Rex

My story

Rex is a 3 1/2-year-old Beagle/Australian Shepherd mix who is ready to find his forever home. Rex forms deep bonds with his person and is incredibly loving once he feels safe and comfortable. He isn’t the kind of dog for everyone—but for the right person and in the right environment, he will be a very loyal and devoted companion. Rex needs to be with an experienced human, preferably with some experience with herding breeds. This is not a beginner dog. He needs someone committed to providing structure, ongoing training and both mental and physical motivation. He needs an adult-only, pet-free home where he is the sole focus, and his boundaries are consistently understood and respected. Experience handling resource guarding would be helpful. Rex needs time to build trust with his human. His forever family will need to be dog savvy, understanding the importance of respecting his boundaries and recognizing the subtle cues a dog gives when it's uncomfortable, to avoid pushing him beyond his comfort level. Rex appreciates having his personal space honored, especially when resting, so it's imperative that he is the one who approaches for affection, not the other way around. The reward for your restraint is that when he comes to you, it's because he truly wants that connection. He needs a home where he is allowed to settle in at his own pace and where the humans possess the self-control to let Rex truly learn to trust - even if it takes months or years. His people must understand that they can't let their guard down after a couple of weeks. His affection and approach don’t mean you're in the clear. It means he's starting to trust. A pattern of slow, clear, consistent interactions with him combined with structure and predictability will help the trust grow and strengthen. We believe that with an owner who is serious about building a relationship with him, he will be able to trust and will be a great dog. He's done very well with a foster who has worked with him in this way, so we know he's capable.

If you have any questions or would like to adopt Rex, please reach out to the adoption group directly. PetSmart Charities does not facilitate the adoption process. Thank you.