DescriptionUnfortunately it is with a really heavy heart, that we have to rehome our 2-year-old cockapoo Waffle. He is loving, and great company but is showing some signs of aggression towards me his primary person.
We adopted him a month and a half ago under the impression that he was well trained and had no behaviour issues; unfortunately, this is not the case and has led to the sad decision that we have to rehome him as he has also started resource guarding my living room from me his primary care giver making us as a family with a young child feel unsafe as we don't don't when this will escalate to everyone else in the house, I adopted him for me as I would be the main caregiver however with his growling towards me it is proving to be a challenge.
IMPORTANT: For the above reasons, Waffle will thrive in a calm, dog-experienced household free from children's busyness. This environment will help alleviate his anxiety and provide the structure he needs to feel secure. Also, for the same reasons as above, please NO BREEDERS. We have been advised to keep him intact, as getting him castrated will make his anxiety worse. Anyone who is thinking of adopting this needs to understand this, as worsening the anxiety through castration could lead to more severe anxiety-related aggression later on.
Please read the complete information about Waffles behaviours below:
Waffle is a lovely dog. We adopted him under the impression he was a gentle, energetic dog. Unfortunately, after having his behaviour assessed by a dog behaviour specialist, he is very anxious and overstimulated. When he’s overexcited, he runs around in circles aimlessly, barks, and doesn’t appear to be able to settle.
We have started working on this without a behaviourist, but training will need to continue; this happens both inside and outside (when on a long line lead in the park). He pulls on the lead and is very distracted with other dogs.
He likes other dogs and can become fixated on other dogs regardless of what signs the other dog is giving. I have worked on recall with him and loose lead walking, and it’s improved, but it will still need a lot of work.
His resource guarding appeared to have come out of nowhere and began when we were stroking him on the sofa, when he was on my lap. It has then escalated to the point where he is standing at the doorway of my living room, growling, intensifying if I get closer. He will also growl at me if I speak to him or say good boy to him. Again, this is out of nowhere, and before the resource guarding issue, I would be greeted every morning with bounds of love.
He has severe separation anxiety and can be left for a maximum of ten minutes at home alone.
Positives:
He loves a good run and would run on the canicross lead and harness with me. He loves playing catch with the ball, but his spinning behaviour arises from overexcitement when catching the ball.
He'll come for company and cuddles in the evening on the sofa as you're winding down for the evening and loves a good face lick.
He loves good-guy pork sausage and cheese for treats. I have some natural duck treats, as he initially loved the dried natural duck meat.
However he only occasionally seems keen on these.
He is crate-trained and sleeps well alone downstairs; however, he may need warm company for the first few nights.
He can be a fussy eater when it comes to food. However, we have found that he enjoys butternut boxes; he prefers them slightly warmed up, which I normally do in some warm water.
Health issues:
He had an ear infection when we adopted him which resulted in quite a bad ear hematoma that needed to be drained twice and treated with steroids. Ear cleaning will need to continue as cockapoos are prone to yeasty ear infection.
Potential Luxating patella; however, he doesn’t currently seem to be in pain with it, and on runs, it doesn’t seem as significant as when we are walking. We are not 100% sure if this is due to anxiety like a nervous tick etc, or if it is an actual issue with his knee again.
The vet check is due 05/10/2024, and the post will be updated accordingly.
I am not aware of any allergies.
Unfortunately, the previous family never provided us with vaccination papers or worming information; this should be available via the vet's records. He is microchipped, but the D.O.B information on the microchip is incorrect compared to what we were told the date of birth on the post is the d.o.b I was given by his family, which I didn't realise until after we brought him home.
He has a couple of harnesses and leads, along with his crate, bed, and toys. We also have some kibble that he's just started to enjoy if he doesn't eat his wet food. He has a couple of puzzle boards, too, one of which he's already figured out. He has three towels and all his bowls, etc.
Please, only serious people who understand his behavioural issues and anxious dogs. Any questions or requests for a video of his behaviour please feel free to message me.