Jack

Hi!
My name is Jack and I have had a tough start to life, but I am now ready for my new forever home and I am going to be one heck of a good dog!

I came into care after I was given away by my breeder at just 3 weeks of age. I was tiny! I could hardly walk and couldn't eat solids yet and still needed help to toilet. The girl who bought me couldn't cope with me because I was in pain from not toileting properly, and scared- so she worked with OTC to bring me into care. OTC did a 9hr round trip to get to me and bring me to my carer. Unfortunately the people who bred me have no intention of desexing my mum and also wouldn't agree to surrendering my siblings, either along with me, or at 6-8wks of age. But at least I was safe now.

Uninformed and impatient backyard breeders adhere to this 'it's weaned so good to go' practice so they won’t have to put effort into dealing with mobile puppies, and so they can save on food costs. They do this without ever giving a second thought about what is in the best interest of the puppy and how their decision will go on to impact the puppy's emotional and behavioural growth. Because my owners didn't care about me enough to keep me with my mum til I was ready to leave, OTC had to work extremely hard to prevent the damage my owners could have done by taking me away from my mum so young.

I was put into another litter upon intake and my handlers took great care of me. I was full of fleas and worms and I was very dehydrated and sniffly, and terrified. I cried for hours the first day. My carers scooped me up and got to work- giving me electrolytes and supplements, helping me toilet properly, calming me as I cried myself to sleep each night and each time nightmares woke me up, and teaching me how to eat and play. They used special music, pheromones and training to help me. It was a challenge to soothe me but not teach me to be a needy puppy! It's a thin line, but they handled it. Day by day I got stronger and braver. Within five days I could toilet alone and eat puppy mash (good quality puppy biscuits, mixed with warm formula into a mashed potato-like consistency) and I was now confident and feisty. I tottered around the house and played with my puppy friends and the other huge dogs at the house. I no longer cried myself to sleep or had nightmares. By the end of my first week I was also sleeping through the night and my eyes had become bright and sparkly. I was THRIVING in care and OTC was so very proud of me for putting up a good fight.

I was vaccinated and microchipped at six weeks of age and the vet was very happy with my progress. I have turned out to be a very social, sweet and intelligent dog. I have a cute little bark that you'll hear when someone comes to the gate, or when I am involved in a very important wrestling match. I love my dinner and am food orientated, so training me should be a breeze. My house training is going really well, and I am currently sleeping inside in a crate, with the other dogs. I sleep through the night and a breeze to care for.

Please don't let my history scare you. I wanted you to know this so that you would respect and understand how hard OTC has worked to save me and just how far I have come. I don't want you to pity me or fear that I am 'ruined' because of how young I was taken away from my mum. OTC knows what they're doing, and put me into a litter so that I would still learn important dog skills and not miss out on the important things mums teach their babies. OTC have every confidence that because of my carer's hard work, I will grow to be a well balanced and confident dog, with great social skills.

My perfect home has another dog to cuddle, and will allow me to sleep inside at night. I have met cats and they freak me out but I am definitely young and bright enough to train to get along with them. I am great with human children as long as they aren't too rough or loud.