Norwegian Elkhound Rescue - Looking for a Home

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Simon

Simon is a neutered male elkhound mix about 2 years old. He has been in foster with 2 elkhound females and a cat and done well with them. Simon met a 6 yr old child and was very afraid of her. Where ever she was, he would make the largest possible detour to avoid her. Fortunately, he likes his crate as a refuge zone and immediately made for it whenever he saw her. If she approached the crate (even a room away), he would bark and cower and shake with fear. He needs an adult only home where he can overcome whatever scared him in his past. When he first came in to rescue, he tested positive for Erlichia, which has been treated. Below is the description from his foster mom:

Simon is a small elkie mix, about 18 inches tall, weighing under 40 lbs. He is mostly brown and black with a bobbed tail. Even if his tail is short, he has the happiest wag of any dog I’ve met!

He loves gentle strokes, chin scratches, playing with toys, and just chewing on bones or antlers. He is very polite about asking to go out, does a “happy dance” for his dinner (see photo above). He has a sensitive tummy so he gets lots of pumpkin to soothe it [when he gets his preventatives or medication]. He passed meeting my friends [adults] with flying colors, very gentle, not afraid when they arrived. He responds to verbal correction and seems to know more than he shows for his estimated age of 2 years. He is comfortable in a crate, walks well on a leash although he's not crazy about any halters, collars or leashes. Once he's hooked up, he's fine. He is hesitant about getting in cars but rides well once he’s in a car. He would love to sleep on a bed with his people, or lay on a couch with his friends. He is attentive around food but hasn’t shown any food related aggression towards humans or dogs. He is not food motivated to train for behaviors, but that may be a trust issue that is resolved with time.

If you would like a wonderful, happy sweet boy, please consider having Simon join your family. He will be glad to be with you and show you his engaging grin and play bow. Please click here to submit an application to adopt and mention Simon when you do. He'd love to meet you!

Max

Max (born 7/30/2017) entered rescue with his younger female companion, Nadia (see below) as a result of their owner experiencing health issues. Max is neutered, heartworm negative, and up to date on all vaccinations. As is expected for their age, they are very bonded and cue on each other. They are high energy and sweet as can be. They love cuddling with their humans. They play together wildly, wrestling and chasing, but have good boundaries with each other. Neither appears to have resource guarding issues, and a favorite game is playing chase with their toys. Both will benefit from more training and socialization with both dogs and humans.

Max adores walks, and can be very busy on the lead, but after a bit, redirects and settles down. Firm control of the lead is necessary since recall is a foreign subject to him. If he gets loose, he will run with abandon. He is all energy and forward in personality. A fenced yard is a must. When playing with Nadia in full chase mode, he may forget humans are not part of the game and get mouthy or jump all over them. He still is in the ankle-nipping, shoe-chasing stage when his human moves fast although that is improving. Max does not chew household objects or furniture and loves to play soccer with a rubber Kong ball. He tends to learn more quickly when not distracted by other dogs. He knows sit and shake and loves to get your attention when he is sitting pretty. He also loves tummy rubs.

Max has lived in a household with cats. The former owner said Max had an understanding with their cats that was largely based on them being able to get somewhere else. He wanted to chase and play rough.

Max would probably do well as an only dog or with a female companion. He tends to try to be the "man" in charge but is starting to learn that other male dogs might already have that position. If you think Max (or Max and Nadia) would be a great addition to your home, please click here to submit an application to adopt.

Nadia

Nadia (born 11/23/2017) entered rescue with her slightly older male companion, Max, as a result of their owner experiencing health issues. She is spayed, heartworm negative and up to date on vaccinations. As is expected for their age, they are very bonded and cue on each other. Nadia is the more submissive and tentative one. Once she trusts you, she is a cuddle-bug. She likes to nap on the couch next to you after she runs off some of her excess energy. She and Max play wildly, wrestling and chasing, but have good boundaries with each other. Neither appears to have resource guarding issues, and a favorite game is playing chase with their toys. Nadia's favorite is a moose stuffy and she loves a good tug o’ war. Both she and Max will benefit from more training and socialization with both dogs and humans.

Nadia was said to be good with cats. She doesn't chew household objects or furniture and prefers antlers or bones. She does not like being put on lead and will run from the lead, but once on and going on a walk is well-behaved and enjoys the walk. She has met new people and dogs on lead and was appropriate. She is very vocal, but submissive. Firm control on the lead is needed since she has no idea of recall.

Nadia has a straightened tail due to old, fused fractures. She has problems with anxiety and submission urination. She is getting better as she learns to trust her humans and benefits from a strict housebreaking routine. Early in a new relationship, she will be very tentative in approaching, and may bolt. After developing trust, she becomes your shadow. Her energetic excitement when you come home and greet her may result in potty accidents, but that should improve as she matures.

She is a kisser and love tummy rubs. She knows sit and shake. Nadia would probably be fine if separated from Max although she would benefit from another, more mature canine companion. If your home would be the right one for Nadia (or Nadia and Max), please click here to fill out an application to adopt.