Meet Merlin

Quick facts

Age

6 years

Breed

Great Dane x Staghound

Location

Currimundi, Sunshine Coast

Health

Desexed, microchipped and vaccinated

Kids and babies

Great

Other dogs

Loves them especially Jack Russells

Cats

Cat-free home best

Visitors

Friendly

On lead

Walks nicely, no pulling

In the car

Travels well

Energy

Zoomies, then crash on the couch

Needs

Someone home most of the day

Comes with

All his gear, plus a $100 Petbarn voucher

His personality

Merlin is a happy dog who loves to be involved. Whatever you are doing, he will be right next to you. He never wants to be on his own.

His favourite thing in the world is zoomies. He runs as fast as he can, and he is fast. He will fetch and chase balls and sticks, but he is not obsessed with them.

And yes, people always ask: he doesn't fart.

What he loves

• The beach, especially a good gallop along the sand and jumping through the waves
• Swimming
• Dog parks. He lives next door to one and is a regular there.
• Walks
• Tug of war and fetch with his tug toy
• Having his own teddy (or several)

People and other animals

Kids and babies: he lives with our two young kids and loves them. He is very gentle, though he'll happily go in for a face lick. Older kids can tell him "no" and he listens, but toddlers will likely get cuddled up to for a smooch. As with any large dog, we recommend supervision around small children.

Visitors: he barks when someone knocks, then lets them in and is excited to see them and get pats.

Out and about: people always stop us in the street to ask what breed he is, or to tell us he looks amazing.

Other dogs: he is friendly and social with other dogs, and has a soft spot for Jack Russells. If an over-excited dog is coming towards him from a distance on a walk, he may keep an eye on it and give a single bark, then settle. He can live with another dog, but he doesn't need one. He is happy as an only dog, and easier to manage that way.

Cats: he hasn't lived with cats. He tends to bark at them because he is unsure what they are, so a cat-free home is best.

Living with him

• Inside: he sleeps inside and has his own couch downstairs. He used to be allowed on beds, but he has learned not to get on them.
• Exercise: he is a "zoomies then crash" dog, not an endurance type. He needs a proper run every couple of days, somewhere he can really open up and gallop, like the beach or a fenced dog park. Then he's happy to snooze on the couch.
• Walks: he walks really well on a lead and isn't a puller. He's used to regular walks next to a pram and young kids. He currently wears a Halti head collar for extra control while we juggle everyone.
• Commands: drop, shake, spin, back up, legs, left (moves to your left on walks), come and "go to your bed". His recall is pretty good, though he does have his own sass.
• Bath time: he is happy to stand on lead to be hosed off. We bath him regularly in summer to help prevent skin irritation.
• Food: dry food. We recommend you keep him on the same food, because it helps with a skin allergy he sometimes gets from grass in summer.
• Car: happy in the boot or the back seat. He just lies down, even in a small boot.

His separation anxiety

We want to be completely honest about this, because it is the most important thing to get right for him.

When Merlin is left alone, he paces, lies down and howls, or barks. He does not destroy anything.

We follow Julie Naismith's separation anxiety training method. It builds up time alone in small steps, so each absence gets a little longer without stressing him. There is a great Facebook support group and a step by step guide for the process.

The training works well, but it needs a lot of repetition. With two young kids and work, we can't give him the consistency he needs. In a home where someone is around most of the day, and can do lots of short practice sessions each day, he can keep building his confidence.

Medication

Merlin was not on any medication for most of his life. He started 12 months ago, on our vet's advice, to try to help him cope with being left for longer, so we could go to work or take the kids out together.

He is now on the highest doses our vet recommends of three medications:

• Trazodone
• Gabapentin
• Fluoxetine (the same drug as Prozac)

His new family will need to continue his medication and training, with their own vet.

What comes with him

Merlin comes with everything he needs. We are also giving his new family a $100 Petbarn voucher to spend on treats to welcome him to his new home.

His story

We have had Merlin since he was a puppy. He came from a farm that wanted to use him for pig hunting, but they didn't want him. He would never have been a good pig dog. He is far too gentle and loving.

Sadly, due to a change in family circumstances, we've made the heartbreaking decision to find him a new forever home. We want him to go to a home that can give him the time and company he needs.

His perfect home

• Someone home most of the day, for example working from home or retired. A full-time job away from home won't suit him.
• Someone willing to do lots of short practice sessions each day to build his confidence at home
• Previous dog ownership and training experience. Experience with separation anxiety is strongly preferred.
• Happy to continue his medication and separation anxiety training
• He would suit a home with kids and/or other dogs. Another dog is fine, but not needed.
• A cat-free home
• He sleeps inside with the family
• A secure, fully fenced yard with room for zoomies
• Bonus points for beach trips and dog parks