Hocus: male dog to adopt

Hocus is currently fostered in Norwich, Norfolk.

Hocus is a small to medium sized crossbreed. His passport claims him to be six years old but we believe him to be considerably older.

Hocus arrived in our care around a year ago. He was not a fan of people generally and his rehabilitation was delayed by several months due to the fact that he had a stroke and we didn’t want to put him under any stress at all whilst he recovered. For several weeks/months his mobility and balance were impaired but recently he has been in good shape so we resumed his rehabilitation. Actually just having been around us for all that time had accelerated his progress quite a lot and lead training and handling were actually simpler than anticipated and he’s now ready to look for a new home.

Hocus is a portly little chap who really likes his food but still isn’t completely convinced about human affection. He will allow us to stroke him but doesn’t yet push himself forward to ask for it. He’s still not keen on long walks and is currently more of a potterer but this may improve as his fitness level is built up in his new home. Hocus can live with other dogs but we haven’t noticed him forming any close bonds with any so he would be ok as the only dog in the home.

Anyone taking hocus on will need to be prepared to work to build the relationship and not expect too much back from him in the early weeks. He’s a battle scarred boy who has clearly had a rough life and I still don’t think he can quite believe that there is only good things in store for him now. He will need a family with no children under the age of twelve.

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 it situations where unexpected triggers might happen (e.g. around bonfire night). Nervous dogs may always need to wear a slip-lead as a back-up 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.

Fences and gates must be 5foot minimum in height and secure.

If you are interested in Hocus please get in touch. We can tell you more about him and explain how adoption with Safe Rescue works.