Noble is an 8-10 year old male Staffordshire Bull Terrier Cross. He is fostered in Norwich Norfolk. We met Noble on our trip to the Botosani public shelter in Romania back in March.
Noble was the saddest little chap, shivering with cold in a pen with three other much younger dogs. The instant I laid eyes on him I knew he’d be one of the first for us to get out.
Despite only being in there for about six months when others have been there for eight years I just couldn’t leave him there. Now in a UK foster home, he is still breaking my heart.
Such a humbling little boy who loves a gentle fuss but will cower and flinch when a hand initially comes towards him, even a hand he knows has never shown him anything but kindness.
Noble has slept a LOT since his arrival and, honestly, seeing him sunken into a clean quilt snoring the hours away is one of the most beautiful things I’ve ever seen in my life. Never again will he know only hard floors and filthy urine-soaked straw as bedding.
Noble enjoys his walks but shouldn’t be overly exercised as his head and heart are willing but his ageing body isn’t so much at present.
Noble is living with other dogs in his foster home and is mostly ok but does like his own space and won’t tolerate any of them getting in his bed or crate with him.
Due to his flintiness at a human touch, he will need an adult family with people who understand he’s almost certainly had an abusive past and has very real and rational fears of any sudden contact.
My dearest wish for this adorable boy is that he finds a home where he will be loved, cherished, adored and thoroughly spoiled for the rest of his days in this world.
When you adopt a Safe Rescue dog, you MUST use a slip lead. This will keep your dog safe: your new dog will be nervous and will not trust you, and you will not know which situations might upset your dog.
If your dog panics, then a slip lead is the only way to prevent your dog from escaping (many dogs can escape from a collar and/or harness). It will take AT LEAST 3-6 months for your dog to settle in and for you to know your dog fully (longer for nervous dogs).
The slip lead must ALWAYS be used during this settling-in period. Even after your dog is settled, it is safest to use the slip lead in situations where your dog may become scared (e.g. visiting new places, around unfamiliar people, at the vet), and in situations where unexpected triggers might happen (e.g. around bonfire night).
Nervous dogs may always need to wear a slip-lead as a backup safety measure. The slip lead is a safety device and must NEVER be used as a training tool. Using the lead to apply pressure to the dog’s neck is damaging.
If your dog pulls on the lead, then we can advise you on training methods that avoid harm. Once your dog is settled, you may want to consider using a harness (together with the slip lead) if your dog is comfortable with being handled when it is fitted.
Most harnesses are not escape-proof, but harnesses with a strap behind the ribcage (e.g. Ruffwear Webmaster or Perfect Fit Harnesses) are safer. Retractable/extendable leads must never be used on our dogs. Adopted dogs must be collected from the rescue and transported straight home in a crate.
