Hi, I’m Eddie.
I am a very sweet boy and am looking for a specific home with experienced owner.
More About Me
Breed - Cocker Spaniel
Size - Medium
Sex - Male
Age - 9 Years
Colour - Golden
Live with children - Never
Live with other dogs – No – potentially in the future but for now I need lots of one on one time with my new owner to get to know and help me settle in.
Live with cats - No
Live with small animals - No
Temperament – Friendly, loves cuddles and soft toys
Knows basic commands - Sit, Paw, Down, Sit pretty
Able to be left - 4 hours
Adoption fee - £150
All of our dogs come neutered, vaccinated & microchipped, unless stated otherwise.
My story so far…
I am a very sweet and loving boy and I enjoy my cuddles or bringing you a soft toy. My life has not always been easy, and due to my past and my poor health making me feel so vulnerable I have sometimes not made the best choices. My carers know what a loving boy I am, and want to find me my forever home with someone to love me for who I am, as well as respecting the boundaries I have.
I was returned October 2022 to the sanctuary after being adopted a few years ago. My adopters really loved me but struggled to cope with my behaviour in the home, which my carers believe was caused by the pain I was in from my poorly ears.
When I came back to the sanctuary my carers worked hard to try and help my ears but in the end I needed surgery to relieve me from the pain it was causing me. Since then, my ears have been doing much better and with that my behaviour improved as I’m not in pain anymore.
Just recently I was adopted but it wasn’t meant to be and I had to come back after just over a week. My carers think I just felt vulnerable again being in a new home with many changes. I need a lot of understanding & care so I don’t need to feel so vulnerable. I need you to look after me, and make sure I’m not being put in situations I find conflicting or worrying.
Home I am looking for…
I need an adult only home as an only pet especially while still getting used to my new home and people. I would not be able to be around any visiting children at all, due to my history and behaviours. I have bitten before and without effective management and care I could bite again.
I love cuddles and fuss so would need someone who can spend a lot time with me and giving me attention but on my own terms. I’d love nothing more than chilling next to you and having some belly rubs while holding a fluffy soft teddy in my mouth. I’m relatively low maintenance really!
When out on walks I do enjoy the company of other chilled dogs that will do their own thing and leave me alone to sniff and walk, like my friend Mango at the Sanctuary (who pretty much completely ignores me). I can snap and tell off dogs that are in my space or trying to play with me as I don’t appreciate energetic or pushy dogs in my space.
Behaviour & Training…
Due to my bite history, I’ll need experienced owners that are happy to manage any behaviours or issues that we encounter in the home. Most of my bite history looks to be pain related due to my ear infection, meaning my tolerance for handling was very low. I am still very sensitive around my neck/ears or having my feet touched and I can tell you off when I need space or get worried. I cannot understand that if you hurt me - you may not have meant to. All I know is that I have been hurt in the past and needed to lash out to defend myself. I don’t want to be hurt again…
New owners must be willing to spend lots of time building a bond with me. (I love most people I meet, but it can take me a while to trust you to do everyday things like putting my harness on).
During vet visits or grooming I may need to be muzzled. I can wear a muzzle for short periods although I am not a fan of it. This is because I associate it with pain of having my ears cleaned when they were sore. Prospective owners must be willing to keep up a positive association with the muzzle using positive reinforcement training. My carers can give pointers on this.
I love going out for walks and having a good sniff around. I can get a little bit strong on the lead when I get busy following my nose or wanting to get going but this is easily managed.
Medical History…
I have had surgery on both my ears due to chronic ear infections. The first operation was a lateral wall resection on my left ear a few years ago. The second operation was TECA surgery on my right ear a few months ago. My ears have healed well and do not seem to be causing me any more discomfort.
I am on a hypoallergenic diet to help my skin and prevent potential irritants so I will need to stay on this diet in the home.
Things to Note…
Any prospective owners would need to be willing to come to the sanctuary a lot and get to know me.
They also need to follow directions from my carers closely! The instructions are there to keep me happy and you safe, so please don’t ignore them!
My carers know me really well and know what makes me worried or feel vulnerable so they will be training anybody interested in me in “The ways of Eddie” as I am a super loving confident boy 99% of the time and sometimes people don’t understand that just because I try to be good doesn’t mean they can do things I don’t actually like (My Triggers). I try to tell them with my body language but sometimes they don’t listen or don’t look for my signals.
I need regular grooming to keep my coat in good condition and prevent matting as I do not like having my legs or my ears brushed. I have been doing alot better since my surgery at letting my carers brush me, but I just find it alot nicer to have regular hair cuts to prevent any knots pulling on my sensitive skin. There is an on-site groomer at the Sanctuary who is familiar with my antics and would be happy for prospective owners to keep using her.
My Triggers…
Touching around my ears or feet
Having a lead, harness or collar put on (especially if my hair is longer, I’m a sensitive boy!)
Over handling (I love cuddles but I don’t like to be overly fussed or hugged, legs lifted etc)
Resources like my food or toys (Mainly if people touch me when I’m eating or try to mess with or take something off me like a chew or toy without using swapping techniques etc)
People not recognising my signals & giving me space
Being forced to do something
Owners need to be familiar with the following signals, which may indicate I am not happy or a bite is to follow:
- Staring freezes- Moving or leaning away from you
- Leaning in & getting closer (as I want to be with you but I’m not happy so I want reassurance but I don’t know how to ask you to stop)
- Freezes in my body and face
- Appeasement eyes (side eye/can see the whites of my eyes)
- Growling
- Appeasement licks (lip licking)- Paw lifting
- Lip lifting/ muscle twitches around the mouth