Athena

Age: 1-2 years

Color: Black & Rust

Ears/Tail: Flopped/Docked

Intake Source: Shelter

Dogs: Only dog or SLOW INTRO with a male sibling

Cats: Not a cat gal!

Crate Trained: Yes

Potty Trained: Yes

HW: Negative

Velcro Meter (1-5): 4

Activity Meter (1-5): 3

Cuddle Meter (1-5): 3

This gorgeous, smiley, girl is around 1-2 years old and full of playful, loving energy. Athena is super sweet and thrives when she has clear rules and boundaries. She’s the kind of pup who can zoom around the yard and then settle down quietly to chew a bone in her own space—though she’d much rather be by your side when given the choice.

Athena loves her people and is eager to please. She’s incredibly food motivated, which makes training a breeze—seriously, she’d jump through hoops (literally!) if you taught her to. She thrives with structure and direction and genuinely wants to learn. Whether it’s basic obedience, fun tricks, or working on her leash skills, Athena is all in and ready to work for a snack and a smile from her person.

Athena is dog reactive, which means she can become overstimulated or overexcited when she sees other dogs, especially up close. She may bark or pull during those moments, but this is absolutely something that can continue to improve with consistency and positive reinforcement.

Since entering foster care, Athena has made major strides. As she’s begun to trust her person, she has shown she can walk past other dogs calmly with clear guidance. She isn’t bothered by loud noises, bikes, or people—her triggers are primarily other dogs (and the occasional squirrel). When no dogs are around, she walks beautifully, and even when she does get excited, she responds well to gentle redirection.

Athena would do best with a male dog sibling and an adopter who is willing to follow decompression and slow-intro protocols to help her continue building confidence.

Athena is smart, affectionate, and just waiting for the right person to come along and help her be the very best version of herself. If you’re looking for a loyal companion who’s as eager to learn as she is to love, Athena might be your perfect match.

PUPDATE from Athena’s staycation with a foster sitter Nov 5th - 8th:

“Athena was an incredibly easy guest in my home. She opened up to me right away and seemed completely comfortable from the moment she walked in the door. She’s affectionate and loves to cuddle, but she also has a wonderful independent side—she was perfectly happy relaxing with a toy, chewing a bone, or hanging out outside without needing constant attention.

I have two dogs of my own, and because she was only with me for a few days, I followed slow-introduction protocols and kept everyone safely separated using baby gates and closed doors. When they saw each other, both she and my dog (who generally does great with other dogs) would bark back and forth a bit. What impressed me is how quickly Athena could regulate herself—she would settle down, stop barking first, and eventually just stand calmly at the bottom of the stairs looking up at my dogs without making a sound. She showed good awareness, curiosity, and the ability to decompress when given space.

She adapted to my home and schedule extremely quickly. At bedtime, she walked right into her kennel and slept quietly through the night. I also tried giving her the guest room with her kennel open, and every time I checked on her, she was just peacefully napping on the bed—totally relaxed and content. The biggest thing I noticed is how much her confidence has grown. She handled new routines, new spaces, and even the presence of other dogs with maturity and calmness. Her energy in the house was easy, sweet, and very go-with-the-flow. Athena is loving, adaptable, and truly wants to be part of a family. Anyone who brings her home will see how smoothly she settles in and how quickly she blossoms when she feels safe.”

*As a 100% volunteer-based organization, we request a $25 application fee to ensure that potential adopters are committed to the adoption process.

For more information or to begin the adoption process, please visit: https://www.dogwooddobermanrescue.org/adoption-process