If interested in adopting, read about our Adoption Process and complete an Adoption Application on the Mo-Kan website.  A Mo-Kan application must be filled out to begin the process.
 

Coda

- Special Needs
- Standard above ground fence required
- Experience with herding breeds and/or special needs dogs preferred
- Strong interest in training preferred

Coda is a 15-18 month old male Australian Shepherd.  He found himself in need of rescue when his owner moved and left him with roommates.  Coda is a sweet but not overly needy boy.  Coda has a medium energy level.  He loves toys of all kinds and will fetch and tug but also entertain himself (and you) by tossing them around himself or flopping playfully on the couch rearranging the blankets.  He also enjoys stuffed Kongs and rawhide strips to chew on. Coda would happily sleep in the bed with but also is fine with a dog bed. 

Coda is great with other dogs and does not bother cats or livestock.  He is fully housebroken and easy to have around.  He has generally good house manners and does not get into things (although we have a pretty dog proof house!) and is not destructive. 

Coda is also deaf and has some separation anxiety and can be a little overstimulated at times.  Being deaf does not bother Coda at all and he is quickly learning hand signals and body language.  He is taking medication to help with his anxiety as well as working hard on desensitization. Coda has come a long way in his ability to be calm and quiet in a crate.  We only crate him occasionally and do fun crate games or very short crating sessions with treats in between so crating remains a positive experience.  He will also run to a crate for his dinner and hop right in to eat!  It will be important to continue with this program. When we leave the house Coda is loose in a large room and is now comfortable and generally quiet in his “area.” At night he sleeps loose in the bedroom with his foster family and other dogs.  

He has also been working hard on learning to remain calm and exercise self control when something excites him while outside or on a walk (passing cars, dogs in the next yard) and is doing well but will need more work on this so that he is well behaved and enjoyable to take for walks and in public.  He is also learning not to pull on the leash. He will also need continued work on things like baths and riding in the car. 

Coda would love a home with another dog to play with and to give him confidence when going out in the yard without his person but would also do fine in the right home without another dog.  He would be fine with older kids but very young kids might accidentally startle him awake so might not be the best fit.  Coda would benefit from things like scent work or agility that build confidence and independence.  He is a smart boy and does well with routines and structure. He is very ready to find his new best friend and would be great dog for someone who enjoys both casual training and dog sports. 

At this time we are not considering apartments or multi unit housing as setbacks in anxiety and training should be expected with a new environment and barking when left along could be disruptive to neighbors. 

Coda is being fostered in the Springfield, MO area.

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