Border Collie Dog for Adoption in Portland OR (Lyle, WA) – Meet Olaf

Are you searching for an extraordinary Border Collie for adoption near Portland, Oregon or in Lyle, Washington? Meet Olaf — a brilliant, loyal, and hilariously lovable 3-year-old Border Collie who’s ready to be your devoted adventure buddy and cherished family companion.

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Meet Olaf: Herding Dog Extraordinaire, Soccer Fan, and Total Goofball

Let me tell you about Olaf. Not the snowman — although, funnily enough, this Olaf is made of pure heart and may melt you if you stare too long into his soulful, laser-focused Border Collie eyes. No, this Olaf is 60 pounds of velvety fur, astonishing intelligence, and loyal devotion wrapped in one gloriously goofy, adventure-loving, sheep-herding package.

He’s the kind of dog that makes you laugh when you’re not supposed to. The kind that watches you with such intensity while you butter your toast that you half expect him to ask for a spreadsheet breakdown of your breakfast. He doesn’t just live with you. He joins you — in everything. Laundry? He’s there. Shower? Front-row seat. Quick trip to the mailbox? He’s already waiting at the door, leash in mouth, ready for a cross-country hike. Olaf is with you in every moment. That’s just who he is. A Velcro dog with a graduate degree in devotion.

Now, don’t let his comedic timing fool you. This boy’s got working dog DNA that runs deep. At just 7 months old, Olaf walked onto a sheep farm and — without so much as a whistle — started herding like it was his birthright. No training, no hesitation. Just instinct, precision, and a wildly wagging tail. He’s got drive, brains, and focus like you wouldn’t believe… until he spots a rogue leaf skittering across the yard and suddenly he’s all “MUST. CONTROL. SITUATION.”

Olaf is not just smart — he’s scary smart. Like, “learns new tricks before you’ve finished the sentence” smart. But he’s also a sensitive soul. He feels everything deeply — joy, excitement, loyalty… and yes, a little too much stress around unpredictable things like children or a crowd of strangers.

That’s why his beloved family — who have given him a life full of love, training, and purpose — have made the heartbreaking decision to find him a new forever home. They’re planning for children in the near future, and after working with a behavioral specialist, it’s clear that living with little ones just isn’t something Olaf can manage comfortably or safely. And instead of waiting for a crisis, they’re doing the bravest, most compassionate thing they can: making sure Olaf lands exactly where he’s meant to be.

So who is Olaf meant for?

He’s for the person who wakes up excited for the trail. Who thinks agility sounds like a fun weekend, not a chore. Who chuckles at a dog who tries to supervise a soccer game — and is impressed when he actually helps. He’s for someone who understands the glorious chaos and brilliance of herding breeds and who’s ready to be challenged, adored, and shadowed like a celebrity on a red carpet.

Olaf will thrive in a kid-free, cat-free home (he hasn’t been tested with cats), ideally with land to explore or a seriously big backyard. He loves other dogs but doesn’t want to share his food with them, thank you very much — so structured mealtimes and clear boundaries are his love language.

And while he’ll play ball like it’s his full-time job, his future family should know: fetch is a privilege, not a lifestyle. He needs mental enrichment that challenges his brilliant little noggin — trick training, agility, nose work — things that let him flex that brain without winding himself into a Border Collie whirlwind.

And yes, he’s a bit of a drama queen in the car when you’re parked. And sure, he once had a deeply held belief that no one should hug his human unless properly vetted through a bark-based background check. But he’s made amazing progress with training, and with consistent boundaries and guidance, he becomes a dream.

Adopting Olaf is like signing up for a lifetime of loyalty, laughter, and breathtaking moments — like watching him leap effortlessly over a log on a forest trail, or sit patiently while he reads your soul through your eyebrows. He will be your partner, your protector, your biggest fan… and probably your shadow. He is not a dog to fill a space — he is a dog to fill a life.

If you feel the pull — that flutter of recognition that this is your dog — don’t wait. Olaf is ready. Ready to follow you, to learn from you, to make you laugh, and to love you in that once-in-a-lifetime, all-in Border Collie kind of way.

Apply now to meet Olaf. Your sidekick, sheepdog, co-pilot, and ridiculously charming goofball is waiting.

Questions About Olaf? Check out our Olaf Adoption FAQ below, or email us at petrehomingnetwork@gmail.com

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5 Amazing Things About Olaf:

– For a dog with such a strong work drive and sensitive mind, he is also SO very goofy, and the combination is hilarious.
– He is so devoted to his humans and always wants to be nearby.
– He is such a fast learner, it’s absolutely amazing to watch him work. He was able to start herding sheep at 7 months old with zero prior experience or training.
– He is so, so very handsome and cute.
– He loves long car rides and is SUCH a fun adventure buddy.

Olaf’s owners are very sad to have to rehome their cherished dog, but circumstances beyond their control have made rehoming a must-do.

They are hoping to find the right home where this deserving dog will be loved unconditionally and kept safe, happy, healthy and well-cared-for.

If you have room in your heart and home for Olaf, then please offer a loving, forever home today. Olaf can’t wait to show you the true meaning of unconditional love.

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How To Adopt Olaf

Please fill out our online meeting request form via the button below. Once your application is received and reviewed, a member of our Portland dog rehoming team will ask the pets owner to reach out to you and arrange a meeting.

 

There is a $150 adoption/rehoming fee. Supplies and veterinary records will be included.

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All About Olaf – Border Collie dog For Adoption in Lyle WA

Name of Pet: Olaf
Location: Lyle, WA

Type of Pet: dog
Breed of Pet: Border Collie
Sex of Pet: Male
Age of Pet: 3 years
Weight: 60 pounds
Spayed/Neutered?: Yes
Health Problems: No He has a clean bill of health from Brooklyn Yard Vet in Portland, OR. He was seen by multiple orthopedic specialists when we thought he might have a partially torn ligament, but was cleared of any injury. It turns out he just tends to restrict movement in his back legs when he gets tired!
Behavior Issues: I hesitate to describe them as “problems” since they would be desirable qualities in a working dog, and he is expressing instincts that were bred into dogs like him for centuries. That being said, he has certain behaviors that his next guardian will need to be aware of. Here’s the full list:

– He’s a great guard dog, but sometimes misreads the situation and isn’t responsive to being told to stop barking. This behavior is most intense in a parked car. If humans are inside the parked car with him, he will bark at anyone who has the nerve to walk in the parking lot nearby the car. Interestingly, he won’t bark if he’s left alone in the car, he just thinks he’s supposed to guard the car when his humans are inside.

– Similarly, he will guard a campsite, which is great for protection, but not ideal for crowded campsites with lots of other folks camping nearby. He’s better suited to camping in low-traffic spots where there won’t be other people frequently walking by.

– He is scared of small children (unpredictable, loud) and might nip them to control their movements. He should not be off leash around small kids.

– He will use nipping to control his environment as a last resort if he perceives a threat. This can be problematic when hiking off-leash, because if someone comes around a bend and surprises him, there is a chance he will give them a warning nip. He’s perfectly friendly on trail otherwise, and we’ve worked hard on his recall, but future guardians will need to be aware that if they aren’t confident about their ability to spot other people coming before he does and recall him, then it’s safer to just keep him leashed up. He loves saying hello to people on trail and the leash makes him feel safe. He’s very good about recalling if he sees people far in the distance, the problem only arises if someone suddenly appears in his space out of nowhere. Understandable! He thinks he’s gotta protect the flock!

– He forms an intense bond with his primary caretaker and has an instinct to guard them in ways that aren’t always super helpful! For example, when he was a puppy, he wouldn’t let me hug anyone – the minute the other person stretched their arms out and moved towards me, he would bark and lunge at them. However he was very receptive to training around this, and now he’s perfectly fine with letting people hug me. He’s just like, “well that’s weird, but whatever”. So as long as he receives guidance and training, he’s fine. Another example is that when I met my spouse and first started spending time with them in the house, he would get very jealous of the attention I was giving them, and would jump on them to protest. This was resolved through setting strong boundaries. It’s super, super important that his next guardian sets very strong boundaries and is careful not to reward any guarding behaviors, such as putting his body in between his primary human and other humans, not letting them give other creatures attention, etc. If he does this, he’s gotta leave the room!

– He has some resource guarding behaviors around other dogs and food. It started when he was a puppy with just whining whenever another dog had a bone or toy, even if he also had a bone and plenty of toys. He just didn’t want to let the other dog have any resources. Unfortunately I didn’t realize that the whining was an early sign of resource guarding, and it escalated to more aggressive behavior (taking resource away from other dog, lunging at other dog) in adolescence. He does absolutely fine with management protocols, so his next guardian should just be aware that he needs to be in a kennel or behind a gate (in his own space) when food is happening. He has never bitten another dog and is very receptive to being redirected. Additionally, he LOVES playing and hanging out with other dogs, so a lot of the resource guarding behaviors can be off-set through fostering his bond with the other dogs. He thrives at daycare, boarding, and adventure groups and is a very social dude!

– Lastly, Olaf does not like small puppies and will set VERY strong boundaries with them. There have been several instances where we were out on a trail, and someone was just letting their 4-month old puppy run loose. Of course, this puppy would run up to Olaf, jump all over him, nip his face to get him to play, etc…and he does not tolerate that at all. He’ll generally pin them to the ground and doesn’t let up even when they submit and start yelping. He’s NEVER bitten or injured a puppy, but it’s very frightening for the puppy and the puppy’s owner, and this behavior from him is very consistent, so he should NOT be allowed to interact with small puppies. Young dogs are fine as long as they’ve learned their dog manners.
Up To Date on Vaccinations:
Gets along with cats: Unknown
Gets along with dogs: Yes
Good with Children?: No
House Broken or Litter Trained?: Yes
Crate Trained?: Yes
Accessories Included: Large kennel, multiple dog beds, food, toys, collar, leash, harness, enrichment toys

Olaf’s Personality

Highly alert, fiercely intelligent, and profoundly playful companion who loves to learn new skills and is always ready for a new adventure. Boundless energy and enthusiasm, incredibly loving and loyal, deeply driven to work. Will easily become restless without a job to do throughout the day, but is happy to switch-off and relax as long as his mental + physical activity needs are met. Unparalleled ability to focus once he’s set on a task, can become hyper-fixated and obsessive, benefits from guidance on when it’s time to be “all done”.

He would be such an incredible dog for someone who is very active and excited to work him every day – herding animals, hiking, agility, frisbee, or trick training, he can do it all and learns at lightening speed. Knows a ton of commands and can pick them up extremely quickly.

He also loves affection and pets once he’s in relax mode, and is also very keen on following his human around wherever they go in the house. Will use his border collie stare to communicate at all times, which is very cute, but he also he benefits from alone time in his own space so he can fully switch off.

Super social, loves to meet new people and dogs, loves to play play play play play play play. He is very sensitive to movement and sound per his herding dog genetics, and will think it’s his job to control everything unless he’s told to “leave it”.

He’s the perfect dog for someone that is experienced with herding/working dog breeds and is excited to jump right in with a fully mature young dog that’s already received foundational + some advanced training. He’s ready for his new life as a working dog or a best friend to someone with a very active lifestyle.

Olaf’s Favorite Toys, Foods, Activities?

His favorite activities include:

– Following his human around absolutely everywhere
– Sheep-herding
– Agility
– Frisbee
– Swimming
– Hiking
– Playing with other dogs
– Trick training
– Skills training
– Exploring new places, meeting new people
– Nose work
– Playing with toys
– Fetch**

**He will become VERY obsessive and manic about fetching a ball, and he’ll keep going even if he’s in pain, so it’s critical to use it carefully. It’s a great tool for certain scenarios, such as hanging out with him at a crowded park or beach, since as long as his ball is out, he won’t care or even notice anything else happening around him.

He will recall 100% reliably if his human has his ball. However, he also won’t be able to do “all done” with the ball – he will just obsess over it non-stop until it’s fully out of sight. Additionally, if he associates a certain location with playing ball fetch, he’ll refuse to do any other activity there, so it’s very important to be intentional about when and where it’s introduced, and then be very firm about when it’s time to be all done.

He will not do well in a home where playing fetch is the main activity, as it does not challenge his brain hardly at all. We use fetch as a reward, and occasional fun activity, but he really needs activities that don’t wind him up and trigger his obsessive behaviors.

FOOD:

He is very food driven, which makes training easy! He likes any meat-based treats, but is not a big fan of dog “cookies” or peanut-butter based treats. We feed him a diet of oats + First Mate kibble with some kind of special topper like freeze-dried chicken breast. He enjoys bully stick chews. We stay away from fattier bones / fish skin as those seem to upset his stomach.

Cute Olaf Story:

When he was 6 months old, I taught him a trick where he would jump into my arms on cue. He was so proud of himself every time he did it, and eventually decided that every human must want him to do this. For a while, whenever someone said hello to him, he would immediately offer a quick sit and then attempt to jump into their arms. It was very cute, but I had to teach him to wait for someone to invite him to do it!

Another funny story: one time when he was a small puppy a soccer game was happening at the park where we were training, and he decided that looked way more fun than what we were doing. He managed to break away from his leash (my mistake) and go join the game. To my surprise, everyone thought it was VERY cute and they were happy to involve him. He would run alongside whoever had the ball, helping keep track of the ball and making sure the human had his guidance and protection.

He also used to love doing that with other dogs that played ball fetch, before he became a fetch dog himself – he would focus on herding the dog, making sure they brought the ball back every time, never trying to take the ball himself. He just wanted to control the game an make sure the ball never got lost.

Why is Olaf Being Rehomed?

Unfortunately, my partner and I are planning on having kids, and it’s clear that Olaf would find that extremely stressful. There have been several instances of him nipping small children when they moved too suddenly for his comfort.

We’ve worked with a behavioral specialist for the last year to try and address this, and have found that he is not able to regulate his stress levels around small children even with our guidance. While it’s very tempting to see if he would be ok with our children and understand that they are part of the pack, based on his history of behavior around kids, we feel that would be a deeply unsafe choice both for him and us.

We do not want to end up in a situation where we have to rehome him urgently or bring him to a shelter because of something terrible happening. That would be traumatic for everyone! In accordance with the advice from a behavioral specialist, who offered that after a year of work with Olaf, it was perhaps “too much to ask of him” to live in a house with small kids, we’ve decided the most responsible and loving choice is to provide him with a forever home that will be kid-free.

Olaf’s Perfect Adoptive Home Will Be:

– Prior experience with herding/working dog breeds and commitment to providing daily physical+mental activities. Multiple walks per day will NOT be enough.
– Commitment to not taking him to public dog parks. They are too stressful for him and bring out his obsessive controlling behaviors.

He does very well playing with ball or frisbee in an open space, and also thrives at his nature boarding + daycare spot (Cooper’s Dogpatch in Estacada, OR), but should not go to public dog parks.
– No kids or cats (untested around cats)
– Ideally he would have lots of land to run on, or at least a very very large yard in a quiet neighborhood outside the city.
– Someone who loves herding dogs and is excited to utilize his incredible energy and intelligence!
– Interested in staying in touch with us throughout his life. We would love to be his cool aunties that pick him up for a fun adventure once in a while, and to get occasional photos and updates.

We are VERY available to help with integrating him into his next home, and would be happy to be on hand to help the new owner get acquainted with his commands and routines.

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Olaf’s Location

Olaf is located close to the following towns and cities in WA, and can be adopted from anywhere within a reasonable distance.

Lyle WA,
Washougal WA,
Troutdale OR,
Camas WA,
Fairview OR,
Gresham OR,
Minnehaha WA,
Salmon Creek WA,
Toppenish WA,
Gladstone OR,
Milwaukie OR,
Vancouver WA,
Oak Grove OR,
Oregon City OR,
Portland OR,
West Linn OR,

Adopt this deserving Border Collie dog in Lyle WA today.

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🐾 Olaf Adoption FAQ

📍 Where is Olaf located?

Olaf is currently living in Lyle, Washington, near the Oregon border. He can be adopted by families anywhere within reasonable driving distance — including Portland, Oregon, Vancouver, WA, and surrounding areas.

💰 What is the adoption fee?

The adoption fee for Olaf is $150. This helps us offer follow up ensures a serious commitment from adopters.

📦 What comes with Olaf?

Olaf will come with a large kennel, multiple dog beds, food, treats, toys, collar, leash, harness, enrichment items, and his veterinary records.

📅 How old is Olaf?

Olaf is 3 years old.

⚖️ How much does Olaf weigh?

He weighs approximately 60 pounds.

🧬 What breed is Olaf?

Olaf is a purebred Border Collie, a breed known for intelligence, sensitivity, and herding instinct.

🩺 Is Olaf healthy?

Yes! Olaf has a clean bill of health from Brooklyn Yard Vet in Portland, OR. A past concern about his leg turned out to be muscle tightness due to fatigue — no injuries.

💉 Is Olaf up to date on vaccinations?

Yes, he is fully vaccinated and current on all veterinary care.

🐶 Is Olaf neutered?

Yes, Olaf is neutered.

🧼 Is Olaf house-trained?

Yes, Olaf is fully house-trained and has great indoor manners.

🏡 Is Olaf crate-trained?

Yes, he is crate-trained and finds comfort in having his own space.

🐾 Is Olaf good with other dogs?

Yes, with structure. He loves to play with other dogs and does well at daycare and boarding. However, he has some resource guarding tendencies and should be separated from other dogs during mealtimes.

🐕 Does Olaf get along with puppies?

No. Olaf does not tolerate small puppies and should not interact with them. He may pin or strongly correct them if they invade his space.

🐈 Is Olaf good with cats?

Unknown. Olaf has not been tested with cats, so we recommend a cat-free home unless you have experience introducing herding dogs to cats.

👶 Is Olaf good with children?

No. Olaf is not comfortable with small children and has nipped when startled. He must go to a child-free home, now and in the future.

🐕‍🦺 What kind of training does Olaf have?

Olaf has received both foundational and advanced training. He knows numerous commands, excels at agility and trick training, and is highly responsive to structure. He’s worked with a behavioral specialist to manage guarding tendencies.

🔊 Does Olaf bark?

Yes. Olaf may bark to alert or protect, particularly when in a parked car or at a campsite. This is manageable with training and low-distraction environments.

🚗 Does Olaf enjoy car rides?

Yes! He loves long car rides and makes an excellent road trip buddy — as long as he’s not in guard mode when parked.

🧠 Does Olaf need a job?

Absolutely. Olaf is a high-drive Border Collie who requires daily mental and physical activity. Hiking, agility, herding, nose work, and trick training are all ideal for him.

🥎 Can I just play fetch with Olaf to exercise him?

Fetch should be used sparingly. Olaf becomes obsessive and cannot self-regulate with the ball. Use it strategically and as a reward — not as his main outlet.

🧍‍♀️ Will Olaf follow me around?

Yes! Olaf is a classic “Velcro dog” and will want to be with you at all times. He thrives on companionship and being part of everything you do.

📷 What’s Olaf’s personality like?

Olaf is loyal, sensitive, intensely smart, playful, goofy, and endlessly devoted to his person. He’ll keep you laughing — and on your toes!

🛑 Does Olaf have any behavioral issues?

Olaf displays natural herding behaviors that require experienced management, including:

• Resource guarding around other dogs
• Barking in protective situations
• Jealousy/protectiveness of his primary person (with people and other dogs)
• Fear-based reactions when startled off-leash
• Inability to tolerate puppies

He is very trainable, responsive, and has made great progress — but he needs a consistent, experienced home that understands working-breed needs.

🏠 What kind of home is Olaf looking for?

• • No children or cats

 

• Very active lifestyle with daily enrichment
• Large yard or rural property
• Structure, training, and lots of love

 

💬 Can I stay in touch with Olaf’s current owners?

Yes! Olaf’s owners would love occasional updates and are happy to help during the transition. They’ll even walk you through his routines and commands.

📝 How do I apply to adopt Olaf?

Please fill out our online meeting request form express your interest in adopting Olaf. Include your location, experience with dogs, and anything else you’d like us to know.

🐕 Can I meet Olaf before adopting?

Yes, of course. Meet-and-greets are part of the process to ensure a great fit for both Olaf and his future family.

❤️ Why is Olaf being rehomed?

His family is planning for children and, after working with a behavioral specialist, has determined that Olaf would be too stressed in a home with kids. They are making this difficult decision proactively to ensure Olaf transitions safely into the right long-term home.

If you have additional questions, please email petrehomingnetwork@gmail.com — we’d love to tell you more about this incredible dog!