Amber – 4 year old female Lurcher cross Collie/Whippet
Amber is a tiny 4 year old lurcher, collie/whippet cross standing around 20-21 inches to the shoulder. She came into Gap having been surrendered by her owner. We had been told that she was too boisterous around children but we have found that is far from the case. Amber is NOT boisterous she is a very nervous, insecure little dog who appears to be worried about getting a smack, as a result she will nip if she feels threatened.
Amber is currently in foster with 9 other dogs. She manages most of the time being around them but we do feel that she would be much happier and feel more secure if homed as an only dog. If she were to be rehomed with another dog it would need to be just one, older dog that would not challenge over toys. She displays collie traits and will run and nip at the other dogs backsides! She can also be possessive of toys, especially balls, so no toys are left out and she has supervised interactive playtimes.
Amber will need to homed to owners who have the patience to understand that occasionally she may make mistakes and have a nip whilst settling and learning to trust. During the first couple of weeks in her foster home she was unhappy being handled by her collar and would nip at hands. As time has passed her confidence and trust has grown the nipping is all but stopped although her training continues to be ongoing. We use reward based motivation if we would like her to do something and she is unsure. Occasionally she will back under things like beds and appear terrified, we move away and let her come out in her own time then reward her. Amber LOVES attention possibly too much and adores being told she is a good girl. This is most definitely the way forward with her, kindness, persistence, patience and occasionally walking away and letting her come to you in her own time. Despite her insecurities, if allowed, she would follow you around all day.
In order to give Amber a safe place, she was introduced to a crate – which is adores. She has made it her bed and her safe space, the door is left open so that she has a choice. She comes out to eat, play, walk, toilet and then chooses to head back in it to sleep. Amber is housetrained and has been clean from day one. She is good to be left and is a very quiet little dog, she does occasionally have a bark at her fosterers dogs and occasionally barks if someone comes to the house.
Amber mainly walks nicely on lead, she can pull a little but if corrected knows how to behave. She is good off lead but occasionally will run at strange dogs and/or people if they appear from nowhere and startle her where she will nip at ankles. She is only let off lead in an area where her fosterer can be certain no other dogs or people are around, otherwise a muzzle is used.
Amber is making daily progress. It’s fabulous to see how far she has come and to see her smiling, happy and secure. Amber is a fabulous little dog and will be someone’s very faithful companion. She is rewarding us tenfold for the effort we have put into bettering her life. Although she is a nipper she has been out in busy public places, on lead and under control, she has not put a foot wrong. As she is motivated by food she’s been able to meet lots of people, including children, by sitting perfectly offering them her paw and taking a tasty treat as a reward nicely. With more love, patience and security this little girl will flourish. There will be no end to her capabilities and she gets stronger and surer each day.
Amber is vaccinated, treated for parasites, microchipped and has been spayed. She will NOT be homed with children.
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