Oh Minimu - I hope you can help. She is now totally rewriting the write up I did, based on his behaviour last Sunday and for the last couple of months (she has had him 3 months) as it was all positive. It has most certainly changed by he sound of things. Part of the problem may be that he will not get along with cats and small animals - and she rescues them all - so lives in the kitchen. I have no doubt he is loved and cared for at all, but he can't live in the house as a whole with the family. Her responses to your questions are below:
We have worked with james conroy before, but like I said we cant finacialy support this anymore..
In nottingham
the second time he wasnt rehomed, he was taken in by a couple rescuing him because he spent 2 years locked in a cage, fed through bars and beaten we think too. (I'm adding this - I know they took him to the vets to be PTS as they said he jumped up at them baring his teeth - the vet refused and this rescue were contacted. They have observed him to be lovely (not last 2 days) and have noted his top lip does get stuck on his teeth somewhat.)
He hardly barks.
When he first came in he showed signs of stress and fear, very clear body language of avoiding eye contact and looking away, lip licking, cowering and cautious.. No yawning though to defuse and ease a situation..
He is constantly sniffing the ground non stop!!
He knows sit, bring it, drop and leave it and now wait at door ways.. But only indoors. When out on walks everything is blanked out, he wont even respond to his name!
When he reacted on both times to me and the volunteer we was only walking and talking as normal, this happened out side and was a proper full on go, esp at me! he wasnt caged and was off the lead in a secured fenced and gated park. Nothing else happening, we were walking and talking as usual.
Nothing has changed at all, everything is done by routine and structure.
His coat is excellent as is his health (vet checked, neutered, vaccinated and chipped) (Again, this bit I'm adding - he won't have gone in the last couple of days - I know her as I'm trying to help them raise funds as they are in massive debt with the vet)
never shown any reactive behaviour at all since being here, this started last weekend with the dogs and yesterday with me and the volunteer..
When he first came we socialised him with alot of dogs, he was scared of bigger dogs, very clear body language but soon over come that and made lots of doggy friends. But last weekend that started changing for some reason and then he started lunging and going to attack them, even the female staffy he dotes on. The only dog he is still getting on with is the volunteers 14 year old male staffie cross.
When he first came in he would meet new people cautiously, again avoiding eye contact, lip licking.. We built his confidence up and after just a week he greeted new comers with a wagging tail and gentle confidence.
No he doesnt guard his food or bowl but can be protective over his toys which is why i taught him to bring it, drop it and leave it for me to pick up.
He can be groomed all over, let me check his teeth, ears and paws etc..
If it is possible for her to come see him in the home enviroment and also out on a walk that would be great.. Would this cost us though?
More of your thoughts would be much appreciated Minimu. Thanks a lot for your time.