Adopt a Great Dane / American Pit Bull Terrier / Mixed (short coat)

Meet Bernie!  Bernie was a sad case who was a confiscate at Animal Care & Services.  Apparently he was abandoned by his owners, at their rented property, and the property owner found him, and then took him to IACS, where he languished for three months until being rescued!  Bernie was not a candidate for the adoption floor, due to his hip dysplasia.

Bernie has a lot of energy, and not much training, so he would do best in a home with older children, who are comfortable with larger dogs, due to his activity level.  Bernie is a quick learner, and has been coming along quite nicely.  Since being in his new home for two months, he has learned to get along with two out of three cats.  We believe, based on his initial behavior, that he had never been around cats before!  He is also buddies with two older foster dog siblings, who are near his size; one male and one female.  He has not had a problem, with either of them.  They all know their place, in the kitchen, when eating, being near toys, and other resources.  Because of his strength, he uses a Gentle Leader when walking, which he does great with.  Bernie has learned Stay, Watch Me, Paw, Say Hi, and Take.  I do not make him Sit, due to his hips.

Bernie definitely has herding tendencies, so we have been working on him keeping those in check, as he loves nothing better than to come up behind me, and use his mouth and nose to get my attention and even to try and direct me.  Especially play!  Bernie only has one bark, at one volume.  This includes getting attention, playing, telling me he needs to go out, etc., so special attention has to be given to his body language, i.e. tail wag, ear placement, mouth position, eye stare, etc.  When playing, he will heel nip, as part of play!  Because of this, training is highly recommended.  He is very attached and lovable; not ever intending to hurt, but I believe he sometimes doesn't realize his own actions, due to his innate instincts.  If he is uncomfortable with someone, say initial meeting with a vet, then with little warning, he will react, if uncomfortable, but once he becomes comfortable and accepting, he is fine, so attention must kept on him, in new and scary situations, i.e. vet visits.  So far, he appears more accepting of woman versus men.

Bernie was born with congenital defects in the hips, so he walks a bit funny, especially when going up and down stairs, but he doesn't let it slow him down!  We are currently having him do a variety of exercises, to work on his core, to better strengthen and support his hips, as surgery really isn't an option.