Critter Details

Maverik arrived about a week ago, and we're delighted to be part of his path from being rescued to a forever family. He's a calm, snuggly three-month-old pup living in a household with two resident dogs, an indoor cat, and an indoor/outdoor cat, both dog-savvy. A gorgeous bi-color boy with a wee bit of something else sprinkled in based on those fuzzy ears, Maverik likes being next to his people in shepherd fashion. He is a collector of all toys and makes sure no toys are left outside. A laid-back boy with occasional puppy zoomies loves toys that squeak; you'll usually find him on a dog bed with a toy passing the time. Maverik has graduated from needing his crate next to his foster family's bed to the hallway and finally out to the living room where crates typically reside in their household. Finally, he views his crate as a positive space, as he observes how comfortable the resident dogs are with their crates, and he joins them by self-crating, too. Although laid back, Maverik is an alert puppy tracking all the happenings outside the house. He has a high-pitched puppy bark when he needs to be alert. Maverik is a playful pup who adores toys and is well-versed in the art of dog beds. He's a loyal companion, always by your side in true shepherd fashion. Daily vacuuming is typical in a household with multiple pets, and Maverik is comfortable around the vacuum cleaner. He's social, having met neighbors and their grandkids, and gets along well with everyone. Maverik has learned his name and responds when called, adding to playtime fun. In the heatwave, he prefers shade to avoid direct sun on his black coat. He has the potty outside concept with a few accidents when deep in play and knows how to navigate the doggie door. This little guy is learning to sit with a lovely sit before meals. He eats two meals with a snack mid-day and has grown by leaps and bounds. Maverick adores belly rubs and cuddles. His morning and evening meals have scrambled eggs and veggies added to his kibble to gloss his coat and give him a boost. He also enjoys carrots as snacks.He already has good leash manners and sticks to sun-exposed concrete surfaces in the cooler times of the day to develop those skills. Water isn't Maverick's thing now; he's happy to go into the kiddie pool to retrieve toys but not interested in splashing or lying in the water. He's easy with the resident dogs, who like him, and the cats are trying to figure him out while he's learning to leave the cats alone. We adore his coloring and temperament.Maverik is a quick learner who is treat and food-motivated. His occasional snarkiness about food has declined as he has learned that there is plenty of food to go around. He's a thriving boy at 28 lbs now. Forever families interested in Maverik ought to have either shepherd or similar breed experience raising puppies since raising a well-balanced neutral shepherd is a lifetime commitment.  Consistency, training, and structure help raise neutral adult dogs. If that's you, please click the adopt button so we can connect. As a foster-based rescue, ShepHeroes is always in need of fosters. An overwhelming number of shepherds in our local shelters need our help for a fresh start. Would you be willing to share your home and part of your summer to help shepherds find new families? You provide the love, and we'll provide everything else! Saying "yes" today truly saves a life. Complete this  https://www.shepheroes.org/foster-form, and we'll be in touch ASAP! We appreciate your consideration.