UPDATE: Cooper recently completed an intensive board-and-train program. He has nearly perfected heel, place, and has greatly improved his impulse control around other people and dogs. He can calmly and quietly walk around other dogs and people now without reacting. His biggest thing is that he needs a huge yard with someone that has more free time to keep him active and engaged. He’s a very sweet boy that wants to do a good job!

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Cooper is a goofy and energetic boy. He lives in Bloomington, Indiana currently. Cooper is very smart and very responsive to training. He is certainly a working dog but loves to play. Cooper is housebroken and crate trained. I’ve never seen Cooper around cats but I don’t think he would do well around cats as he loves to chase squirrels. He’s very healthy and active. He tested positive for Lyme Disease when he was first adopted but he was treated and received a Lyme vaccination. He has never displayed any symptoms of Lyme Disease. He did have an accidental laceration last year from a tree root that required sedation and suturing but he did well and is fully healed. We frequently go on 2 mile walks and he loves to play in the fenced in backyard.

He’s never been around children in his current home but I don’t think he would do well around kids. Cooper needs an experienced owner, especially one that knows cattle dogs and is a diligent trainer. Cooper is very loyal and loving towards me as his owner. He loves to snuggle and will spoon with me. He will sleep in bed with me or he will sleep in his crate. He loves to play fetch or tug of war. He has a Jolly ball that is his favorite toy and is pretty good at entertaining himself. He does have a best dog friend that he was very gentle playing with but that best friend moved recently.

He is basket muzzle trained. When going to new places, around new people, or new dogs, he needs to have his muzzle on. He is more docile when wearing his muzzle. He has a ton of energy and needs to play or he will be aggressive (nipping at my other dog to try to play). He loves to roll around on his back and will sleep that way sometimes. Because of his high energy, he is on Trazadone twice a day that was started when he was in the shelter. He reportedly always does well at the groomer and at the vet (when he is taken to the back when I’m not with him). They say he is really sweet. He is usually pretty sweet with the boarding team but do try to nip at their feet when they’re in his boarding area.

Cooper is very reluctant around new people and animals. He seems to somewhat adjust to friends and family after repeated exposure but nips new people, especially men. He’s very protective of me. He has never bitten anyone or any dog that caused a break in the skin or required medical treatment. The nipping is mostly feet and ankles. I have another dog and they’re pretty good together. But he will nip at my other dog’s ears. He does a “scream bark” when he’s really scared.

I’ve made the difficult decision to rehome him because I don’t think he is thriving in this environment. He isn’t “working” and active in the way he needs. He needs a lot of physical and intellectual stimulation that I can’t give him in my small house and while I work full time. I love to have large groups of people and dogs over to my house and he doesn’t do well with large crowds and I hate having to keep him in a room. I also have to board him when I go on trips because I don’t have anyone that would be willing to stay with both of my dogs nor am I able to have both dogs stay at someone’s house that already has dogs. I don’t like having to board my dogs and I feel limited in my current lifestyle.

He would thrive in an environment where he has a ton of space (like a farm or large plot of land), where he can work (e.g., herding livestock), where there are fewer adults (maybe only two adult owners), and no kids. He can be so sweet and goofy with me but we are no longer thriving well together. I love Cooper and I want him to have his best life and be happy. Please help me find him his best, forever home!

I would love to meet virtually so I can evaluate his potential new home. I want to make sure his new owner is set up for success and both will be happy. I am willing to transport him wherever he needs to go if it means he will be happy. I don’t ask for an adoption or donation fee.

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Email lblaurenblack@gmail.com