K1 Patch, 10 month old Scrummy Terrier mix

[Baglady]

Oh wowsers Patch - what a scrummy little guy you are!







Patch is a shih tzu / jack russell cross, and he has been signed over to the Home at just ten months of age.



He hadn't had a toilet walk when he was dropped off lunch time today, so we took him for a little walk down the lane, but he was a little anxious and overwhelmed. Everything seemed 'new' to him, so it was into the garden for a bit of quiet 'getting to know you' time.

Patch didn't really know what to do with himself! He stood still when we took his lead off, just stood there, not seeming to realise he was 'free' and could run!



Eventually,  he realised he wasn't on a lead, he pelted up and down the garden....







But every now and then, he seemed to find it all a bit too scarey, as if he had frightened himself..



and he would stop dead in his tracks and look for somewhere to hide.




Poor little guy, we didn't even try to 'put him through his paces' but you get the distinct impression that Patch is a stranger to even the most basic commands. He didn't give eye contact, and seemed a little bit locked in his own little world, as if he has gotten used to only having himself for company. His previous owners said he was happy to be left and shut in a crate for up to 5 hours, but that he would bark and could be destructive. That doesn't sound like 'happy' to me



Patch didn't really know what to make of toys either. 



Sometimes when someone signs over a dog, they come with their favourite blankie, their favourite toys, teddies, bowls and balls, but Patch had only the sparkly collar and half check chain he stood up in when he arrived at the home




Without a doubt, 6 months ago Patch would have been the cutest little ball of puppiness you ever saw! But now he is homeless, and not only that, he is very much 'on the back paw' as far as training and socialisation is concerned. We were told he is housetrained, but he toiletted in his bed within just a few hours of arriving, which is unusual for a 'clean' dog, so it's possible that Patch's rehomers may have to start from scratch with all his training needs. He has already been let down once, we can't let that happen again, so if you think you would like to offer Patch a home, please be aware, he is going to need someone with a lot of time and patience to help him make up for lost time.



As Patch has been signed over, he is available for rehoming immediately.

If you would like more information on Patch please phone the Dogs' Home: 029 2071 1243 or visit Cardiff Dogs' Home, Westpoint Industrial Estate, Penarth Road, open 7 days a week, 10.30 - 4pm (closed for lunch 12 - 1.00pm weekdays)

For more information about the rehoming process at Cardiff Dogs Home, please click on the link below:

Rehoming Process

[ydando]

Good morning we r interested in adopting patch can we come in to see him

[Becky]

Hi ydando, this page is run by volunteers so you will need to give the staff a call to find out if Patch is still available. Have you read the guide to the adoption process? That should answer any questions you may have

[Baglady]

I simply cannot believe that Patch hasn't been snapped up

He is absolutely adorable, fabulous with other dogs, and a joy to be around!

He has learned more about 'how to be a dog' in the last week at Cardiff Dogs Home than he did in the first ten months of his young life

Patch has had playdates with Teddy Bichon, Bella collie cross, and (of course) with Bas

[ngmunday]

I had the absolute pleasure of Patch's company this afternoon! He was barely recorgnisable with his brand new hair cut. Extremely handsome, with very cute (almost Dalmatian like!) patches under his fur. 

This is was my first solo walk (without my partner) and Patch seemed a little nervous to begin with. I was told by the staff that he had been brought back to the home today and you could see he was a little sad - bless him! Nonetheless, we were determined to give him an adventurous walk in the bright sunshine to take his mind off things! We gave him lots of encouragement to get him down the lane (Huge thank you to Becky for joining me!) and he found his pace once we hit the main road. 

Patch loved exploring all the smells! A little cautious around other dogs and passers by but happy to trot on when he realised I wasn't stopping. As it says in his advert, he does seem to be in his own little world sometimes and offers little eye contact but he seemed quite happy to accommodate my small talk and seemed to enjoy a little fuss (but only as long as it didn't interupt his sniff schedule!) 

He seemed to make a real transformation from the start of the walk! As time rolled on, he became more confident, loved exploring and leading the way. A real treasure to walk! 

Keep your chin up little man! I'm certain your forever home is just around the corner.

Here are some pics from our adventure:

[Sian A]

Patch was our second walk yesterday morning and he's just gorgeous! Straight out of the kennel he was a little unsure of heading away from his safe place with some strange faces. If this poor puppy is used to being kept in a crate for prolonged periods, it's not surprising that the big outdoors can unsettle him a little. He wasn't aggressive or outright terrified, just not entirely sure about things. It took us a little while to get down the lane as he would realise we were leaving the Home behind and refuse to move. Luckily we figured out a way to give him some confidence, and one of us would walk on ahead and then crouch down and call Patch over. He'd trot over happily and curl straight in for a reassuring cuddle. Despite being let down in his early months, he still very much loves people. We did this leapfrog cuddle trick for a few more minutes until he seemed more confident and started leading the way. He did bark at a few passing dogs but it wasn't aggressive and after all other dogs we passed he just showed interest in, no barking.

About halfway down the lane Patch started to transform into a different dog. There was no more hesitance, he marched on and had a good sniff of everything, picking up a stick every now and then before losing interest. You see, Patch is much more of a 'tug-of-war' fan, as we found out on the grassy patch on the estate. He spied Dad's jacket wrapped over the bag and decided it was perfect for a game of tug! Knowing that we shouldn't encourage that particular game, we let the jacket just drop to the floor and Patch, realising we weren't going to join in, lost interest in it. He didn't damage the jacket at all, he just wanted to start a game with us. His lead was the next target but, unlike the jacket, we couldn't just drop that one. Again, the lead is completely undamaged, he just wanted to play. A short while in the Home and he's finally starting to experience all these fun things and wants more of them! We tried to distract him from the lead but the stick, tennis ball, even treats weren't quite as appealing. As he'd had at least a good bit of exercise and fresh air we decided to head back, not wanting to unintentionally enter into a proper game of tug. As soon as we stepped back onto the lane, he dropped the lead and walked on happily. It might just be that he really wanted to play tug that day, but could be worth using a light chain or harness with him to take away the temptation. We stopped for a little to give him a fuss and a treat, and though he wasn't completely sold on 'paw', he took the treat very gently. A few more cuddles and we headed back - though not before some people driving away from the Home stopped to say a quick hello to this handsome little man!

Patch is such a sweet little boy who is coming along in leaps and bounds since he was first brought in. While his new home will have to help him along with training and socialisation, it'll definitely be worth it to have this gorgeous man as part of your family.

[Becky]

I am thrilled to say that lovely Patch has trotted off to his new home!! Be happy little man, it was a pleasure meeting you x