** Timmy found his forever home with wonderful people! Yippee!  **

Timmy was surrendered to Hamilton Animal Services when his owners could no longer look after him, and because he was too vocal and was starting to become bitey. This poor guy was absolutely terrified. He completely shut down in the shelter and would barely look at the staff when they visited him in his kennel. Thankfully we had a foster home who was willing to help this scared pup, and they sprung him from the shelter.
It took some time for Timmy to get used to his new surroundings and he’s still learning to trust people. Timmy’s foster home has done a great job giving Timmy the time and the space he needs to feel comfortable. Timmy is happy on his walks, and he will play fetch with all his toys for as long as humans will throw them for him. He does have some issues with resource guarding, and anxiety with strangers.
Timmy’s vet visit went well, and he was started on anti-anxiety meds to help him through all the changes currently happening in his life. He also had a grooming, and he came out looking like a totally different dog! Thankfully, the groomer he went to was the same one he had gone to while with his previous owner, so he and the groomer had a mostly stress free time together.

Timmy had a training session with Holly at True Instincts Dog Training, and it went very well. Here’s what Holly had to say:
“He is a sweet dog who looks for guidance and direction in different environments from those who he trusts. Timmy needs clear communication and lots of reinforcement to help him through the challenges in everyday life. He is fearful, and shows many avoidance behaviours but is willing to work with new people if they let the training advance as he is ready.
His training plan includes:
1. Speaking with the vet about using anti-anxiety meds.
2. Building Confidence, reducing anxiety.
3. Conditioning harness, leash and handling.
4. Behaviour Modification for Resource Guarding.
We got started today and he was great working in our space. We explained how to use rewards to build confidence, read his body language so that we are not causing stress. How to start to condition him to wearing his harness and leash, and handling (for grooming and general care). We also started to work on his resource guarding. These behaviours often take some time to change, we would like to have a follow up appointment with Timmy to help him to continue to progress and help prepare him for his future home.”

Having this type of training is very important to be sure Timmy is on the right track. We will be asking Timmy’s adopters to continue his ongoing training with Holly. We will cover the fee for his first training session with his adopters.

Here’s a report from Timmy’s foster mom:
“Since Timmy was surrendered, we were lucky enough to obtain his whole vet record and health history. Overall he is physically healthy.
I noticed some itching and skin sensitivities early on and we tried out a hydrolized diet, it definitely helped but still seems to lick his legs – we’ve attributed this to anxiety.
He had completely shut down in the shelter and was clearly terrified, this meant for a slow decompression period once I got him home. He seemed to feel safe pretty quickly and I gave him lots of space. He slept a lot, but managed to eat pretty consistently. He showed some aggression and biting whenever I tried to get close to attach his leash, but once I got it on he thrives on his walks. He has great leash etiquette. It took about 5 days before he would approach me, or take treats from my hand. But once he started to open up I got to see just how sweet and loving he can be.
He has A LOT of energy, and benefits from several walks a day. He has endless energy for playing fetch and keeping himself entertained with as many toys as possible. He tends to show signs of toy aggression and resource guarding but he is very smart and receptive to training as it is introduced.
We have had one session with a behavioural trainer who was impressed by his listening skills and has started the framework of positive reinforcement and working on trusting people. His new family should stick with consistent, formal training to continue working on his resource guarding and aggression. They’ve suggested he struggles with “trigger stacking” and he finds normal every day noises and stimulation quite overwhelming. He would benefit from a quiet, calm detached home. The vet and trainer both recommended he go on daily anxiety medication to help stabilize, and he has been started on the meds.
When approached by new people he barks a lot, and is fearful of them. Takes a while to warm up. Quite protective of his space and of me. He seems aggressive towards other dogs as well, although that is something we are working on. I believe he would benefit from a home without other dogs or pets. And no young children.
He really is a sweet, sweet boy and will come to me when he is in the mood for some love and cuddling. Although he needs to take his time to get comfortable and settled, it’s worth the wait. He is such a happy, entertaining little guy.
He is great in the car, super well behaved at the vet. Completely house trained. Just needs some patience, structure and a lot of love.”

Timmy is not an easy, “ready made” adoptable dog, but he will definitely be worth the work that his new people will have to put in to help him be the best that he can be.