Alfie is an 8 year old male English Cocker Spaniel. Once Alfie knows you he is a very loving, cuddly playful boy who if he had the choice he would be by my side all the time. I think Alfie would be best in a rural area where you could more easily work on his reactivity than a built up town. He will need a dog confident household that can be consistent, calm and willing to work with him on his anxiety whether alone or with a behaviourists support without over stressing him with triggers. Alfie needs someone to be around most of the time, at least until they have helped him build up to coping for periods of time, this cuddly boy likes being with his human.
Alfie seems to get along OK with dogs his size and smaller especially other spaniels, when out walking but he’s never lived with another dog as far as we know. Alfie needs a secure garden that he can’t see a lot of activity out of and trigger his anxiety so that he feels safe there. Alfie hasn’t lived with children and he has reacted negatively to them especially when they were jumping around etc when out walking so I would recommend no children in the house. He’s is a very food orientated boy and will do just about anything for a treat, which has really helped with supporting him to adjust his reactions, he’ll now focus on me and the treats rather than people/situations that are scaring him.
It also means you have to watch him as he’s eaten things that upset his stomach (have a couple of tins of chappie on standby!) though I have been introducing him to “let’s go” as a prompt to move away from things/situations and it’s helping. He is a very vocal boy in a lot of situations, whether excited, scared or just wanting attention, you can tell the difference between them though. If Alfie has had too much stress/negative stimulation in a day he has a tendency to hump his blanket, become very needy and much more easily triggered. He hasn’t shown any food or toy guarding with humans, but did show jealousy with other dogs on a walk if I gave them treats near him.
Alfie is anxious about being left alone in the house but with a distraction like a Lickimat I’ve been working with him to improve this. Out on a walk, with a front fastening harness Alfie walks quite nicely and is learning to check in with me, but he’s very easily distracted and reactive to other people and large dogs who get too close. He’s not been allowed off lead in unsecure and busy areas as his recall is not good when he sees other people. I’ve been giving him a short half hour walk each day (driving to the place we’re walking as he’s more reactive to people in built up areas, he’s fine in the car) and doing positive mental stimulation and Behaviour work in the garden/house which he really enjoys and is helping him to learn to relax.
His reactivity to humans is quite a quick change from calm to barking, growling, lunging and air snapping without making contact, especially when they try to make eye contact and talk to him. He’s obviously an anxious little boy but with help he can distract and regain/remain calm when a few metres away now.
This makes it hard for him to greet dogs but when he does he seems to have mostly good doggy manners (with his size and smaller). Alfie also can be very reactive to visitors and doorbells/knocks which I’ve tried to work on with him. He isn’t a big fan of being groomed at home, but will let you if you let him escape when he wants to and have treats on tap!
Alfie is neutered chipped wormed and flead but CAN NOT be vaccinated. Adoption is subject to meet and greet homecheck and adoption fee. Applications via forms section of website please
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