RYDER

Ryder (ADOPTED!) is an Australian Cattle Dog mix, with a super sweet, friendly, happy personality. He is approximately 1.5 years old, weighs 50 lbs. and is just a big puppy! He would love at least one other dog friend to play with.

In the short time that we have had him, Ryder has demonstrated that he has a very social, well rounded guy. There is not a mean bone in his body. He has the velcro nature of a cattle dog, who wants to belong to a family/pack, and to have a human to bond and hang out with. He has the energy to run and play during the day, but he is also often content to be inside, relaxing near his person. Ryder is excellent with all people, but if given a choice seems to gravitate more to a man.

Ryder seems to be a medium energy dog, which is unusual for a young herding dog. He seems to be content with a 10-15 minute session of active play, a few times a day. As a young dog, he does still need some blood pumping exercise each day. Sometimes after running around outside, it takes a few minutes for him to settle down, and he may pester you to play with him.

Ryder doesn’t realize how big he is, and still thinks he’s a small puppy. He seems to feel the sofa is for playing and wrestling with his people. He will hop up to join you on the sofa and try to get you to wrestle with him. If you tell him no, he tries to settle down, but after a few minutes may become a squirmy little kid again. He often wants to climb in your lap, but will settle for cuddling and placing his head on your lap. When petting him, he’ll roll over for you to pet his belly. Ryder is just a silly guy who has the best intentions. He has not yet shown us any herding tendencies. He is not mouthy.

He is a great dog, who very attentive and responsive to people, and he very is eager to please. His only issues are easily addressed and are not his fault. People in his past never worked to teach him anything. Ryder needs to learn basic manners, boundaries, and obedience commands. These can easily be learned with consistent guidance and training practice. Although Ryder was never given any structure or training, by nature he seems to be well behaved and quiet when in the house, especially when someone is home. Once he knows that he is not being abandoned and understands the routines of a home, he seems fine if left alone for a few hours. Ryder seems to be crate trained. If in a crate or dog pen, out of sight of humans, he will lie down quietly. Currently, he sleeps quietly all night in his crate.

In our first few days with Ryder, when meeting people, his habit was to leap up in the air and jump on people in a joyful greeting. HIs foster mom began working with him and after 2-days he has almost stopped jumping up. He now approaches wagging his tail to greet people. He learned to go into a crate at bedtime after one night, and he is beginning to learn basic house manners, and how to sit on command. Ryder is big on checking in often and making eye contact with with people, and is good at coming when called. He If he understands what you want, he will try to do it.

Ryder rides well in a car. Initially, he needed to be secured in the car, because he was nervous and tried to wander between seats. After each successive ride, he became calmer, and now quietly sits and looks out the window to see the sights.

Our boy walks very nicely on leash and does not pull. He appears to be housebroken, and definitely knows how to use a dog door. He will let you know when he wants to go out, by going to the door, and turning around to catch your eye, to signal that he wants out. However, his movements must be watched and managed during the first day or two in a new home, in case he tries to mark, especially if he detects the smell of another male dog. He was neutered on Nov. 23, 2021, and it may take a few months for his marking behavior to diminish.

Ryder is very puppy-like. He loves to play with all dogs, both male and female, and exhibits good body language with them. Ryder is the best natured, most even tempered dog. He is eager to meet other dogs, and takes corrections from them very well. He remains polite with other dogs when they growl or try to nip at him, and will back off and playfully run away from them to avoid confrontation. Here is a video of Ryder playing with his foster sister & at the end she growls at him: https://youtu.be/KAW5-hHaITY  He is also a very quiet guy, and doesn’t bark or whine at all. We have not yet seen Ryder around cats or children.

He doesn’t seem to know much about dog toys, although he is learning by observing his canine foster sister. He enjoys chew treats, such as bully sticks. Ryder only chews what he is given, and is not destructive and does not chew on anything inappropriate. He has not shown any guarding behavior at all.

Ryder is an all around great dog, who possesses a wonderful nature and excellent personality traits that cannot be taught. However, he is not a turn-key dog. He needs people who understand the work and time involved to teach him manners, boundaries, and  basic obedience commands. We are seeking adopters for Ryder who are willing to work with him to enable him reach his full potential.

Potential adopters must be willing to have an adoption transition process to allow him to make the mental transition to new people and a new situation. Potential adopters must live within a 1-2 hour drive to the Petaluma-Santa Rosa, CA, area.

If you have questions or are interested in meeting Ryder, please email us at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or leave a message at (707) 583-9583. Completing an adoption form, is the first step to meeting him.