Back in April 2020 we received this message from another rescue we work with to help Snap, Crackle and Pop as they are now named.

“We were asked to help with these three young Shep pups after they ended up in need and they magically appeared at kennels today 🤷🏼‍♂️. We don’t know their history but they are very very nervous and at the moment won’t accept touch. It’s so sad to see puppies that should be excited, playful and pleased to see you like this, who know what sort of existence they had.”

About 6 months old, these pups were feral and gave their foster mum a lot of challenges. It took months for them to trust any touching, and would nip if felt threatened. Thankfully they all like their food. After many months of learning to be dogs amongst foster mum’s other dogs, and increased trust in people, we finally managed to get them to the vets to be neutered, vaccinated and microchipped, especially as Poppy had her first season so we did not want accidents!

After their second vaccination, Snap, Crackle and Poppy headed off to the Essex kennels were the wonderful staff there began working with them slowly to learn about walking on a lead and the fun outside they can experience. Snap is definitely the more confident of the three and is picking up routines very well. Crackle is getting their slightly slower than his brother,  but poor Poppy was still so nervous about having a lead on and coming any further than the compound, it was decided it was best for her to go back to foster mum and learn some more from a confident pack.

We knew when we took these pups in they would be a long term project and would need time and patience, however, Snap and Crackle are ready to take the next step of a home of their own that have experience working with a dog with such a start in life, has the patience not to push them, and is not bothered by the odd nip if they push too hard. Both lads now let volunteers walk them and just need slowly and softly. Would be best to live with an older dog to show them the way and give them additional confidence.

Poppy will need an extra super home as she is still terrified of walking on a lead and needs someone who can just give her space and time to trust. Most definitely needs the confidence of other dogs.

VERY EXPERIENCED, PATIENT, AND SPECIAL HOME NEEDED PLEASE.

Now in foster and here is what her foster dad had to say about her:
Poppy has been with us for four months now and has come along greatly in that time. When she arrived she was frightened of just about everything.
Poppy is a very pretty girl who gets on brilliantly with our two dogs and loves a good run and play in the garden.

Going for walks before she came wasn’t possible because she’d bite and fight the lead, now Pops is at the door first and loves going for a good sniff to check on the locals.

She will go over walls though narrow stiles and even over a narrow stone bridge happily, and is great with traffic.

She has been roaming free in a paddock wearing a long line and comes back to the car, traveling in the car Pops settles well.

In the home Poppy is very settled now and will ask to go out however, if you miss the request you’ll get a wet patch. For most of the time she is laying next to Bracken who she is very close to, Poppy loves her food and is fed twice a day, she is fine to be left alone and will sleep without a sound for eight hours.
We do crate her and she is happy with it, she will play with soft things so we don’t leave her out of the crate when she’s alone.Poppys history before six months of age is unknown whatever happened has left her very confused as I’ve said she is a very happy girl but doesn’t like to be touched.
She will take titbits from our hands and sniff us but if we try to fuss her she’s off. Because of this she wears a short lead all the time l then change it for her walking one when we go out and this she accepts, however if I just made a grab for it she’d react.

To sum up Poppy is a very pretty girl who is liked by us are dogs and other people, in many ways low maintenance but a little confused but improving all the time steadily.

Poppy has been adopted.

Location:

Derbyshire - IN FOSTER

Sex:

Female

Age:

DOB 30.11.19 (est)

Neutered:

Yes

Good with children:

No

Good with other dogs:

Yes

Good with cats:

Unknown