Buddy — a gorgeous boy looking for his own person
- Status: Under assessment
- Breed: Cocker
- Age: 6 years
- Location: Grantham NG33
- Foster or adopt: Foster with a View to Adopt
- Vaccinated: Yes
- Neutered: Yes
- Tail: Full
- OK with dogs: No
- OK with cats: Unsure
- OK with children: 12+
- Separation anxiety: No
- Basic commands: Yes
- Must be an only dog: Yes
- Housetrained: Yes
- Crate trained: No
- Health issues: No
- Needs an experienced owner: Yes
- Adoption fee: £350
Buddy is, first and foremost, a people dog. He absolutely loves human company and is exceptionally friendly with both familiar and unfamiliar people. During his assessment he was described as a fantastic, super-friendly, biddable boy who enjoys attention and affection. He happily rolls over for a tummy rub, loves being touched and handled, and is comfortable having all areas of his body examined. He is also wonderfully behaved at the vets and enjoys being groomed.
He is a bright, energetic boy who loves having something to do. Buddy enjoys walks, has a very good recall and likes to stay within sight of his person, regularly checking in for guidance about where to go next. He would be a fantastic companion for someone who enjoys longer walks, exploring the countryside, hiking or getting involved in fun training activities such as scentwork and nosework. His assessor felt he has plenty of enthusiasm and energy to put to good use.
He is also very trainable. Buddy knows sit, stop, lay down and “look at me”, and during his assessment he was responsive to direction. He enjoys playing and will attempt a game of tug, but importantly, he will relinquish the toy when asked. He is also happy to exchange food for an item and has no issues with people around his food.
At home Buddy is housetrained, doesn’t bark excessively, isn’t destructive and can be left alone. He travels well in the car, secured with a seatbelt harness, and has happily managed journeys of around three hours.
The important bit about Buddy
Buddy’s difficulty is not with people — it is with other dogs.
He has lived with another dog, but this relationship has become increasingly difficult, particularly later in the day and when visitors arrive. His current owner has had to introduce separation measures within the home, and there has been an incident where she was bitten when she stepped between Buddy and the other dog. She is clear that Buddy was directing his behaviour towards the other dog rather than towards her.
For that reason, Buddy needs to be the only dog in his new home. This isn’t being presented as a small issue or something an adopter should simply “see how it goes” with. His future home needs to understand and manage this properly.
Interestingly, when Buddy is on his own with his person, his owner reports that he is a happy boy with no apparent issues. The home assessment also found him to be extremely friendly and responsive with people.
He has already seen a behaviourist, following a veterinary referral, but that was only via remote assessment. His adopter will need to be someone who is prepared to continue his training and give him the consistency, structure and one-to-one attention he deserves. (We will provide ongoing help via our behaviourists).
Buddy hasn’t lived with cats, so his reaction to them is unknown. He has experience of children visiting but has not lived with children, and given his history he would need a carefully considered adult-only or appropriately managed home.
What Buddy is looking for
Buddy needs a dog-free home with someone who really wants a dog to be their companion.
Someone who enjoys getting out and about. Someone who will give him walks, training, enrichment and plenty of interaction. Someone who will appreciate a bright, affectionate Cocker who wants to be involved in life and who has plenty of energy left to enjoy.
In return, they could have a wonderfully affectionate, funny, enthusiastic and incredibly people-oriented companion.
Buddy isn’t a “bad dog”. He is a lovely dog with one significant issue that has made his current home unsafe and unmanageable. He needs the right environment rather than being asked to fit into the wrong one.
His assessment suggests that underneath the problem is a very loving, biddable and enthusiastic boy who has a huge amount to offer the right person.
And perhaps most importantly, Buddy’s assessor came away believing that he is a dog who could make somebody “a fantastic dog” — he simply needs someone who understands what makes him tick and can give him the one-to-one life in which he can thrive.
Could you be Buddy’s person?