Ernie, Staffie X DOB 10.08

Ernie, Staffie X DOB 10.08



History: Abandoned as a pup, tied up outside a shop in London.

Salient points: Maturing puppy fostered with young children, cats and another dog. Needs further training and support through adolescence. Needs company of another skilled dog.

Advert: Ernie is about 9 months old, a Staffie cross becoming a medium sized leggier dog, not a stocky Staffie. He didn't have the best start in life, not that we know for sure. Ernie was abandoned tied up outside a London shop. Though welcoming of dogs, not dog skilled. Building his social competencies has to be his main focus for the next year. He hadn't positive experiences - tried to make friends, but was seeing dogs as a threat to his food and 'much needed' affection. Thank God Ernie has a foster family there for him to 'unpack and rebuild' these relationship boundaries, learning to trust and instill a sense of security. Now settling in, even waits under supervision for a few seconds before tucking into his dinner! That's real progress!! Ernie mixes well with dogs outside enjoying off lead 'frolicking' and adores 'hide n' seek' teaching him recall. We want Ernie to be homed with another confident role model dog to continue his development of pack sharing and caring. Fostered very successfully with very young children.

So Ernie is a very clever boy and is coming on a treat. He has mastered 'sit' and we're now working on 'down' with the help of tasty treats. Eager to please, needs clear ground rules administered with firm love. He is a smashing little dog trying to shift away from difficult beginnings and is making it through, gaining confidence by the day (read naughty!!). He is very chewy and wants to be into everything. Housetrained with rare overnight accident, crate trained for short spells of being left. Ernie is now neutered, vax'd and chipped.

Ernie's beauty is emergent, becoming more radiant daily. His foster family adore him, have put a lot of work in and have turned him onto a sure footing. Difficult beginnings fading, he is walking away from the 'rescue dog' label and blending into the dog-scape to play 'Happy Families' and of course is hoping to become "Complete" with his very own Happy Family soon.

New photos of Ernie in foster ...

Let me show you why these boys were so happy to see each other...

Ernie has the red collar, Bobby is dressed in blue.
He is a bit nervy in the kennel, but this is changing rapidly because he now has his new brother to play with and he is starting to look forward to this.
I know that there was some concerns about him coming back into kennels as he was very scared when he originally arrived (before his foster home), but there is normally a way to cheer these dogs up and we have found a way to do just that for Ernie.

Lynne met Ernie in the fur yesterday coming back from his walk with Winnie and Bobby. Oh my has Ernie grown up .. no longer the puppy dog. He has learnt manners and was a delight to encounter.

This photo was taken on Friday night and was put up on our daily diary on our forum. The street lamp seemed to be a candle of HOPE...leading to his home.

Ernie met Duke and family yesterday. The family was everything we were looking for for Ernie ... Ernie was everything the family was looking for for Duke...Ernie jump into the car with Duke as though long lost brothers. “Bye everyone THANK YOU”!

Ernie has found his forever home!