Dakoda
Reference Number: 36259
Background: Lost
Breed: Labrador Retriever
Gender: Male
DOB: 25/3/2024
Size: Large
Weight: 36kg
Desexed: Awaiting Desex
Adoption Fee: $401
Requirements:
Experienced owners - breed
Must meet all family members
Kids (10yrs+)
Best as only dog - needs training
Commands I know:
Sit
Meet Dakoda,
Dakoda is a lovable goof ball wrapped in a big, boofy Labrador body. He’s the perfect mix of genius and airhead - one moment he’s impressing you with his smarts, the next he’s staring off into space like he just forgot how to dog. We promise he’s not broken - he’s just... processing.
If you have experience with Labradors (or just energetic, excitable dogs), Dakoda will fit right in. He thrives in a busy, loud household where there’s always something happening — think of him as your personal hype-man with four legs and a wagging tail. He loves adventures, walks, and exploring new places, so if you’re the outdoorsy type, Dakoda is ready to be your ultimate sidekick.
He’s social, confident, and always up for meeting new people (and probably dragging you toward them). He’s also a bit stubborn — so don’t be surprised if he pretends not to hear you when he’s having too much fun. But beneath all that playful energy, he’s an affectionate, loving boy who just wants to be part of your world. If you’re looking for a dog who will keep you laughing, keep you moving, and maybe occasionally keep you wondering what’s going on in his head, Dakoda is your guy.
Ideal Home: Dakoda is best suited to a standalone house or a farm/acerage, with a large yard & high, secure fencing.
Dakoda is a robust boy who isn’t dependent on your every ounce of adoration. He'd be happy on his own in the yard, but he would love the option to come inside on occasion so that he can spend time with his new family.
Family: Dakoda is open to meet kids from 10 years & up - reason for this is because he is a big boy who loves to play. Sometimes he forgets his size & may accidentally knock smaller kids over during play time.
Dakoda is also best suited with people who work part-time as he'll need someone whose committed to his ongoing training & development.
Furry Friends: Dakoda is best to be the only dog for now. He's unsure at first but as he comes closer he kind of forgets the other dog is there & then does his own thing. When he noticed the dog was there again he was a little too excited to engage with her properly. Being a big, excited & sometimes forgetful it's hard for us to gauge his reaction. We feel him being the only dog in the home is best for him & a pro trainer should be invested in to future proof him for any other dog interactions so that he isn't so overstimulated.
As we cannot test, we are unsure how Dakoda would go living with or meeting cats/pocket pets. This would be up to the discretion of his new owners. His playful nature may be too much for some smaller animals.
Training & Development: Dakoda would benefit from post-adoption training such as training at home to cover basic commands/obedience. Group classes with other dogs would be good too so that he can learn dog social skills but this should only be done under the guidance of a pro trainer. Dakoda does jump though, he does this when he meets new people because new people are just SO exciting to meet! We are working with him on this, though...
With additional training Dakoda could be the type of dog that you could take to a dog friendly café or social event.
Dakoda knows his name & he also knows commands such as: sit & he is eager to learn more. He is food motivated and often takes treats gently from you, although he can be a little bit slobbery, so having treats on you during training to mark good behaviour would be an excellent idea.
We always recommend post-adoption training whether it be at home or with a professional. Training doesn’t have to be a chore – it can be a fun experience for you both, it doesn’t have to take long & is a great way for you to bond with your new pal.
Play: Dakoda has high-range energy needs & would benefit from exercise, play, or walks from 30-60mins+ a day to keep him engaged & happy. Dakoda is playful & likes to play with soft toys when is his kennel, outside of his kennel he enjoys walks or personal play with his handlers.
Dakoda walks well on lead, but being a big, excitable boy he can pull. He is best walked on a martingale or a harness with a strong, chain lead.
Staff Comments: Being a true Lab, Dakoda loves to play with water. He's a fun dog who loves anything exciting. Nothing is ever too much for him. He's a fun dog but would need some training to reign in his super confident & outgoing nature.
Post Adoption Life: With all animals it’s important to understand that going into a new environment with new people may not be as seamless as we want it to be. It’s important to know that these animals have unknown histories - most are left in the shelter by their owners. The information we have is from observing the animal’s behaviours & reactions to certain stimuli whilst in our care. Adopted animals can take up to 3 months to properly decompress from post-shelter life & a lot of behaviours & quirks may surface during this time. All that we ask is that their new owners have an open mind & are patient.
