xxlynne
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Blake Shepx Rottie DOB 02.08 Gatwick (S) W Sussex KennelsBlake is coming to us today. One parent was pure shepherd and one parent was a Shepherd x Rotti. He was been living with his owner and his owners brother in a flat in London. They are being evicted and cant take him with them into relatives accomodation.
He has been around children but hasn't lived with them. He can be 'concerned when adults enter his home but once he has had a chance to settle he relaxes and is fine. He was attacked as a puppy and so has never really had full confidence with dogs but generally meets them fine. Owner has always had him muzzled in public because although he hasn't had a fight can get barky if a dog runs over.
Blake will need to be neutered and vax'd.
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xxlynne
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Blake was neutered today. He has done really well in the kennels and really taken to the girls. They had a bit of a scare this morning as they led me into a sense of security, I met Blake gently stroked him, he jumped up licked me on the face. Then after getting back down, obvious became a little wary or guardy and moved forwards and barked. Took us all by surprize. Then tonight the same happened in the vets, they bought him out without his muzzle saying how wonderful he was when a Labrador came in; no reaction then suddenly a move forwards and a double bark. We will explore him further and am sure he will build his trust further.
Forgot to take photos so was just leaving so knew Dee wouldn't be amused  so ran back and took 2.. Isn't he magnificant!
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Sharonr - Admin
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| Quote: | | Forgot to take photos so was just leaving so knew Dee wouldn't be amused so ran back and took 2.. Isn't he magnificant! |
Yep he is and I just know that Dee will be drooling! Down girl!
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xxlynne
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Blake went for 3 walks today..one on the muzzle just to build trust..he was upset 2 see a group of vol. dog walkers and 2 of our staffie friends but then sort reassurance and walked on.
Walk two off the muzzle just enjoying his solo walk, not reacting to traffic just seeing and being.
Walk three: initially on muzzle catching Ali12345 and vol dog walkers up with Polly and Daisy. Keen and receptive. Soon mingling in then caught up by Amber and Ozzie visiting shepherd types. Fell in with them really well..in fact muzzle came off and lead changed hands several times. Finale in paddock off lead with his new friends Ozzie and Amber 'cool' 'chilled' just sweet!!
 
 
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Sharonr - Admin
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Only three words ... drop dead gorgeous! 
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ali12345
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Blake is a stunning boy who I got to meet and walk today before he went off to his new home. He bonds very quickly and is desperate for some security. Mostly he walked nicely when there were no other dogs around but when he saw company he just wanted to play. A stunning boy and I am glad I got to meet him.
Hope he has a lovely time settling in with his beautifully rottie colour matched friend and she doesn't give him too much of a hard time. Look forward to hearing all of his adventures.
Alison
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Mycavyangels
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Sharonr - Admin
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OK lets start with the super star himself ... am posting these photos as I thought his new family might like them ... get ready to be WOW'D!
Blake with Ali12345:
 
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xxlynne
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Blake was returned today. He had a fabulous weekend and although he proved himself in so many areas he also showed that he isn't that all singing all dancing dog YET! He was off the muzzle in a crowded public area and he obviously got nervous about a person walking by close and snapped out catching their arm. It was a shock to all and he did draw blood. He has never been exposed to that kind of setting to our knowledge as he owner always muzzled him on his walks. He can get nervous with introductions and in the unfamilar. So sadly Blake has come back and he must be given slow careful rehab. to build his confidence, trust and skills up so he recognises he has no need to guard and protect.
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verb1301
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Thurs 20thHey guys well just a quick note to say Blake has settled in well so far few issues sorting out pack order and think Spud is bit up set that he doesnt have me to himself anymore, will keep you posted but so far so good.
He was a great traveller in the horsebox and really enjoyed being up high where he could see lots. Think he is a little bit in love with Vixen but in a good way. She is a great role model.
first afternoon here and already chilling out
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xxlynne
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Thank you Victoria , Vixen Dudley and Spud. Just know that Blake's confidence will grow so well with you as Spud's did.
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ali12345
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So glad to hear Blake is with you
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Sharonr - Admin
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Great news. That should get him on track and ready for his forever home!
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xxlynne
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Am delighted to announce Blake has moved into his new home. He is sharing his life with a rather wonderful 'Battersea babe' who had more extreme issues than Blake in her first few years and has since settled. Dee has just informed me Blake has gone to bed early tonight..a sign how relaxed he is in his new family.
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Sharonr - Admin
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Great news
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karen
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 So pleased He looks like such a gorgeous boy, with his Zoro Mask
I hope we have loads more pictures and up dates
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flicka
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what wonderful news about Blake!
fingers crossed that this is 'the one'
jean x
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xxlynne
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Blake spent over 2 weeks in this home but he seemed to be losing his confidence and his owners were losing confidence in him, setting up a declining cycle. We all felt the best thing was for him to return to Victoria where he was happy and improving alongside very confident dogs. He needs this stability for at least 6 weeks before we would consider putting him up for homing again. He is a puppy and unskilled and needs guidance and assurance and is doing really well since being back in Donnington Castle!
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newie244
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BlakeI took Blake out 1st on Friday morning in the company of Alison and her new greyhound Levi.
Having met Blake briefly on Thursday I knew what to expect, bouncing around and barking, but none of that at all, he came out of his kennel and as soon as he saw the harness he sat down quietly and let me slip the harness on him, likewise the muzzle.
Outside, he was a bit unsure of Levi and had a little bark at him, but a reassuring word in his ear calmed him down and as soon as the pair started walking together he was fine.
On the walk he was great, not too pully, walked alongside Levi without incident. We stopped and talked to a local lady who was out walking and Blake showed no signs of nervousness or aggression.
As we approached the cattle at the far end of the walk he became a little wary especially when one came right up to the fence, I had him on the other side of the road but Blakey had a small barking session and pull on the lead. At the halfway point I could see several hundred school children on some sort of walk, so I decided Blake might not be quite ready for that, so we watched from a distance for 5 minutes and he was fine.
On the way back was the 1st time I was suprised by him, we were walking along with Alison and Levi, and a man carrying a bag walked towards us on the other side of the road, Blake suddenly reared up and started barking at the man, fortunately I had him on a shortish lead so there was no danger but the man was a bit suprised.
Halfway back we stopped and watered the dogs so I removed the muzzle for a while, Blake had a lovely time rolling about and being fussed. I then noticed another man walking down the road towards us carrying a guitar on his back, Blake saw him but I continued to stroke him and talk to him quietly and Blake never reacted to the man at all, maybe the reassurance of contact made him feel less insecure, I'm not sure, but I'll bear it in mind when I'm out walking him in future it seemed to work.
The rest of the walk was perfect, the two boys walked along side by side without a care in the world.
Blakey is a handsome dog, he obviously has a few issues but the right owner with the time and patience would benefit him beyond measure.
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ali12345
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Walked Blake today with my daughter. At first all was well but after a bunch of 4 or 5 cars passed he took exception to 1 of them and barked. after that he was wary of cars. Some he stopped nicely for - others he didn't like the look of at all. I hoped that with a nice walk he would settle but although he was fine when no-one was around he was not keen on bicycles cars or people even if they had dogs. I am not sure if he gained more confidence from being with Mark or from being with Levi who is very calm walking. Hopefully Mark will find him calmer when he walks him next. That aside he was a calm boy who looks to you for guidance. He needs someone with confidence who can give him back his confidence in life.
If there is another lovely knowledgeable foster or adoptive home out there for this boy - please step forward, you will be rewarded ten fold by seeing such a beautiful young boy blossom into a happy adult dog.
Alison
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xxlynne
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Yes Blake if he gets nervous will jump up, with firm reassurance he gains his footing again. He needs a confident owner who believes in him, that feeds his core then he relaxes.
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newie244
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BlakeOver the weekend I spoke about Blake to an ex-colleague who is a dog trainer, I explained the problems he seems to have and the 1st thing the man said was, he’s not an aggressive dog. He went on to explain that Blake is nervous and probably hasn’t been very well socialised, he said that dogs have two ways of dealing with being scared, either flight or fight, as a dog is on the end of a lead he cannot run away so he puffs himself up and barks to say ‘stay away from me’.
The trainer also said that a muzzle is also part of the problem, it causes frustration in the dog, which can be perceived to be aggression.
After receiving a few pointers I took Blake out this morning, initially there were a few problems, bumping into Buster coming home was one, then a large tractor hedge cutting.
After that things settled, Blake walks perfectly next to you, he will walk to heel, even to the point where he bumps into your leg.
When I saw any traffic approaching I shortened the lead and ‘checked’ him, then I continued to talk to and reassure him, he watched the traffic go past from behind my legs, he seemed to be fine until a cyclist flew past, although he was behind my legs he still tried to lurch towards the bike. This was systematic of the remainder of the walk, most of the time he was fine, then every now and then he would start barking at vehicles, it got less the longer the walk went on but it was still there.
When I stopped to water him, he was so calm it was unbelievable, when I made a fuss of him; he started rolling about on his back like a puppy, he even got to the point of licking my head and neck, certainly not an aggressive animal.
I think Blake is young and un-socialised, he does have some issues but nothing that can’t be worked out, following my conversation with the trainer he is convinced his problems are nothing out of the ordinary, I will endeavour to help him overcome his problems and may even see if I can take him to a couple of classes to assist.
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xxlynne
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Lovely to see Blake with Mark today. Everyone that has ever met Blake knows in their heart this dog is going to come through and with the right support such as Mark is giving (or a confident owner) ..all the sooner
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xxlynne
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Blake is now in foster with Rachel in an attempt to settle his energy with nightly walks. He is devoted to Rachel and gets on very well with Stan. So grateful to Rachel for helping Blake out in this way...but then she loves him
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Sharonr - Admin
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Wonderful news. Thank you Rachel
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Rachel
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Well blake has been here a few nights now an he is such a beautiful boy.he is so willing to please 2 get lots ov praise.wen i took him for his first walk with me he was lungin at cars and bikes so i was keeping him very close an shouting leave it if he did it.at first he couldnt understand y i was the one shouting because i just used to chase him around the paddock playing.lol.but anything that he didnt lunge/jump/bark at got a lot ov praise.........
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Rachel
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And yesterday wen i took him out he didnt lunge or bark at anyone or anything even though we went down a busier road.he did bark an jump at my step brother though on first meeting him but was fine by last nite.we r gna just keep wrkin through it al
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newie244
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BlakeI took Blake out yesterday in the pouring rain, after our setback last week I bought a halti for him.
When I got him out of the kennel he seemed full of beans and pleased to see me, I got him to sit and he waited patiently while I fitted the halti securely, I led him around the paddock so he'd get used to it, after a couple of protest tugs he seemed fine so we set off.
On the walk he was very good, on approach of traffic I checked him with a small tug on the halti to distract him from the cars and there was no attempt to lurch. Several cars passed with no reaction, there was a small growl at a male walker with a rucksack who walked past us, but again, with a quick tug on the halti and a 'leave it' he was fine.
The rest of the walk passed without incident until we got to the kennels, cars whizzing past in the rain spooked him a little, but reassurance and the halti controlled it.
I got a towel out of the back of my car and when I put him back in the kennel I dried my head and face off then spent a couple of minutes drying Blake off, by the time I'd finished he looked twice the size with his fur sticking up  I made a huge fuss of him just before I went and he responded really well.
If the right home could be found with a confident wilful owner, the benefit to this boy would be amazing, and the owner would be rewarded with a loyal and loving companion.
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xxlynne
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Thanks to everyone for believing in him. He will rise in stature with this trust.
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newie244
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BlakeI took Blakey out for the last time today  He is really good to get the halti now, he doesn't protest at all either.
On the walk he doesn't lurch at cars and vans at all, even when a car came under the bridge and sounding it's horn! The halti works brilliantly with him, a quick tug will break his attention if he sees vehicles approaching. He did have a growl at Shiva today from the other side of the road but otherwise he was perfect.
Rachel is giving Blake regular walks/training using a halti and he is already a different dog to the one I met a few ago. A few months intensive training and he'll make the perfect companion.
Good Luck Dude 
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xxlynne
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Blake came into kennels today at Gatwick (S). He has been fostered by Rachel at Croydon Kennels. He developed 'an eye infection' which was meant to be seen by a vet on Monday or Tuesday. When Andy still hadn't been able to take him on Tuesday evening I and Julie went over to take him ourselves. We were very concerned when we saw his eye, which obviously was troubling him. The vet said he had a corneal ulcer covering the whole right eye. He is now on 2 eye lotions 2x and 3 x a day. Sue (Kennel owner) met him and they gelled immediately. She was treat giver whilst I applied the 2 lotions. Mission accomplished which was oh so simple!
Blake was very good today meeting everyone and every dog perfectly. Yes he would have biten the vet when pocking things in his eye but his muzzle mellowed their relationship, which actually was really good until the "too up close and intrusive" part.
Delighted with Blake. Rachel has obviously put a lot of work in..which we will contiinue as our time allows. Rachel has promised to do a write up on his thread about her approach and achievements... played with a 9 yr old child on the weekend!
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EmmaSemple
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Interesting that he wasn't seen by the vet sooner. Ulcers are very painful.
Never mind. He is in the best place possible now.
Emma
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ali12345
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Said hello to Blake through his kennel door. He recognised me and my daughter and was very excited when I was in with Zebedee. Hope to try taking him out again soon. I think he is bemused at the moment by all that has happened and doesn't seem keen to run round the paddock, just stands by the gate waiting. 
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xxlynne
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Blake's eye is improving thankfully.
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xxlynne
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Blake was taken by Julie today to do trust exercises and general training. These are 2 pictures of them 'at work ' in the middle of the field whilst I walked dogs around them.
We adminitered his eye which was a struggle but then he suddenly relaxed and surrendered. It is improving but still evident.
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reclaimingrebus
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Blake is very quick to learn, and very light on the lead until he focuses on something. I found that if I then held his collar instead of tugging on the lead and spoke confidently to him, getting his attention back on me he was fine.
Stunning looking boy
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xxlynne
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Blake having a game of footie..but the light was fading..
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xxlynne
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What wonderful friends we have in our kennels. Sue reported tonight that on close examination Blake's eye seems to be completely healed. She will apply oinment for a couple of more days but then Blake will be free!!!!!! of treatments. Apparently he was very submissive today and hence she was able to have a good look!
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xxlynne
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Everytime I take Blake out I'm reminded this dog never had a garden and what a pleasure he gets from running in the paddock
He is a magnificent beast..with a truly wonderful temperment.
He had a lovely run around the paddock and a short walk today
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reclaimingrebus
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Blake is much calmer in kennels , and will sit nicely when you talk to him. I like him very much, and think he has a lot of potential.
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ali12345
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Took Blake on a lovely walk today. It was quiet and he was quite relaxed. He is a handsome lad who walks nicely on the lead and keeps his eye on you. He quite happily negotiated the stiles and was fine with the sheep and cows in the fields we passed. Lots more calm experiences will help but he needs the security of an owner or fosterer to really develop. He needs someone to help him negotiate his way through the scarey world outside and give him confidence. Careful handling will see him blossom. So much potential in this boy.
Alison
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xxlynne
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Struck me today..Blake is going to be such a wonderful dog. Choose between a factory made cake and a homemade cake .. special ingredients .. there is no choice! Yes the homemade cake needs time .. is more expensive for the quality of ingredients .. but the enjoyment, the admiration and sheer joy! So we are looking for a high quality cook; a maestro in the kitchen 2010 Master Chef apply within!
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