15/02/2024
UPDATE: ON HOMETRIAL 🙏🤞🐾
A sad announcement and a plea for help 🙏
Last week we sadly saw our Fantasctic Mr Finn being returned to us. Like his lovely owners and the ones before that, we are absolutely devastated for him but there are still some issues that he is still struggling with and that need to be sorted out, it was the best decision for all concerned.
I am really hoping we can get Finn to where he needs to be but I am finding it very difficult with so many dogs in kennels long term and not being able to function efficiently due to a really lengthy and bad bout of sciatica on top of my other debilitating health issues. Next week we should start work with our trainer but Finn is really struggling with not having enough to do in kennels.
He’s an exceptionally busy boy that needs a fine balance of physical and mental activity but also quality rest, which just isn’t happening in kennels as he’s finding it stressful. Finn can be claustrophobic and panics within an enclosed space which causes him to resource guard. This can be with anything he feels is important to him his space, the car, food, person etc. He can escalate very quickly, has subtle warnings and he has bitten frequently.
He is a very intelligent and loving boy and has a wicked sense of humour but finds it very difficult to trust, especially if someone is apprehensive and nervous of him, which can cause a very tense chain of events. I realise this is painting a very dark picture of Finn but whoever takes him on must go into this with their eyes open and a plan.
Finn needs a saviour, a highly experienced person who is confident, patient, understanding and kind. Someone who will give Finn a job to do and who will work on his fears. We know 100% that this is achievable because he became extremely happy and settled when he was in foster with Jem for all those months last year.
He needs to stay with that special person forever because I’m not sure he could stand yet another move. He has been a Kelpie Welfare dog since he was 9 months old, if you include his breeder, owners, foster carers and kennels then he has moved homes 9 times, this is too much and not suprising that it has eroded his trust. I want to make it clear that this is nobody’s fault and some dogs can cope better than others, but it has to stop before he’s beyond repair and he gives up on humans all together.
I’m appealing to anyone out there who is up to the job and wants to take on a project dog, Finn needs you!! For his one big problem (resource guarding) he has a dozen wonderful qualities. With the right person he will become an incredible dog that is capable of great things, he just needs some very clear boundaries and a handler who is experienced with resource guarding. He cannot stay in kennels forever so we are praying for a miracle 😕🙏
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