Those who were at the monthly GAL walk at Strathclyde Park met Tinker, a one year old brindle lurcher. he was on a 'morning out' from SPCA Bothwell to allow us to get a better assessment of his 'aggression' towards other dogs
He passed his assessment with a gold star. Such a transformation from his aggressive tendencies within the kennels. He hardly put a foot wrong all morning. He was still quite excitable round the girls as he has not been neutered. A few of the girls took exception to a muzzle being put under their tails. A quick growl and jump sent Tinker flying back. Quite a few manners to learn.
He seems to hate kennels now - he was in Bothwell for 2 months as a pup and this time for over 7 weeks. His behavouir getting steadily worse.
Anyway as he was proving to be aggressive in the kennels. SPCA were coming to the view that he should not be rehomed.
So -a quick decision was taken and Tinker only got as far as SPCA Kennels Office - a short wait - paperwork filled - money exchanged as he was free. He is currently with me. He has settled in well with my dogs. No aggression - lots wagging tails - stand offs and enoying the girls. Mick is a bit put out as usual as is doing his growly routine. Marked most of my house though
He will be going to the vet in next few days for his neutering operation. The next stage of his rehabilitation
Well done, Charles! What a great job you're doing with Tinker, who would have hated going back to the kennels. Hope everything goes well for him at the vet and look forward to hearing how he's getting on. We couldn't make Strathclyde Park today as Billy was working earlier than normal, so we missed meeting him. Any sign of that bigger house yet?
Great news Charles. So pleased you've 'rescued' Tinker. He just so needed to get away from those kennels - poor guy! And with your care and experience, I'm sure he's going to come on great. He seems to be an affectionate lad to us humans as well as the lady dogs!!
That grin says it all Charles, well done Tinker is obviously over the moon to be staying with you. Looking forwards to hearing more about him and the rest of your mob
Great photo! Tinker's face speaks volumes - he's over the moon to be staying with you and the rest of your team. What a lovely dog he is. Looking forward to hearing more about him and how he's getting on.
Tinker has settled in fine. He's getting on very well with my dogs and enjoys being one of the 'gang'.
His house training is going very well. He seems to be a normal young lurcher guy who suffered terrible kennel stress. This resulted in him getting worked up and aggressive with any of the dogs in the kennels and lately with the kennel staff when the hauled him, squealing and howling back into his kennel. Hence he was not going to be rehomed I think they planned to put him to sleep tomorrow.
He going to my vet for his neutering operation tomorrow avoiding having to go back to Bothwell for his operation. That could have set him back.
Hopefully he will pass his cat tests and stange dog test in next few days.
I'm thrilled to hear that Tinker is doing so well. He's a very bonnie boy - those ears are just the best! I've got a bit of a 'thing' about ears and can often be found sniffing the luggies of my two....
Well done for rescuing him, Charles. Here's to him making ever more progress.
Tinker is getting on extremely well with Trei. Tinker seems to suddenly brought out the pup in Trei.
The two boys are having a wild game in my lounge at present - jumping about all over the place. First time I've seen Trei enjoying himself so much. Cleo is looking on but not taking part. Snap and Mick are with me in another room otherwise Snap wouls have put a stop to the jumping about.
Charles - you're doing a great job with Tinker!!! And it's wonderful he's getting on so well with Trei. What a lot of fun they're having together! It goes to show that it would have been completely wrong to have Tinker pts just because the kennel situation stressed him out. Looking forward to hearing more about Tinker, Trei and their adventures.
Fiona - I know what you mean about nuzzling Harry's and Pearly's ears - I do this too with Vegas's ears! Oh well, that's another of my strange little habits out in the open!
Tinker is relaxing after his wee operation today, he seems fine andthe vet said he was not phased about being in the surgery. He seemed great when I picked him up! So another stage completed. Think I will laet him have a rest tonight before more cat stuff tomorrow.
Tink is enjoying his new pals here. He just loves to play and enjoys wrestling with Trei and Mick. Cleo then joins in. Snap likes to keep order so if the boys want to play I make sure she is in another room.
Fortunately, Tinks terrible kennel stress does not seem to have lasting impact. He has been in SPCA kennels for around a third of his life. Basically a puppy who was homed, who got too big and out of hand, through no fault of his own, around age of one.
He has passed his house training, is fine being left with my dogs. We are working on his barking/ growling issues when we meet strange dogs. He stops when told but I want him to realise he doed not need to bark/ growl. Basically it's a bit of teenage swagger. I'm a big guy. Think he was allowed to raom about in his previous home getting into scrapes. His hormones will be calming down as it's a week since his operation.
He walks very well on the lead, sits when told and raises his paws to command.
He still not sure what to do with Finn my cat. Don't think he has met many cats close up. We are still working oon this one.
All in all he's going to make someone very happy. He just wants to learn and please you. He has a great lively personality and loves to play with my dogs and with toys and with me.
He need to go to a home with another dog and someone who can make arrangements so he does not have to go into kennels during holidays. He just hates them so much.
Tinker is getting along really well with you, Snap, Mick, Cleo and Trei! He's getting the chance to be a pup and play to his heart's content and his training is coming along too. Well done, Charles, another happy dog to add to the ones you've already fostered!
Another exceptional deed, I feel so humble, it is so wonderful to hear of Tinker and how well he is doing and going by how people would have seen him in kennels he would have had no chance of finding a home, but because of you and many others within GAL these dogs are saved and potential owners are given the opportunity to know more about the real side to each beautiful dog.