08/04/2025
Hartley needs a new home
Hartley is a 4-year-old sterilised healthy pure-bred Rhodesian Ridgeback. He’s been well cared for. He needs a new home. Hartley’s humans have this to say about him…
Hartley is a fun-loving dog, with energy for days! He will never turn down a walk, game of chasey, ball throw or cuddle. In addition, he loves to sunbake, carry around soft toys (he is so appreciative of any new toy and will carry a new toy around for weeks after it has been given to him, especially if it is a large soft toy) and most of all he loves to be close to his humans.
Hartley is a pleasure to have around the house, he has indoor/outdoor access all day, and sleeps in a little room under the stairs overnight (secured by a baby gate – similar to/but larger than a crate). He never messes inside and is generally respectful of our belongings, although we have lost a shoe or two over the journey! He will sneak onto the couch when we are not around, but is sure to get off before we see him on it which we find kind of endearing.
He is great with food and toys, happy to share with whoever and will always wait until given his release word (“free”) to commence eating. That being said, he does have a sensitive stomach so is restricted to a considered diet (per our vet’s advice) of Hills Gastrointestinal Biome with supplemented cooked chicken, tuna, eggs or sardines.
He is a smart dog and is very eager to learn new tricks or complete a training session. He is strong at going to bed on command, sit, down, spin, paw, through (where he goes through your legs), wait, free, close (our command for getting him to walk beside you).
Some commands need a bit more work including recall (especially when distracted), stay (for extended periods of time), and loose leash walking.
We need to rehome him due to his discomfort with us having other people in our home and an inability to be walked by one person alongside the pram.
Our living space is relatively small and there is nowhere we can put Hartley out of view when we have people over (as recommended by his behaviourist). His bed area is right beside our powder room (which guests use when they are over) causing him to bark when people approach. Both our front and back outdoor areas are completely visible with windows and glass doors as dividers, so he will continue to bark until our guests have left.
On walks, Hartley is very strong and requires two hands on the leash in an instance of seeing a cat or having another dog approach. He is not aggressive, he can be nervous/excitable when another dog approaches and jumps and pulls, thus we tend to cross the road or give a wide berth to other dogs, which is difficult with a pram - plus, we live in a very “doggy” neighbourhood.
Hartley has learned to love our new daughter and will sniff and approach her for a pat but walk away when he has had enough. We would recommend that he is best suited for a home without small children, as he can get boisterous and is a little unaware of his size.
Hartley is offered at no charge to the right loving home and is available now. Please express interest using the system on our site at https://www.jarracadakennels.com.au/news/lodge-an-expression-of-interest-in-a-puppy (even though Hartley is not a puppy!). We’ll organise a meet up for successful parties. When everyone is happy, the transfer can take place.
