ACHILLES

Introducing the pup with the love to give.
Achilles the big, beautiful love bug. I would keep this boy in a minute, but the littles freak out about big black dogs, so he’s on offer for your consideration.

 Achilles: Adopted 14-Apr-2024

Achilles came in as an owner surrender, and is retired from a life as a chain dog.
He is neutered and up to date on his shots and is a very happy, very sweet, very big puppy. You can try to tell him he’s a big dog, but he’s just going to respond that he identifies as a puppy; Thank you. (below is a Facebook video of Achilles interacting with the "Eight Is Enough" litter)

In truth he is a young 5 years old. Achilles really enjoys going for long walks, and likes car rides and is surprisingly well behaved. He’s good with his food and feeding, he doesn’t toss a water dish around, but we have not found a bed which lasts more than a couple of hours with him.
His only real vice is he enjoys howling, like he thinks he’s a husky (but he’s not) and I mean he’s really melodic about it, and genuinely seems to enjoy singing. So wherever he lands, you should be good with listening to opera, and enjoy being serenaded.
Achilles is an amazing house pet. He’s very sweet and completely not aggressive, but then he doesn’t need to be; He is huge. 80 lbs of fluff range of huge, and best suited to an owner who knows big dog rules. Given the choice Achilles prefers the company of women over men, but whoever has a hand willing to pet him is definitely his favorite human. If you bring him a pizzle and hold it for him while he kills it, you’ll be his favorite for at least an hour.

Achilles may need to be tested for food allergies, but otherwise nothing interesting to report with him health wise. Coat is good, eyes are good, tummy is good, feet are good. Food allergy is presenting as itchy ears … He gets along fine with other big dogs but he’s so bouncy and excited that generally they are not ok with him being around. We would recommend he go into a home where he is an only pet. Cats will not be a good fit with Achilles and his bouncy tendencies, but if you’re that brave …
Achilles does know he’s supposed to sit, wait, and be nicely about treats but he doesn’t always behave and will need further work and reinforcement of protocol. He can catch a treats but again he’ll get lazy about it if you toss more than 2. As a retriever mix he is inclined to play ball with you but the short attention span means he’ll need work with figuring out that you can do this with him for extended periods.
Mostly he’s an amazing boy who shows behaviors consistent with neglect, and an animal who is used to being ignored more than attended to.
Outside he does respect a fence but we keep him on a line just for added security, if he was “ours” I’d fully be trusting him off the line by now, and am sure he’d stay close with the exception of the usual dog nemesis – SQUIRREL!
The lawn has not suffered any Achilles abuse and we can report he is not a dog who is prone to digging. All of his toy destruction is because he’s just huge and will need size and strength appropriate toys which at his size we just aren’t equipped for around here. The ones which do suit his size and strength though he’s been fine with not killing. Escape wise he’s not inclined to be anywhere but where he’s at, and we have had no difficulty with him wanting to be taking off. So with him now being neutered any tendencies he may have that way, will remain at 0. 

This is a beautiful dog who has waited a long time to be someone’s bestie and all he really wants, or needs in life is a human willing to make him their priority, and best friend. He’s the dog who will go everywhere and do everything with you, and will be thrilled he gets to do.
Achilles was reported to have been a chain dog previous to being dropped off here, but he really really wants to be a house pet, and more than that he really wants to be your #1 priority in life, because he’s wanting to make you his priority too. He is a dog who is looking to find his equal, and match.

If you get to howling though, just keep in mind he’s going to join you.
Human “howling” is singing, arguing, hollering across the house, or even a loud TV/Stereo.
He does not “talk to” sirens though (oddly enough) and mostly he’s not even annoying with it because he’s so melodic about it, and also – while he can get going, in our experience if he’s “carrying on” its for a reason and if you check, you’ll figure out what the issue is; which makes him very clever and well behaved, as opposed to simply annoying.

Achilles comes to you: Fixed, UTD, Housebroken, leash familiar, line familiar, come, sit, down, catch, shake a paw, and play ball trained. He is an absolute joy of a dog and deserves lots of human time, love, and care. He is an amazing boy, a love and a riot and will make someone an absolutely amazing pet. Achilles is also water friendly and doesn’t mind going for a swim.
We’re glad to have been able to assist him, and be a part of his rescue journey. Now we’re just needing to hook him up with his furever home.

To apply TO ADOPT Achilles please click here
To apply TO FOSTER Achilles please click here
to send EMT – our address is This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

December 2023 update:

Achilles is a very big fluffy boy. He is very happy and bright spirited, and always wants to play and horse around. He loves to tug, he would walk all day if you'd only let him, he's thrilled to chase deer, he's fine with other large and medium dogs.
Achilles does dig, and will need a spot where either that's not an issue, or not possible. He does suffer from high anxiety, but if you can let him process his emotion he does better and better with it each effort into the process.
Achilles is also the dog who absolutely MUST SEE what is inside of most of his toys and stuffies and is absolutely addicted to the inner floof, be prepared to keep him in the toys.
Achilles really DOES want to listen, and to be a very good boy. Some days he does better at and with that than others, but the problem days are being far less mayhem and doggy drama. He is now interested in the people, listening to them, learning what is being asked of him and following those commands.
In this regard he is fully ready for consideration.
Training he would fare well with a period of umbilical training. This is when the dog is kept leashed to your body and they must learn to fit into their owners/humans world.
If Achilles was umbilical trained you'd have yourself an amazing dog at the end of the process.
He has come crazy far from where he was when he was first admitted to the rescue, but he is an animal who will require ongoing work and training reinforcements.
Also if you get him around another dog - he immediately loses interest in the human and his sole drive becomes playing with the other dog.
For this reason Achilles will be looking for a home where he is the only pet.
He definitely seems to be struggling with food allergies beef and chicken kibble is not his friend, We have him on Acana six fish kibble at the moment, and it's definitely helped him to settle.
Achilles is friendly, but goofy - He needs polishing and reminders about his manners - But he's getting there.
He does respect gates, and doors and is in no rush to break down, jump over, or kill any barrier. He will however loudly wail the song of the separated wolf.
His innate need and desire to be with him humans however is great training tool and fodder when due to his allergies - FOOD - is not an option. His reward is attention, and he is good with "just love me"
Achilles is a young but mature dog, he's big but he's not at all mean, or angry.
He is eager to learn and to please.
He seems to prefer women over men.
He is high energy and shows good working and learning capacity.
Achilles is neutered - UTD and such a sweet goofy guy, he is sure to be a long standing favourite dog with his people, and if you think that might be you - please say hello and we can talk all about the big, bold and beautiful Achilles.