Toby is an 11-year-old miniature poodle, but thinks he’s a lot younger as he has lots of energy and is always raring to go. He came to us because his elderly owner went into a home. He was was described as being a fussy eater and nervous around men, neither of which has turned out to be the case.

Energy Requirements:

Currently, he goes on two walks a day, 30-40 minutes each, but probably gets another 10,000 steps in by following you around the house! He could definitely go for longer walks if needed.

Previous and Current Training:

Toby doesn’t know the usual specific commands (sit, wait etc), however he knows “get down”, and his recall is really good in the house and garden.

Dog/Cat Test:

Not cat tested. He’s generally unbothered about other dogs but does like saying hello to smaller dogs and having a sniff. He will say hello to bigger dogs if they come up but probably wouldn’t make the first move.

At home, he’s quite bossy with our Labrador, and would be more than happy as an only dog, and that is what he has been used to in his last home.

Home Alone:

We haven’t needed to leave him very often and he has always had our dog for company. He doesn’t bark but sits on top of the sofa in the bay window looking out for us to come back. He gets very excited when he sees you and will bark until you get through the door.

Children and visitors:

The youngest child he’s encountered is a visiting 10 year old who he growled at. However, he has been fine outside around children. We would suggest a child free home or older dog savvy children. We have had multiple visitors and tradesmen, all whom he has been fine with.

Vet Visits:

He’s had 3 general anaesthetics for dental extractions, a wart like growth removal, and castration, so he’s understandably a little bit nervous, and will hide behind you, but he will let the vet examine him.

Medical Issues:

He has mitral valve disease (ACVIM stage B1), which doesn’t require any treatment currently, but it may require medication to manage in the future.

Travelling:

Initially, he was anxious in the car, but he will mostly settle in the back seat on his own now.

Pub/cafes:

We have taken him a couple of times to a pub/cafe. The most recent time we took him out for food, he was brilliant, he was interested in what was going on but after a bit he laid under my chair and settled.

Handling/Grooming:

He’s really easy to handle and groom, and we’ve had no issues with him except when trying to clean the dry gunk out of his eyes so you have to do that quickly or he will growl (understandably a sensitive area). However, we have managed to bath him multiple times, he’s been to the groomers, and we’ve brushed him at home.

Food:

He hasn’t liked any of the normal tinned or dry dog food, so we have been raw feeding him and he loves it. He will take a few biscuits now he’s had his dental work, but if he has too many he is sick. He’s only 5.5kg, and was losing weight to begin with but he couldn’t tolerate large meals so he has 3 small meals a day and seems to have stabilised nicely. He does have random episodes of vomiting occasionally, but there doesn’t seem to be an underlying cause.

He does now like cheese, cooked meats (ham/chicken) and licking the spoon when you’ve had Greek yoghurt!

Sleeping:

He currently sleeps on our bed, which is what he has always done, so this habit may be hard to break.

Behavioural issues:

He is house trained, as it’s clear he knows to go outside, however he has sometimes pooped overnight in the early hours. He has wee’d in the house, but we have solved this by using belly bands overnight. Since his castration we haven’t noticed him attempting to mark in the house.

Not a behavioural issue, but something to note – he didn’t like to be picked up at first but now if you warn him and he’s near you he will let you and is fine with it.

Home Needs:

He would ideally suit a home where he will get regular exercise, and will have someone at home with him most of the day. He’s been no trouble living with our dog, except being a bit bossy, however he would definitely be okay as an only dog!

Party tricks/skills:

Can easily snatch a toy off a 30kg Labrador!

He is a lovely little dog, and will be a great addition for his next and final home!

The only reason we aren’t keeping him is that we can’t commit to two dogs at this time, and we still want to be able to help Yappy with fostering going forward!

If you would like to be considered for Toby, please fill in an application form at yappyeverafter@org.uk