Skip to content
TailHarbor
← Back to results
Available

Adopt Macky

Unknown

Macky is a beautiful and intelligent dog. An ex-aggressive dog, who has been following an education program for more than a year. With the right stimuli, he learns easily, recognizes and follows instructions, but the component of his nervousness is always present, especially with new people and situations that he does not know. Once he becomes familiar, he likes to be touched and shows affectionate behavior, but all within certain limits, of space and time. If guided, he can be managed without problems, we have even taken him on walks with other dogs, but if left "free" to decide and do things his way, all his impulsiveness comes out. He is not afraid of biting, if he decides to do so, he is determined and this has not changed over time. When meeting people, he shows himself to be sociable and curious, sniffs and takes the caresses, but one must not let their guard down. Cats attract him and if left free, he growls and chases them, if managed, we have almost succeeded in making him ignore them. In the cabin of the ALFA Village, where he is hosted and welcomed in the distant adoption program, he no longer causes major problems and for some time now, we are able to enter and exit without any drama from him. When left in the garden, he alternates moments of calmness in which he enjoys the sun with moments of barking (a normal dog!!). The potential adopter will have to confront him to determine the hierarchy. We realize that he is not a dog for everyone, but we hope with all our heart that there is someone somewhere who falls in love with Macky and welcomes him with love, patience and a bit of courage.

Read original (it)

Macky è un cane bellissimo e intelligente. Un ex cane mordace, che sta seguendo da più di un anno un percorso di educazione. Con il giusto stimolo impara facilmente, riconosce e segue le indicazioni, ma la componente del suo nervosismo è sempre presente, soprattutto con le persone nuove e con le situazioni che non conosce. Una volta presa confidenza gradisce il tocco e si concede a effusioni simpatiche ma il tutto entro un certo limite, di spazio e di tempo. Se guidato si riesce a gestirlo senza problemi, abbiamo fatto anche passeggiate con altri cani, ma se lasciato “libero” di decidere e di fare a modo suo esce tutta la sua irruenza. Non ha paura di mordere, se decide di farlo è determinato e questo non è cambiato nel tempo. Quando incontra le persone si dimostra socievole e curioso, annusa e si prende le carezze, ma non bisogna abbassare la guardia. I gatti lo attirano e se lasciato libero gli ringhia e li rincorre, se gestito siamo riusciti quasi a farglieli ignorare. Nella casetta dell’ALFA Village, dove è ospitato e accolto nel programma delle adozioni a distanza, non dà più grossi problemi e da diverso tempo ormai riusciamo ad entrare e ad uscire senza drammi da parte sua. Quando viene lasciato nel giardino alterna momenti di tranquillità in cui si gode il sole a momenti di abbaio (un cane normale!!). L’eventuale adottante dovrà scontrarsi con lui per determinare la gerarchia. Ci rendiamo conto che sia un cane non per tutti, ma speriamo con tutto il cuore che anche per Macky ci sia da qualche parte qualcuno che si innamori di lui e lo accolga con amore, pazienza e un pizzico di coraggio.

Size
Age
Location
🇮🇹Roma
Shelter
Associazione ALFA
Living with Macky
  • Vaccinated
  • Neutered
  • Microchipped
  • Good with dogs
  • Good with kids
Create free account to contact →

Free account — 10 contacts included

Cared for by Associazione ALFA · Roma

Listed 1 month ago

Bringing Macky home

What you'll need for Macky in week one.

Hand-picked · prices indicative

  1. 01
    Required by most shelters

    Trixie Transport Box

    Sturdy plastic carrier — what most shelters require for pickup.

    View on Amazon
    €35–45
  2. 02
    Editor's pick

    Folding Wire Crate

    First-week safe space. Shelter dogs settle faster with a crate.

    View on Amazon
    €50–80
  3. 03
    Legal · EU

    Car Seatbelt Tether

    Legally required in most EU countries for transporting dogs.

    View on Amazon
    €8–12
  4. 04

    Adaptil Calming Spray

    Dog-specific pheromone diffuser. Worth it for the trip home.

    View on Amazon
    €18–25
  5. 05

    Orthopaedic Dog Bed

    Worth the upgrade — rescues often have joint issues from kennels.

    View on Amazon
    €30–60
  6. 06
    Safer than a collar

    Padded Y-Front Harness

    Escape-proof for spooky rescues. Safer than a collar in week one.

    View on Amazon
    €20–35

§ Affiliate links · TailHarbor earns a small commission, no extra cost to you.

About Macky

What life with Macky looks like

Macky is a adult dog waiting at Associazione ALFA in Roma.

An adult dog fits most household rhythms once the first couple of weeks of adjustment pass. Two reasonable walks a day plus play time is usually enough. Plan a "decompression fortnight" — quiet routine, no visitors, no off-leash adventures — to let them settle.

🇮🇹Adopting from Italy

Italian canili require adopters to sign a stewardship contract (affido) and may retain the right to verify the animal's wellbeing post-adoption. Animals are chipped and sterilized before leaving (Legge 281/91). Public canili rifugio typically waive adoption fees.

Roma, Italy browse more dogs in Italy.

Frequently asked

Adopting Macky, answered.

How do I contact the shelter about Macky?
Use the phone, email, or website link in the sidebar of this page. Associazione ALFA handles screening and the adoption contract directly — TailHarbor doesn't broker the conversation. When you reach out, mention you saw Macky on TailHarbor so they know which animal you're asking about.
Can I adopt Macky if I live in another country?
Yes, in most cases. Rescues across Europe routinely place animals abroad — Associazione ALFA will tell you what they need (EU pet passport, rabies titer, transport coordination) and whether they handle transport themselves or refer you to a partner. Plan for an extra €100–€350 in transport costs depending on distance.
Is Macky already vetted, vaccinated, and chipped?
Most dogs on TailHarbor leave their shelter with sterilization, current vaccinations, microchip ID, and an EU pet passport included in the adoption fee. The vet status on this page reflects what the shelter has reported — ask them directly if you need details on specific vaccines, recent bloodwork, or chronic conditions.
What happens if Macky isn't the right fit?
Every reputable rescue accepts an animal back if the adoption genuinely doesn't work — that's part of the standard contract. Talk it through with Associazione ALFA early rather than rehoming privately; they know Macky and can place them more successfully than a second-hand listing can.
Why does the description sometimes read awkwardly?
TailHarbor translates shelter descriptions into English from the source language (IT). Translation is imperfect — names of streets, donors, and shelter-specific terms occasionally slip through unidiomatically. For the cleanest read, click the source link to see the shelter's original page.
You might also like
Adopt Macky — Mixed breed in Roma | TailHarbor