Please meet Alba who will be 2 in March. She is microchipped and we are told fully vaccinated. She is not spayed but her last season was in December so could be done in April. She has been in her home since a pup, but her reactivity to strangers and other dogs is something the family are struggling with, along with young children. This is what our volunteer had to say:

“Alba barked and lunged at me whilst we went inside, after I sat down she continued to bark at me, maintaining quite an aggressive stare and a full frontal posture with her owner feeding her treats in an effort to distract her from this behaviour. After a few minutes curiosity got the better of her and she wanted to sniff me, (id been tracking with one of my own dogs during the morning and probably smelt quite interesting ) once she became more confident around me I gave her one of her treats and was able to run through the list of commands that she has been taught.

Alba went to puppy classes with a view to be socialised, however, from what was described they sounded poorly monitored and Alba spent the time hiding under chairs and behind her owners whilst some of the other more confident puppies tried to chase her. The family sought the help of a behaviourist when they realised that as she had grown older she had gradually become more and more reactive. Out on walks she behaves in a similar way toward new dogs as she does to strangers coming into the house. She barks and lunges. The training advice was to distract her with food 🙄 . When I asked what improvement this has given them, I was told – none.

Although she lives with 2 small children (ages 2&4) the family feel she may be better placed with older children as she is hyper alert when they all go out to walk her together and they are seeing an increase in her reactivity. There is now another dog in the house, another female who was purchased as a puppy (now 8 months) and I am told that the two dogs get on well, I did not see the other dog as she was kept upstairs during my visit.

Alba looks a healthy weight, her coat was clean and well brushed. Alba is a sharp and quick young dog (moves a lot like a collie) I feel if she found an owner who could set boundaries and be a little firmer with her she would thrive. Scent work was mentioned which would probably be good for her. “

Are you the home for Alba please?

 

Apply to adopt

Location:

Kent - IN HOME

Sex:

Female

Age:

DOB 18.2.23

Neutered:

No

Good with children:

Yes - Older Only

Good with other dogs:

Careful introduction

Good with cats:

No