, he's still getting much needed enrichment!

Owen is a great dog for all ages personality-wise. Finding a family with individuals who are old enough to handle Owen's exuberance and not get knocked over is an important consideration for his safety and the comfort of his human companions. To help Owen improve his manners and behavior, consistent training and positive reinforcement techniques can be highly beneficial. It's important to acknowledge that Owen is still working on his leash manners as well and that he may be stronger than he appears. In light of this, it is crucial for his adult owners to have the physical strength necessary to handle him safely and effectively during walks.

He truly wants to be a 'good boy' but without an owner showing him what that means (and being consistent with expectations), his DNA (all active dog breeds) becomes a high-strung/nervous ball of (unwanted) energy. You can see HUGE changes in him after only two weeks living with us and a ROUTINE with CLEAR behavior expectations of him.

True of most dogs who've never had their humans play with them, Owen's still figuring out how to play with those squeaky toys he finds SUPER interesting (his head tilt is toooo cute when you squeak them for him!). Flirt poles in the yard - he CAN (finally) do; showing off athleticism that could be showcased in the Canine Olympics! When finished playing he's more than happy to crawl in for a good long snuggle session on the couch where he loves to snuggle close (if you're lying on your side, he will actually crawl on top of you and, yes, he steals my heart every time). However, just like a toddler, Owen doesn't always recognize when he's getting tired and needing to rest and, instead, appears to his owners as an (annoying) 24/7 ball of energy. Just like with a toddler, Owen's humans need to recognize when he's needing to take a break/sleep. Truly, all it takes to live harmoniously with an active dog like Owen is to offer a home-life that provides routine/structure. It doesn't have to be 'military-style' routine but, instead, recognizable times throughout the day that Owen knows what he's supposed to be doing.

Owen is currently terrified of cats. He can be a bit dramatic …The way he howls like he's been burned; all because the cat touched his nose from under the door - so hilarious to watch. If Owen were to overcome his fear and become curious around cats, it's crucial to manage their interactions carefully to ensure the safety and well-being of both Owen and the cats. He likes all dogs when we pass them on walks and having these positive experiences with other dogs can contribute to his social development. It's understandable that he shows eagerness to join your resident dogs on the other side of the baby gates and introducing Owen to a resident dog who is well-socialized and has good manners can indeed be beneficial. A balanced and patient resident dog can help teach Owen appropriate play behavior and help him understand social cues. Supervised interactions and controlled introductions are essential to ensure the safety and comfort of both dogs. Patience, supervision, and positive reinforcement are key factors in helping Owen develop healthy social skills with resident dogs.

He's not perfect with his people manners and will still forget he's not supposed to jump on people when excited to see them or (softly) 'mouth' them when he's wanting to play (he does this more when he's tired). Honestly, with as quickly (and eagerly) as he's picked up on our training, I feel in the right home he would be so awesome with obedience that you could (one day) enter him in contests.

Truly, this boy's best life has yet to be realized and it's not going to be a gargantuan effort to turn him into the DREAM dog he wants to be. What are you waiting for … fill out that application and come and meet Owen!

Owen is a local surrender. If you are interested in getting to know this animal better, please fill out an adoption application. An adoption application is the best way to show your interest in an animal and is not a binding contract.

To learn more about Ruff Start’s adoption process and the care our foster animals receive, please visit our How to Adopt page.

If you'd like to donate towards this pet's care, you can donate to our Animal Care Fund. Our Animal Care Fund supports the medical and veterinary needs for all Ruff Start Rescue animals. You'll be able to enter this pet's name on the second page of the donation form.