Sanson

MAY 2018

Pady and Sanson are the luckiest boys – their fosterer, Hayley, has fallen in love with them and has adopted them so they won’t be going anywhere.

WE ARE DELIGHTED THE BOYS ARE STAYING PUT   

It came as no surprise to anyone but it was to the delight of us all that Hayley joined the ranks of “failed” fosterers and Pady and Sanson are staying with them forever. She tells us “The boys are coming along and have settled in very well within our family.  They have at times been a challenge, I can’t deny that, and it’s been double trouble when they have their moments! However, that said, they really have come so far from how they first arrived with us. Although Pady is still very nervous when meeting new people and tends to hide behind or underneath an object, peeking out to see what his brother is doing and if the coast is clear, he is now very gradually edging forward after watching Sanson pave the way. 

They are very loving boys and are learning their manners. However, they can be quite high energy, probably the Collie in them, and Pady is most definitely the ring leader! (Our garden looks like a bit like a dirt track right now with their daily mad half hours and most of my beautiful Bluebells and Lily of the Valley are no longer upright)!

We do still have some separation anxiety with them when we leave them for short periods but I’m so pleased to say, though, this is now improving through practice and our perseverance, especially at night time. We have had several nights in a row now so fingers crossed it’s working. They do still soil indoors from time to time, but it’s usually when we are not with them.

My daughter, who is at University, came home after not seeing the boys for a few weeks and she was amazed at their progress. They are receiving lots of time, patience, love and care from us all and this has made such a difference to them, although they are still very untrusting of new people. I think even this will change as time goes along. They love car journeys and are good on the lead but they are a bit over-excited when meeting other dogs and cats are definitely a no-no! 

They have become very much part of our family and, through all of the challenges, we are now coming out the other side. At first, we were lulled into a false sense of security and they were reasonably calm but, once they found their feet (mainly Pady’s feet)! we came to experience barking excessively, running mad (chewing and breaking my husband’s glasses, chewing through the Internet and telephone lines, they pooped and wee weed on the sofas, pulled down part of my lovely Laura Ashley curtains and we had lots of sleepless nights). 

However, I cannot tell you how far they have come along now. We have given them a family, so much time, patience and love and they have learnt many new things and positive behaviours. Bearing in mind I do not think that they had lived in a home previously, they had a lot to learn.  We still have a way to go especially with Pady’s nervousness and anxiety but, my goodness, how they have progressed.

We hadn’t expected to fall in love with two little fur babies! I did tell everyone at the outset, this was not going to happen! Our aim was to help as many dogs as possible to ‘give back’ to the breed for all the wonderful and amazing years we had with our beautiful and oh so gentle Golden boy ‘Hennessy’ who sadly passed away a year ago this Sunday and, one day, when the time was right, the plan was to then welcome another little Golden Retriever puppy from our breeder to our home and do this alongside fostering. Due to two little boys and their journey getting into our hearts, those plans have now changed!

We have been on such a journey with the boys that we would love to give them the stable home they need and deserve after the obvious traumatic time they appear to have had.  We feel it would be detrimental to their development to set them back by having to learn to trust all over again and specifically bearing in mind their separation anxiety issues. We would like to help the boys and build on the amazing steps forward we have made with them”. 

HISTORY

Pady and Sanson are two drop dead gorgeous 15mth old neutered Golden Retriever Crosses. They have both undergone full health checks and have received all the necessary vaccinations for them to acquire their Pet Passports.

Lorraine wrote “Whilst we’re not an International Rescue and obviously concentrate our efforts in Ireland, we do on occasion help the odd overseas dog. In 2017, we imported 2 dogs from outside of Ireland and the UK and we were recently asked by the same Spanish rescuer if we could help a pair of young brothers who were surrendered to a Pererra (pound) with “permission to sacrifice”. The boys travelled in luxury and even had a nanny in the back of the transport with them for the entire journey to ensure their welfare”. On arrival in the UK, the two boyswent into foster with Hayley.

ON ARRIVAL AND EARLY DAYS

Hayley tells us “Pady and Sanson, the ‘joined at the hip’ little brothers, arrived with us just 4 days ago now after their journey from Valencia, Spain.I have to say that IRR used a superb transport company to bring the boys over and they had been given a very large crate indeed to travel in, with a lot of room to manoeuvre, which was great, and there were not many dogs onboard either. The drivers were the most kind and caring men who looked after all of the dogs really  well, with regular walks and re-assurance. They even provided updates, including photos and a video clip, so we didn’t worry about them. The dogs seemed to love them!”

Despite their good treatment, the boys were, understandably, extremely nervous and timid when they first met with their fosterers and both boys ran into the dining room with Pady hiding under the table.  Sanson went to Hayley’s husband for a re-assuring stroke and Pady came out and walked a step forward too before retreating back under the table. Sanson was the bolder of the two. Pady stayed hidden for a while but, very gradually, attempted to venture out. 

Hayley explained “We took the boys to the garden on leads then, having closed the dining room door, we lead them from the garden to the lounge, where we had set up their beds, so as to introduce them to where they would be sleeping.  Pady went straight to his bed but Sanson preferred the floor.  As this did not change, we placed a duvet on the floor and Sanson seemed very happy and content sleeping here. I slept on the sofa that night, just to settle and re-assure them, but they slept just fine and didn’t wake.

Over the past few days, we have seen the boys grow in trust and confidence with us, with Sanson still being the slightly bolder of the two.  He always steps forward as Pady stays a little further back (unless a treat is involved) when Pady is right up the front of the queue!”

HEALTH

Pady is in good health and has a lovely thick coat and bright eyes. He has, however, been biting the base of his tail from time to time.  Pady does pant quite a lot of the time, hence we sometimes call him ‘Paddy Pants’

.Sanson is in good health. He is eating and drinking well although he does eat less than his bigger brother, Paddy, whilst still loving a treat. He is on the thin side and does need to put some weight on, which we are working on, but this will come right over time I’m sure.   Sanson is toileting well and regularly and also sleeps really well and peacefully, with his brother in his bed by his side!

 SOCIAL LEARNING

TRAVEL: They enjoy travelling in the car.

BASIC TRAINING: I don’t believe Sanson or Pady have received much, if any, basic training, however, they are both very quick to learn. Although they do not respond to their names,   within the 4 days we have had them, we managed to teach the boys to sit and the down command.  They also understand no! This is amazing so far!

The boys are fine with household appliance noises and also with road traffic sounds, apart from loud motorbikes, but that goes for me too!

HOUSETRAINING: Apart from the first night when they both ‘pooped’ in the dining room, they have learned to toilet outside. 

IN THE GARDEN: Sanson and Pady love the garden, especially for playtime!   At times, they do like to chase each other at speed but they are only young so that’s to be expected and it’s nice to see them enjoying themselves.

They do sometimes bark and whimper in the garden but, generally, it’s when they hear a car door close or there are people walking by.  At first, they ran and hid when hearing these noises but, now, they handle these things much better after a little re-assurance.

Sanson and Pady are not the greatest at listening when in the garden just yet but things are all new and exciting and they have only been here for 4 days.  I’m sure this will change in time as other things have already.   

RESOURCE GUARDING: There are no signs of resource guarding. Both boys love their toys, especially their new teddies, which they sleep with. Paddy and Sanson have good manners when we are eating dinner, they come to see what you are doing and then leave the room if you don’t acknowledge them, which is amazing. Pady and his brother mostly do the same things at the same time. Pady and Sanson have not chewed anything so far and just play with their toys and amuse themselves with each other.  

SEPARATION ANXIETY: Sanson, in particular, has displayed some separation anxiety when either my husband or myself leaves the house and has a whimper by the door and appears agitated.  Pady gets a little anxious and comes to see what’s going on but he does seem to settle. They sleep well alone and have not woken in the night or attempted to climb the stairs.  

LEADWALKING: Sanson and Pady both walk very well on a slip lead.

Pady is does not pull and walks nicely beside you, taking in all of his new surroundings. He appears quite well socialised and he doesn’t chase the birds of which there are many on the beach. Pady is fine walking beside a road with traffic noises.

Sanson walks nicely next to you although he does sometimes cross over sides. I think this is just down to him wanting to explore his new environment and we are working on this with him

ADULTS: Pady does take a while to get used to people and he still needs to learn to trust but he is very friendly once he knows someone.

Sanson and his brother are very nervous when they meet new people and only trust someone they are familiar with at the moment. They tend to stay together for support at these times, Pady more so for Sanson’s support than the other way around.

CHILDREN:  We haven’t tested Sanson or Pady with children as yet although I understand they had been tested in Spain with children and were fine. 

DOGS:  They have, briefly, met other dogs, and they seemed ok with. Pady seems pretty chilled out with other dogs, but is very unsure of new people.

CATS:  I don’t get the impression Sanson or Pady are fans of cats as, when opening the door to the garden and seeing our neighbour’s cat paying a visit, they both very quickly darted after him. I think the cat just used up one of his nine lives so I’m not sure we’ll be seeing him for a while! I understood that Sanson and Pady were being cat tested in Spain so, maybe, they were just startled. 

THEIR DREAM HOME

The most important thing is that the boys find a loving home together with people who will help them to carry on building up their trust and who will continue with their positive training.

Hayley says “I could not envisage these two boys living apart as, I feel sure, it would be detrimental to the development of both of them and they would miss each other so much. They very much rely on each other as a pair and I’m sure they will bring lots of rewarding times as a little double act, growing in confidence by learning from each other!

SANSON

 Sanson is an adorable, sweet little boy, who relies on his brother Pady, as Pady does him. They play and live together very well and very much rely on each other as a pair. Sanson, in particular, has displayed some separation anxiety when either we leave the house. He has a whimper by the door and appears agitated. 

PERSONALITY

Sanson is an adorable little boy, very gentle, sweet natured and affectionate, but he is quite timid and a little nervous.  However, during the four days Sanson and Paddy have been with us, we have already noticed such a change in them both, which is amazing to see. 

They seem very happy boys and are getting a little more confident each day.  All the love, patience and care we are all giving them is seemingly working. He is a wonderful little boy, with a lovely gentle nature, but he does need some time love and patience to enable him to become more trusting and confident!   He and his Brother Paddy are joined at the hip though and do everything together and play together really well in both the house and garden. It’s quite comical to watch their heads move at the same time in the same direction when startled by a noise. Sanson is the more relaxed of the two boys and loves affection. Sanson is a little beauty, so gentle, very friendly and affectionate and comes to you for lots of strokes and cuddles, he can be a little needy and if you stop stroking him he will sometimes try to stand up on you on his front paws, so as to keep your attention, but he gets down when you say “no”. Sanson can be a little needy at times but it’s early days and who doesn’t like a cuddle! 

UPDATE ON SANSON AFTER A FEW WEEKS OF FOSTER

Sanson is a very gentle, sweet boy but he is very timid with new people.  He really has come a long way forward since he arrived with us and has received much love, patience and time from our family in his new life after arriving from Spain. 

He has become far more trusting and is working well in his new routine. He has been out in the car on trips on a number of occasions and travels very well by car, loving sitting up and watching the world go by out of the window. I have been amazed by how long he sits up to see what’s going on along the way.

We have tried to introduce Sanson and Pady to more social situations this week and also, due to their trust issues, visiting family with them, leaving them to wander around in our view and, whilst sitting in the gardens of family, have left the boys to wander and come to people at their pace.  This worked well with Sanson, although apprehensive for a while, he eventually felt brave enough to come up to people for attention (and he received lots of it I can tell you). He is so sweet but his brother Pady had other ideas and found a number of places to hide, just his nose or two little eyes peeping out! 

Sanson has been progressing well in so many ways; however, he does seem to have some separation anxiety issues and sometimes has a whimper when we go up to bed.  He also, (however many times he is let out to toilet) seems to still manage to have a wee or poop at nighttime. The dogs are fed twice a day and the last time at 5pm and let out quite late to toilet also.  Sanson has been toileting well when taken outside but has had some incidents indoors this week, mainly at night once we have all gone to bed.  The boys have managed to chew a few things at night time, including the internet line and my Husband’s glasses! but that seems to be becoming less (don’t speak too soon)! 

I don’t know how this would be if the boys were left for long periods of time.  Both dogs do tend to bark in unison when hearing absolutely any noises in the garden so that can be a bit full on, but we are working with them on this by re-assuring them and it again appears to be improving as , it seems, they are just anxious.

Sanson and Pady need a home where they have access to much time, patience (lots of it), and of course lots of love and stability.  I do not feel that the boys can be left for long periods of time as I feel they may ‘find things to do’ and leave some little surprises to greet you when you come home!  Sanson is a very sweet, gentle boy though; who I feel with more time and training will become a wonderful addition to any home.

Sanson is a sweet boy and he is taking well to training. He will now sit, down, will stay, understands “no” and takes a treat nicely and gently.   Sanson does not play with his toys as much as his brother but he doesn’t have much choice as Pady is always stealing them and taking them to his bed!  I have, however, bought them some ‘antlers’ to chew on and both dogs love them. Sanson and his brother Pady have one each of the same toys but like to pick up one toy, tug at it together and chase each other for ownership!

 We have not experienced any aggressive behaviour towards us or anyone who Sanson has come into contact with. He is the more trusting of the two dogs and will, whilst apprehensive at first, generally gets used to someone new after a little while, providing there are no sudden movements or noises. This is in complete contrast to his brother Pady, who becomes very nervous every time he meets someone new and likes to run and hide, especially under the table! 

Sanson and his brother like to play-fight and chase each other at 90 miles an hour, this is usually a couple of times a day, but they look just like puppies when they do this. Although it can be a bit full on, they are enjoying themselves! They wear each other out and then flop down to sleep, they don’t hurt each other at all. 

Sanson is a sweet natured, gentle little boy who is learning and responding to training and he listens well.  He craves lots of attention, absolutely adores cuddles and would sit there all day being stroked if he had his way so much so that both he and his brother make a beeline for you when you sit down and jostle for position in your affections! 

Sanson, although timid, has a lovely nature, is very gentle and loves a cuddle but beware as, once you have started, he won’t let you stop and tries to actually sit on your lap, bless him. He has taken time to trust us and we are really more or less there with him now. He seems to love us all and I believe that, having learned to trust us a family, has helped him so much to grow in other areas.  He does listen most of the time, which is great progress from when he first arrived, but he can be influenced by his brother Pady into occasionally misbehaving and copying him! 

Sanson and Pady arrived with absolutely no manners or training and appear to have missed out on any kind of affection. I am also not sure that they had lived indoors either. Sanson is the more forward of the two in terms of learning and trusting but he is still a ‘work in progress’ who is coming along nicely.