Leo - Australian Shepherd Dog for Adoption in Elburn, Illinois

Meet Leo

Leo: deserves a special home...a forever home...a home that will allow Leo to feel safe in his home.

Important things to know before we dive into the nitty gritty.

1. age - 15 months

2. gender - male

3. weight - approximately 40 lbs - a nice size - small enough to easily pick up and yet big enough to leap into a car

4. eye color - both eyes - black pupil surrounded by a narrow dark blue band surrounded by a wide sky blue band
(stunning & mesmerizing)

5. coat - soft & luxurious - doesnt shed a lot

6. neutered- Yes

7. health - Excellent - vaccinations - up to date including rabies

8. microchipped

9. allergies - none known

10. appetite- excellent - seems to eat & tolerate beef/chicken/fish etc with no issues

11. house broken - yes

12. good with dogs - yes

13. quiet - yes

14. good in house - yes

15. good in car - yes

16. good on leash - yes

17. dominant dog - no - Leo has a great nature and gets along with all dogs -including dominant dogs

18. loves to play - most definitely

19. enjoys being with his people - yes - where you are - is where he wants to be.

20. breeds - Catahoula hound & we dont know - could be Aussie or some other shepherd

21. able to be crated - does not like - most likely a crate was used as punishment in his previous 12 months

Nitty Gritty:

Leo arrived at Safe Haven shell shocked. Doing so poorly the short time he was in the shelter we quickly pulled him up here from TN. He arrived a dog who simply wanted to find a hole and crawl in. Where ever he was he did not want to move from -he feared the unknown. What trauma Leo suffered or witnessed -we do not know, but he was clearly traumatized. One photo here is from the day Leo arrived at SH & just had a bath. There is a dog under that towel and that is the pose of a very frightened dog who had given up with no hope. Leo was in bad mental shape - his fosters three dogs (themselves former SH dogs) immediately sensed that their usual routines for drawing out withdrawn dogs would not work with Leo. They have seen lots of foster dogs over the years and they work tirelessly to engage with them - to get them to play & respond - to make them feel at home". Leo did not respond - at all. When taken outside -he simply sat where he had been brought. It was pitiful - it was sad - but it was not without hope. Leo was not aggressive - he didnt lash out and try to bite any one - he just wanted to be left alone - he had zero hope of a better day. But we knew what Leo didnt know - his days because of SH would from now on get better & better. His past bad days & bad humans - were just that - in the past. And we know Leos real forever people are out there.

So lets talk about Leo:

We were going to go at Leos pace. Leo would decide how far he would go & do every day. Wherever Leo was - his meals would be served to him there and the door to the room closed so he could eat in peace without fear of someone stealing his dinner. Over a period of weeks Leo made small incremental progress steps. Every small victory was celebrated. It was obvious - Leo was one bright dog. He quickly caught on to the daily routines of the household. He knew where the door was to get to the backyard & caught on to go to the door and indicate when he needed to potty in the yard. It should be stated that not once in the long journey from scared frightened shell shocked dog has Leo EVER had an accident in the house nor has he had any stomach distress. Every day was a cumulative step building on the previous steps & they started coming faster and faster. Leo rapidly started engaging with the other 3 dogs - a 110 lb Super Alpha male a GSH/B&T Coonhound mix, a 60 lb female Ausie/Catahoula Leopard Hound mix that like most Aussies is a bit bossy & an old small curmudgeon (doppleganger for Benji of movie fame) who doesnt always want to play. Leo - gets along incredibly well with all of them. He has the ability to adjust to the temperament of all dogs. Leo loved chasing and being chased, learned the art of fake face biting (a game my guys love and I still dont understand), of how to annoy your opponent by sticking a paw on his forehead etc. And I knew we made a huge leap forward when Leo started initiating the play himself. Leo moved from sleeping in a dog bed at the foot of the master bed in the bedroom to sneaking up on the bed in the middle of the night and finding an inconspicuous out of the way spot to sleep. We allowed it as Leo was finally getting comfortable with people. Up until this time Leo did not respond to touching and would look away if looked at. He just would not make eye contact.

To shorten this up - it has taken 3 months - and Leo is a transformed dog. He still sleeps on the bed except by the time you wake up he will have made it all the way to your pillow and when you wake up he is staring at you adoringly. Leo no longer looks away when looked at. Leo cant get enough goofing around time with the other dogs in the household or the humans. Leo is now unequivocally an outstanding dog. I believe he will always be a sensitive soul and he would will excel in a household where people dont yell at each other or in general. Leo is good on a leash & has been walked with another dog. Leo doesnt pull on the leash. Leo is not a barker - at all. In fact the only time Ive heard any noise out of him is occasionally when he is having an epic goofing around match with the resident Aussie. Leo does well in the car. He now willing jumps in - instead of fearing that he is being taken somewhere bad. I think he is still getting use to car travel as he seems to mainly lie down vs sitting up, but he doesnt have any stomach upset - he just rides quietly. I do put all my dogs in harnesses and clip them into the car in the event of an accident they wont get thrown from the car nor risk breaking a neck from clipping them into via a collar. He looks to be petted now. He comes running to the door when you come home & is thrilled to see you - and that honestly is a great feeling to see how happy he is to see you. Leo eats well and as excellent bowl movements. I dont think he has ever had any diarrhea. Leo enjoys sitting next to you and he will watch hockey on TV & has been watching the World Cup Soccer matches here with the resident canines.

Heres what I feel Leos best home needs:

At least one buddy dog for Leo - more than 1 - even better. If you have an older dog that youd like to see stay active - Leo would be a good fit. Have a young dog that needs a buddy to burn energy with - again Leo would be a great match.

A fenced in yard - Leo loves to run around and while he doesnt seem to have any prey drive - but he does love investigating what is going on. I also think any sudden loud noises might spook him and without a fence he could like a lot of dogs run to escape the sound. I will say that Leo excels when I call him that it is time to come in - he comes running immediately vs my own crew and their "selective hearing.

Leo is a dog who you are going to have to let him adjust to you and your home. This will be a big transition from the foster home he has come to know and the 3 dogs he has had in his life for 3 months. So when you adopt him you cant immediately go on the "come see my new dog tour". Meeting lots of new faces and places in rapid fashion would most likely set Leo back significantly. Honestly, its not ideal for any rescue dog. We realize everybody wants to see & meet the newest member of your family - but for most dogs (and most definitely in Leos case) it would be best to allow a full 30 days or more for Leo to become fully accustomed to you (& trust you) and his new environment your home. If you allow Leo to go at his pace - I know you will have an absolutely fabulous companion and family member for life. If you give him the time to adjust - Leo will love you forever and a day.

For an application or additional information, please email adopt@safehavendogsIL.org

Our standard adoption fee is $465. We offer a $15 discount for adopters who pay by cash or check, making the adoption fee $450.

The adoption fee includes spay/neuter when age appropriate at one of our participating veterinarians, age-appropriate core vaccinations, fecal test, deworming, current on flea and tick preventative, and microchip.

To ensure the best match for both our dogs and adopters, we require a fully completed adoption application, a phone interview, and a meet-and-greet with the entire household. Applications will not be reviewed unless fully completed.

Submitting an application does not guarantee adoption and does not obligate you to adopt; it simply allows us to begin the review process.

To request an application or for additional details, please email adopt@safehavendogsIL.org

Please note that the breeds and sizes posted in this biography are educated best guesses and are not guaranteed.

The Australian Shepherd is a highly intelligent and energetic herding dog known for its loyalty and work ethic. Originating in the United States, despite its name, this breed is prized for its agility, trainability, and versatility in various dog sports and activities. Australian Shepherds have a distinctive medium length coat that comes in different colors, often with unique merle patterns. With proper training, socialization, and exercise, these dogs make excellent companions for active families and individuals seeking a devoted and playful four legged friend.

Safe Haven Dog Rescue was created by volunteers to rescue, rehabilitate, and find loving homes for homeless dogs and puppies....