Taio is looking for an understanding home with NO children!
Taio is around 9 months old he came to Walkies as he suffers with aggression issues and had bit a child on the arm he didn’t break the skin but it was enough for his owner and she felt he needed a home with no children. We will be getting to the bottom of Taio’s aggression issues over the coming weeks at Walkies. We are looking for a very special home for Taio with someone who is willing to work with him with lots of time and patience if that’s you please contact us!
Stage 1
Understandably Taio was nervous when he first arrived he came and had a smell round and hid for a bit. We completely ignored him and let him come to us. We have started him on a rescue remedy by Bach flower remedies a few drops morning and night in his water. The flower remedy helps dogs cope with all kinds of stress. In Taio’s case its helped him adjust better. We have noticed Taio is very sexually mature for his age. First things first as soon as he settles down we will be talking to our vet regarding castration or to see if any medical issues could be attributing to Taio’s aggression issues.
Stage 2
Taio has started to settle now , he is bottom of our small dog pack and he still isn’t allowed on the sofa. He has become more obedient he knows his place in the pack and feels secure. He still has issues with strangers its not every person. He dosen’t seem to have a trigger or pattern so this is something we are working on. Although he has met lots of visitors lately and if he is totally ignored he’s fine. Diet can be another contribution to behaviour problems so Taio is on a low protein diet. Taio has become so cuddly with myself and my partner he follows us everywhere he has such a snuggly side to him!
Stage 3
Taio has come on leaps and bounds recently, he dosen’t need to get stressed as here he is bottom of the pack. He has met lots more people and his reaction to strangers has changed so much. Now he actively wants to see how it is what they are like and if they have a tasty morsel to offer. Due to Taio’s past history with children we have been taking things slow with him . He has bonded so well with Taylor our 9 year old and with our 7 year son Riley . At first when Taio was introduced carefully to a general family evening we told the children to ignore Taio completely. This went on for a few weeks and Taylor started talking to him at night through a dog gate. After a few nights of this he let her cuddle him and we have had not one snap or snarl !! So now Taio comes out for playtime when the children are out too. Taio has become such a lovely dog and through learning basic commands and clicker training he has become more happy in his own skin. He no longer skulks around the place now his tail is held high and he bounces everywhere.
Stage 4
Now Taio will let us handle him all over we decided as the warmer weather is on its way we would clip him. This would be the ultimate trust test between Taio and myself! Taio did very well i didn’t need to muzzle him once i took each stage carefully and spent ages massaging him and making him feel as comfortable as possible. I find with Nervous dogs its best not to go over board on the fusses but instead use a confident manner and plenty of up beat praise. After clipping Taio was like a spring chicken he can see better too and its given him an new air of confidence!
Stage 5
Taio has come on even more recently he can now be let off the lead when we go out for walks and he has met so many strangers he’s let cuddle him recently. We have had him castrated too and hes turned even more cuddly now he loves sitting next to you wherever you are and just likes being besided somone. So definatly an older retired couple would suit him down to the ground. Its now time to find him his forever home he has done so well and hes been with us a while now so re homing him is going to be a very sad day at Walkies. I would never trust him 100% with young children due to his past. Although with our 9 and 7 year old he often is out when they are playing he joins in on family time lots to and they love playing with him. With Taio i feel all his problems in his previous home were down too him not feeling secure in his place within the home and him thinking it was his job to protect the family. Now he knows he is at the bottom off our pack this stressy behaviour ceases to exist . He no longer shakes or pees or hides away from things. Working with Taio has been a great experience and Ive really enjoyed watching this timid growly little thing flourish into a happy , bouncy cuddly boy.!
