WILLOW - ESSEX

We have been asked by Southend Essex RSPCA for some help finding this delightful lady a home

Willow is around 7 months old, she is a very smart and driven German Shepherd cross, looking for an active, experienced home.

She is a sweet dog and a lot of fun, she loves a cuddle on the sofa, she walks well on a lead, she LOVES learning and training time. She is great with people, she adores the resident dogs she is in foster with but does get excited and bark at dogs when meeting them out on the street, but in time and with consistent training she could overcome this!

Willow hadn't had much socialisation before she arrived into our care, and although she is a quick learner we feel she must be homed with another well behaved, playful dog that can help show her the ropes and be a good mentor to her.

Willow, being an active breed, will need to have good mental stimulation, as well as physical exercise, she loves puzzle toys and things to do. Her adopter must be committed to on-going training, this will help keep her happy.

Willow does have some separation issues currently, we have been working on that, but it will take time, she gets distressed when left alone so she must have someone at home all of the time to start with, until she has learnt its ok to be alone. This is a big commitment for an adopter, but with appropriate training and the help of a well-behaved family dog, she will get there.

Willow needs a good-sized garden, and this will need to be very secure. She loves to dig in the muddiest bit of the garden she can find and then run all over your freshly mopped tiles. She's a bit of a hunter gatherer and will source the most disgusting things to try and eat, dead birds, frogs, cat poo! - So new adopters must not be squeamish!

Willow has a sensitive stomach, (not helped by her foraging tastes!), so you will need to be vigilant in the garden and on walks as she currently wants to pick everything up! But as she is so smart she is starting to learn her cue's and teaching her 'leave' is what we're working on as a priority! We'll advise regarding her diet on application.

Willow has been in foster with a dog savvy cat, whom she occasionally chases and then backs off, she has happily gone to sleep with him on the bed though, so no malice!

She is a really sweet playful, cheeky dog with a lot of potential, and will suit an active home that enjoys training and dog activities and who can resist them ears?

Please let us know if you are interested and we will pass your details through to  the RSPCA

Adoption fee £295 and (virtual) home visit apply. Willow will need to return to us for spaying at the appropriate time, but will be microchipped, vaccinated, worm an flea treated and will come with 4 weeks free insurance.