Jasper Whyte

Jasper, a 2yrs old dachshund, is owned and loved by Joy & Victor and is living happily in Oxfordshire with his two doggy friends.

Sandie happened to be at training class when his owners arrived, handed over his lead and said that they were going on holiday and did not want him any more. They then walked out leaving Sandie holding his lead.

He was fostered by Pat & Dave until his forever mum came along. Apart from fostering and transporting, Pat used to do a brilliant job of finding homes for the Non Golden Retrievers that came our way.

UPDATE on JASPER 18.03.07 from JOY, his owner

I thought I would just update you about Jasper.

He has come on a long way – he now walks on a loose lead and will let nearly everything go past him. The only time we see a little of his old self is when he is with our other dogs walking outside, think it is the pack mentality!

We have just started training classes – as much for us as for him, I am of the opinion whoever had him before us just did not socialise him or take him out very much. A lot of his behaviour seems to stem from fear, and I have worked on getting him used to things when he is outside – other dogs, runners, bikes, buses, trucks – these were the things that brought about a real bout of attitude.

I can tell whenever he is worried about things through his demeanour and just try to soothe him with calming words, it seems to work!

He is much slower at eating his food now and will sometimes refuse a treat, I try to vary them as he can be quite picky at times – he has his favourites!

He is still possessive with toys but I either get him to swap for something he loves or just hold the item till he gets bored because there is no interaction. We have had a few chases around the house when he has got his hands on a cuddly object which he is not supposed to have.

He gives a standing up paw ( a bit like a Hiel Hitler salute), for things he wants – when I took him to the trainer last summer, he told me I had to make him do something for his treats, so giving the paw was the easiest as he used to hold it up sometimes anyway.

He still LOVES cats and furry things, but does not seem quite as fixated now when we are walking along and he sees one. If he were off the lead I am sure it would be a different story. We do let him off when we are in the park just across the road from us, he loves chasing after Rosie and they have a real rough and tumble, you can tell he is loving every bit of it due to his excited barking!

We still have problems with his skin and the separation anxiety (he does not make any mess or damage just howls the most heartbreaking noise ever!).

He is a brilliant little dog, he is so full of love, cuddles and personality – the people who handed him over and the couple who passed him back to you have missed out on the cutest little chap ever! He adores Victor (I am quite put out) and definitely prefers his lap to mine – but I still get a share of our little hot waterbottle.