Harley - Shepherd and Mixed Breed Dog for Adoption in Alma, Wisconsin

Meet Harley - The Lovable, Leggy Goofball Who Is Still Figuring Out Where His Feet Are

Harley is all legs, all puppy, and all enthusiasm.

He's affectionate, playful, smart, athletic, and wonderfully goofy. Harley loves people, loves other dogs, and approaches life with the kind of excitement you'd expect from a puppy who hasn't quite realized how big he's getting.

Sometimes his legs move a little faster than the rest of him.

His foster says Harley will get going so fast that he actually trips over himself.

Harley Loves:

-Running
-Fetch
-Tug
-Sniffing and exploring
-Playing with toys
-Chewing bones
-Treat puzzles and enrichment
-Meeting new people
-Playing with other dogs
-Zoomies
-Learning new things
-Getting attention
-Being involved in whatever is happening

Harley's Favorite Thing:

Anything that involves moving, playing, or making a new friend.

Harley is immediately friendly and wants attention from everyone.

He's enthusiastic about people, dogs, toys, and pretty much anything that looks like it might become fun.

He especially enjoys playing with the resident dog in his foster home. But Harley doesn't require another dog to entertain him. If she isn't interested in playing, he's perfectly content grabbing a toy and entertaining himself.

That's a pretty great quality for a young dog.

He's Got a Lot of Puppy in Him

Harley currently has plenty of energy, although as he matures, he's expected to settle into more of a medium-energy adult.

Right now?

He's still very much a puppy.

Harley doesn't always realize how big he is, and his enthusiasm can occasionally get ahead of his manners. His foster is working on teaching him to slow things down because when Harley gets excited, there's a lot of dog moving at once.

He's good with children, but his size and puppy exuberance are worth considering with smaller kids. He could easily knock a little one over accidentally while enthusiastically trying to join the fun.

There's no bad intention behind it.

Harley just hasn't completely figured out the brakes yet.

Smart & Eager to Learn

Harley isn't just goofy-he's very smart.

He's already learned:

Sit
Down
Stay
Crate
Lay down

He's crate trained and has little to no potty accidents when kept on a consistent routine and schedule.

Harley is both food and toy motivated, giving his family excellent tools for continuing his training.

His leash manners still need work. He pulls and wants to greet every person and dog he sees, so polite leash walking and impulse control should remain part of his training.

One Important Safety Note

Harley can slip out of a leash or harness if he isn't properly secured.

His future family will need to make sure his walking equipment fits correctly and remain diligent about securing him whenever he's outside.

With an adventurous, curious puppy like Harley, this is one area where management really matters.

Dogs, Cats & Kids

Harley loves other dogs.

He enjoys playing with canine friends but can also entertain himself when another dog isn't interested.

He coexists well with cats and is good with children.

Because he's a big, enthusiastic puppy who doesn't always recognize his own size, families with smaller children should be prepared to supervise interactions and continue teaching Harley calmer greetings and body awareness.

A Few Things to Know:

-Still very much a puppy
-Currently high energy but likely medium energy as he matures
-Little to no potty accidents with a consistent routine
-Crate trained
-Smart and quick to learn
-Knows several commands
-Food motivated
motivated
-Leash skills need continued practice
-Pulls on leash
-Jumps when excited
-Wants to greet everyone
-Can slip a leash or harness if not properly secured
-Loves other dogs
-Coexists well with cats
-Good with children
-May accidentally knock over smaller children when excited
-Enjoys outings and is gaining experience
-Happy to play independently when another dog isn't interested
-Athletic, affectionate, and extremely goofy
-Occasionally moves faster than his legs can manage

Great Activities for Harley:

-Hiking and adventures
-Running
-Fetch
-Tug
-Playing with dog friends
-Sniffing adventures
sessions
-Treat puzzles
-Toy games
-Outdoor exploration
-Zoomies
-Family activities
-Continued leash training
-Anything that helps a young, athletic dog use both his brain and his body

Best Match:

-First-time dog owners prepared for an enthusiastic puppy
-Active or outdoorsy households
-Families
-Homes with other dogs
-Homes with cats
-Someone interested in continuing his training
-A family that can provide regular physical and mental activity
-Someone committed to secure leash and harness management
-A home that appreciates a big puppy who hasn't completely figured out his own dimensions yet

Three Words That Describe Harley Best:

Active
Loving
Goofy

Foster Location:

Rushford, MN

Meet & Greet Availability:
Harley's foster is happy to meet approved adopters within approximately 30 minutes of Rushford, MN.

Harley's previous history wasn't provided, but what he's showing us in foster care is a young dog with a tremendous amount of potential.

He's smart enough to already have several commands under his belt, social enough to love people and dogs, independent enough to entertain himself with a toy, and goofy enough to keep his future family laughing.

Harley still has puppy manners to polish. He needs continued leash work, help learning to slow down when he's excited, and a family that understands that sometimes those very long legs are going to get ahead of him.

But underneath all that puppy enthusiasm is an affectionate, happy dog who is eager to learn and ready to be someone's adventure buddy.

Harley may eventually grow into those legs. Until then, he's going to have a lot of fun trying.

Ready to meet Harley? Visit www.tailsofhopewi.org to submit an application.

Please note: Donations made through the SPONSOR ME tab on PetFinder do not go to Tails of Hope-WI and do not benefit the rescue. If you would like to support Harley or Tails of Hope-WI, please donate directly through our website or official fundraising channels.

The mixed breed dogs, often referred to as mutts, are a diverse and unique group with a blend of different characteristics from various purebred dog breeds. These dogs come from a mixture of lineages, resulting in a wide range of sizes, coat types, and temperaments. While each mixed breed dog is distinct in its own right, they are known for their resilience, adaptability, and often have fewer health issues compared to purebred dogs due to their genetic diversity. Mixed breed dogs make wonderful companions for families looking for a loyal and one-of-a-kind pet.

The shepherd dog breed encompasses a versatile group known for their intelligence, loyalty, and strong work ethic. With a heritage deeply rooted in herding and protecting livestock, shepherds excel at various tasks ranging from obedience and agility competitions to search and rescue missions. Their protective nature makes them excellent family pets, offering unwavering devotion and a natural instinct to watch over and care for their loved ones. In addition to their remarkable abilities, shepherds are often characterized by their distinctive appearance, including a sturdy build, alert expression, and a signature double coat that provides insulation and protection in various climates.