Finn is now looking for his forever home after a month of assessment with me. He is a 15 month old liver and tan working cocker who originally came from a puppy farm in Central Scotland. He is most likely a mix between show type and working type as he has characteristics and looks of both. He is a total sweetheart and has the most gorgeous big brown eyes than melt your heart instantly. He loves to get cuddles and have his belly rubbed.
Finn requires a special home with
no kids and no teens either. An experienced home with knowledge of cockers or other spaniels is essential and preferably a knowledge of spaniels with behavioural issues. Finn was rehomed due to biting young children in his previous home and we also know that he has bitten several adults in the past. From his assessment I believe his trigger is being possessive of people. He has not been aggressive towards us physically in his time here but we have seen that he stresses out sometimes if he feels someone, whether dog or human, is entering his space if he is sitting on or beside one of us. This is usually on the sofa or bed so we now have a no bed rule and he is only allowed on the sofa is nobody else is sitting there. It would propbably be best if he is kept of all furniture. With the right management there is no need for him to escalate his stress into biting and advice will be given to help any new family work out the best way to cope. Non-confrontational methods to avert his stress works well with him. To me he is not a problem dog but he does need an experienced home where his environment is carefully managed and the full extent of his capabilities are understood. He has settled well here and now that I understand how he works he poses no threat as I know I can avoid any potential problems from arising. On a day to day basis Finn is a perfectly normal dog but any new home must understand that he comes with a history.
Finn would be best suited to an active older couple or single person with one or two other dogs who can keep him in his place. He gets on fine with my own dogs (after the inital settling in period) and loves to play fight with fellow youngsters. He has spent lots of time at doggy daycare where I work and this has helped him learn doggy social skills. Finn loves to play with toys especially nylabones and tennis balls! He does not like to be left alone for long so a home where someone is around most of the time would be best.
Finn has little recall so needs to be walked on a lead (he's used to an extendi and walks to heel on a normal lead reasonably well after the first 5 mins). He has been let offlead in secure areas and does not run away but pays absolutely no attention to where you are and is in full working mode, head down sniffing & tail wagging. He will need at least 1 hours exercise a day but preferably 2-3 hours. In terms of other training Finn is progressing slowly. He is clever but is not keen to learn. With time and patience he will become much better. He knows sit, paw, down, stay, leave, drop and quiet! Whether he does things when asked is another question...
Finn travels well, eats dry, wet and raw food and likes meeting new people including kids. He has been fine with all visitors to the house. He is housetrained but has had the odd accident overnight.... usually because he prefers following scents in the garden last thing at night rather than peeing!! He has barked rather excitedly at cats so probably not cat friendly but this could be tested further if need be. Finn is neutered, microchipped and fully vaccinated.
If you think you can offer Finn his forever home please contact The Spaniel Trust at
http://www.spanieltrust.com/Update 25/9 : Finn is doing well and his training is coming along nicely. He has now been let offlead on a long line on several times on walks and has always come back to us after roaming for a few minutes. Like most working cockers he likes to cover a lot of ground but I would now say he can be let offlead in very safe areas ie country parks, beaches where there are no dangers such as roads (and as long as you have plenty time on your hands!). His general training in the home is going well too and he is very well behaved. He does well with a routine and is probably better behaved than my own spaniels a lot of the time!!
