INITIALLY FOSTERED IN NORFOLK BY JACKIE

Leroy arrived from Ireland on Saturday 9 November. He was found as a stray and taken into the Vets, where he was handed over to IRR.
Leroy is only around 12 weeks old, and is a Lab X. This young man has only got a ¾ length tail bless him, we have no idea if he was born that way or what!!
He has had his puppy Vaccinations, but because of his age he has not been neutered.



Leroy (named after Jackie's recently deceased rabbit) is a typical puppy, into everything. He already knows how to sit and is learning the down command, which he is picking up very quickly.
This little lad is almost house trained, and is being crate trained too. He sleeps in his crate quite happily overnight.



Here he is with my dog Bridie. My other dog Gizmo isn't too impressed, Leroy is a little too feisty for his liking as being an old man, he prefers the quiet life.

Leroy is going on a short break with us where he will be meeting Regina's 3 dogs Jerry-Lee, Teddy and Bouncer who is one of our Sponsor dogs.

UPDATE FROM JACKIE

Here are a few photos of Leroy at Regina’s.

Due to exciting family commitments (a first grand-child on the way) that are fast approaching, Leroy had to be moved from Jackie's and we have been lucky enough to move him to Helen, a fosterer in Surrey who is also a trainer and behaviourist.

UPDATE ON LEROY FROM HELEN

Helen says "I think Leroy is between 17 and 20 weeks, he has most his second molars and premolars and his baby incisors are going but he still retains his baby canines. He is having the three day puppy doses of Panacur favourites wormer as I think it is gentler than one big dose.
He has large marrow bones in his crate daily and he adores these and they help keep him calm. As well as the flower essences, I am giving him Stress relief tablets from Boots containing Lemon Balm and Valerian (Lemon Balm being a really comforting herb and much more use in these cases). I have barely used any other treats as I don't want to upset his stomach, although he can cope with a tiny amount of cheese.

It is easy to forget how young this dog is, he does have silly puppy moments but he is much more! I have grown to really appreciate this little dog, his potential is huge.

He is a contradiction in many ways, he takes food very gently from you. If he mouths me in a puppy way and I give a puppy yip he has bite inhibition and will let go immediately and give you little appeasing lick. If he jumps up at you (and I have not pushed him off as he needs to learn hands are not bad things) he is very gentle when his paws are on you. He has a strength of character that is not often seen in such a young dog! He believes he is part mountain goat!
He can jump - well he springs up like a well honed athlete. He is a very strong little dog!

He is a curious mixture - not overly demanding of attention, not constantly fawning for physical attention but he does like just being with you... he will sit on the chair next to me by the computer or, as he is now, in his crate with a bone, next to the computer.

He comes out for walks with many dogs. I use the Perfect Fit harness and a 100ft longline and he is very good with other dogs on a walk, mainly doing his own thing.

The key to this guy is keeping him calm and not allowing the adrenalin levels to rocket! I give him down times in the crate, he settles very well and rarely moans.

I really like this chap, true he is a handful and you need your wits about you, but he is a handful because of what life has dealt him. I love his intelligence, his willingness to learn. His seriousness is sweet and sometimes he tries hard!!!

WHAT SORT OF OWNER DOES LEROY NEED?

Someone with some experience and who has the time to be with this dog as his
companion and guide and friend.

Someone who will appreciate how cool this dog really is and who can help Leroy reach his full potential.

Someone who is patient, who will not take Leroy's outbursts personally and who will have
strategies in place to work with him.

This dog has a lot to offer to the right person, he won't cope with being shunted about, he needs consistent calm handling. I will give a load of written help to go with him.

I certainly think he could be an agility dog or do something constructive. I think he would be better as an only dog but that doesn't mean he couldn't be with another dog. He definitely must not go live with another excitable dog.

I wouldn't put him with children in a normal family situation and he would be better not living with teenagers or elderly people unless they are very experienced.

He is very likeable and really deserves a great home.”

©2008 Irish Retriever Rescue UK