Dog Swap

Now before I actually start I would like to say that this does not normally happen in fostering and in this case has been of no problem to either of the dogs. 

I can't remember if I said in my last post but due to the school holidays coming around we were having Tolley for the week next week. Unfortunately Tolley has managed to get through the fence at his fosters house trying to get to their neighbours dog so we have decided to get Tolley early. Now Pippa is great with most dogs but I think the size of Tolley unnerved her a bit and she was very nervous with him around. We decided it was the fairest thing for her to go to Tolleys old foster as she is great with kids and will be good with the five year old grandaugher visiting. Now Pippa loves everyone so didn't care about being moved and Tolley has stayed here before and was scratching at our gate when he realised he was coming to our house! Now we don't have to keep worrying about having Tolley when the grandaughter is over as he is now staying here as our foster. I have told you about Tolley before but I best add a bit about him. 

Tolley is an 18 month old full border collie, he is a lovely dog but very very nervous and highly strung! He is so scared of everything but is getting better with people he knows. He has been so confident here as he obviously remembers it from last time. I find it very hard describing dogs I hardly know so I will just copy his profile from the website.:

Tolley needs a mature, calm, quiet home with Collie experience where he will be used for Obedience work or Working Trials as he is so intelligent.  THIS IS NOT A FAMILY PET HE NEEDS A JOB TO DO.

Tolley is a super tricolour Pedigree Border Collie aged 16 months who has been brought up from a pup with children.

This is a fantastic dog for the experienced Collie lover, he is a very loyal and affectionate boy who just needs some sympathy and understanding.  He is only young and is immature for his age so he has all the time and ability to improve in the right hands.

Tolley needs a very patient owner who will allow him time to grow and mature because prior to coming into rescue he had very limited experience and lived a sheltered life without much exercise.

Tolley is a nervous, highly strung dog who needs calm, confident handling in an environment with a lot of patience and love.  If he gets over stimulated he fails to make the right decisions about situations and his behaviour becomes erratic.  This will cease as he matures in confidence and experience.  As part of his nervousness he is anxious about cars and strangers he passes in the street.  When out and about he is on high alert at all times and cannot relax.

He is still mouthing as if teething, and humping people's leg - these are both behaviours that indicate a highly strung, nervous dog.  He needs to be treated fairly and with kindness and rewarded for good behaviour.  He cannot tolerate being bossed around in a dominant way as he is very sensitive.  Full family commitment is needed to owning a dog so please check everyone wants a dog

 He is extremely affectionate and kind.  Due to the previous owner not giving him enough exercise and leaving him alone he is now anxious about being left.  He would be OK rehomed with another kind dog (s) who will play with him.

Tolley needs 3 hours each day to be devoted to him by a knowledgeable owner who will give him  attention, training and exercise.  Apart from that he needs peace and quiet in a low stimulation environment with quiet human or dog companionship.  FOR THIS REASON HE WOULD NOT SUIT A HOME WITH THE NOISE AND CHAOS OF CHILDREN.

He lives inside the house most of the time but enjoys many hours in a safely fenced and locked garden with access to the house for shelter. (note there are a huge number of dogs stolen from gardens so security is paramount as these often end up in dog fighting rings)

Tolley needs a big, well fenced garden as he loves to be outside.

All the usual collie stuff - this dog wants to please so is very trainable and learns quickly.

Would suit Obedience.  He is too nervous for flyball or agility, that would blow his mind

Tolley is dog friendly and has lived with another dog.  House trained, nervous of strangers outside the house and traffic so he needs a patient, calm, confident handler. 

Tolley is  CAT FRIENDLY he ignores cats and has lived with a cat.  We will only rehome him where the cat is very calm and confident with dogs and the owner prepared to work to introduce the animals properly and be very patient.

Tolley pulls on the lead so strong, fit owners needed, he travels well in the car.

This dog could live outside as he loves being outside in the garden.

So thats Tolley, overall hes a great dog but does need a very experienced owner, preferably with collies. Now due to an odd gait of his back legs Tolley is due to the vets tomorrow and we are going with a behaviourist who is working to help us with Tolley.

Now before I go I must add a bit about Pippa, in the 2 weeks she has been with us I have fallen  for her and cried today giving her over, even though it is only down the road and I'm sure she will be happy there. Today Pippa came to work with me and stood outside attracting everyones attention and cuddling our dressed up big dog along with any people that came by, including children of all ages. She does need to learn to calm down around children and not jump up but other than that I can't fault her. I really do love her and I will continue posting how she is doing as she is nearby and I will insist in being responsible with rehoming her! 

Lucy, Tinks, Sally and Tolley x