Meet Pablo — a handsome golden boy looking for his forever home
Pablo is a gorgeous 7-year-old golden Cocker Spaniel who has been with his family since he was a puppy.
He’s a lovely, affectionate boy who really enjoys human company and being made a fuss of. During his home assessment, Pablo absolutely loved being stroked and quickly showed the assessor his favourite tickly spot behind his ears! He was happy to be handled all over, including having his ears, teeth, tail and paws checked, and showed no concern when approached from behind.
Pablo is a friendly, easy-going boy who has lived successfully with another Spaniel. He enjoys having canine company but also likes his own space — he would happily play with his doggy companion in the garden and spend time together during the day, while preferring to sleep separately.
He has also grown up around young children and is reported to tolerate them well. During the assessment, when the baby made a noise, Pablo went over to investigate, checked things out and then calmly moved away. The older child wasn’t present on the day of the visit, so this aspect of his behaviour couldn’t be independently assessed.
A boy who enjoys getting out and about
Pablo enjoys his walks and is walked every day, usually for between 30 minutes and 1½ hours. He does pull on the lead, but walks well when using his Halti/head collar. Off lead, his recall is described as good — although, being a Cocker, if he’s completely absorbed in an interesting sniff, you may need to call him a second time!
The assessor found him to be good on lead, happily doing all the normal Cocker things — sniffing, exploring and marking — and he wasn’t bothered by passing traffic. Interestingly, there was gunfire audible from the nearby army base during the assessment and Pablo wasn’t concerned by it at all. His owner reports that he is also fine with fireworks, although he can be wary of motorbike noise.
Pablo is therefore likely to make a lovely companion for someone who enjoys proper, sniffy walks and allowing a dog time to explore the world at his own pace.
A friendly boy who likes to make his own introductions
Pablo can be vocal when someone first arrives at the house. Both dogs barked when the assessor rang the doorbell and continued barking when she entered, but after a few minutes of sniffing and working her out, Pablo was completely comfortable with her in the home. His owner says this is how he reacts to everyone entering the house, whether familiar or unfamiliar.
Outside the home, Pablo likes people to approach him on his own terms. Sometimes he’ll happily accept affection; at other times he’d rather simply carry on with his walk. That’s not a problem to be “fixed” — it is simply part of who Pablo is, and his new family should be happy to respect his choices.
Once he knows you, however, he’s very happy to accept fuss and affection.
Pablo's one important consideration
Pablo does have a reported tendency to resource guard certain items, particularly things such as socks or other objects he considers valuable.
His owner reports that he gives a warning growl when he has something he doesn’t want to relinquish and that he can be persuaded to exchange it for food. There is no reported history of biting or attempting to bite either people or animals.
This was explored during the assessment. Pablo wasn’t interested in the toys offered, and there was therefore no toy guarding to observe. With food, however, he was extremely treat-oriented and responded very well to the assessor. When asked to wait for a treat he didn’t snap or try to force his way in; he pulled back and waited. He also didn’t try to get at a treat hidden beneath the assessor’s foot and was easily redirected onto another treat.
The assessor did not witness resource guarding herself, so this is something we have to take on the basis of the owner’s report. She did, however, feel that Pablo’s family were understandably concerned about what might happen if a young child attempted to take something from him.
There is also a question around whether Pablo’s apparent guarding could, at least in part, be associated with physical discomfort. His assessment notes concerns about his gut and bowel movements, so his medical history should be investigated further rather than assuming that every guarding response is purely behavioural.
Pablo will therefore need an adopter who understands resource guarding, won’t take possessions from him by force, and is prepared to continue sensible, reward-based training and management.
What else do we know about Pablo?
He’s:
- Housetrained
- Able to stay home alone — his family report leaving him for up to six hours
- Good in the car, travelling secured by harness
- Comfortable with grooming, having been groomed regularly since he was a puppy
- Good at the vets, although he can be nervous
- Not a prolific barker
- Not a digger or fence jumper
- Happy to sleep indoors
- Able to settle in a crate for short periods, although he isn’t fully crate trained
- Good with cats according to his owner, although he may bark at them
- Able to sit on command, although “stay” isn’t currently reliable
- A dog who has never bitten or attempted to bite a person, and has no reported history of attacking another animal.
He does have known allergies to chicken and wheat, currently managed with a grain-free diet, and the owner reports that he hasn’t needed medication for this for over a year. His vaccination certificate is available.
What sort of home does Pablo need?
Pablo needs someone who will give him time, consistency and attention.
His owner has been honest that, despite trying two trainers, family life and a busy lifestyle have made it difficult to provide the consistent training and attention she feels he needs. Her reason for rehoming is that she believes Pablo would thrive in a home where his needs can be given more time and focus.
And I think that’s an important part of Pablo’s story.
This isn’t a dog who needs someone to “fix” him. He needs someone who understands him.
Someone who will enjoy his walks, allow him to sniff and explore, respect his boundaries, continue his training and give him the individual attention that a lovely seven-year-old Cocker deserves.
In return, you’re likely to get a handsome, affectionate, funny and very loving companion who will happily curl up with you once you’ve earned his trust — and who, according to his assessor, absolutely loves a good fuss.
Pablo has spent his whole life with one family. He’s now looking for the next chapter — and the person who will make that chapter the best one yet