ID No.: D.15.21

Age: 7 years old

Sex: Male

Breed: Smooth fox terrier

Colour: White and black

Reason In: Unwanted pet - I cannot be rehomed to St Austell as this is where I came from.

Can I live with Dogs?

No - I am looking for a home with no other animals.

Can I live with Cats?

No - I am looking for a home with no cats, birds or other small animals.

Can I live with Children?

Yes - I am suitable to live with a family with older children (14+). This includes visiting children.

Hello terrier lovers, I’m Bilbo.

I’d like to start by telling you about what happened to me before I was rescued and taken to safety here at Gables. I was found living in a dirty crate where I was being kept for 23 hours a day. I was found with my 3 puppies and their mother. Our needs were not being met both physically and emotionally which has left us frustrated, stressed and full of energy. Unfortunately my forever home is yet to be found despite me being at Gables for quite a while now. I have come a long way in my rehabilitation since then and I am a much calmer and more affectionate boy than I used to be.

I am super motivated by toys and these are a great way to keep me busy when I get a bit too over excited. I do enjoy a bit of rough play with humans which can lead to gentle mouthing but this isn’t an unusual behaviour for any dog when they are very excited. I’ve really learnt to enjoy affection since being here and I’ve been known to sit in a lap now and again too. Despite my macho exterior I quite like being held like a baby too. But shhh, don’t tell my friends.

Food is another love of my life. I’m a clever boy and I can already sit, beg and lie down when I’m asked to. Being motivated by food makes training much easier and I would love to learn loads of new things once I am settled into my forever home. I’m a very intelligent boy and I think we could have a lot of fun together when we are training.

Fox terriers in general are a very clever bunch and we need lots of input both physically and mentally. I love getting enrichment boxes here and I enjoy going for sniffy walks which keeps my mind active.

When I arrived at Gables I was not at all socialised with dogs leaving me frustrated and unable to say hello nicely. However I have been gradually exposed to dogs here and I have learnt how to greet politely out and about. I have come such a long way with my socialisation although on the very odd occasion there is still a dog that I take exception too. To protect me from getting into trouble I will need to stay on the lead in public places and wear a muzzle. I’ve been properly muzzle trained here and it doesn’t worry me in the slightest. To give me a good run off lead without a muzzle in safety you could book a rentable dog paddock such as Pawprints Hazelmere Farm in Ivybridge.

I am looking to meet someone who has owned terriers or similar before. Due to my sheltered past I will need a lot of help settling into a new home. With the right help, space and guidance I know I can be the goodest boy. I just need you to be understanding and patient while I adjust. When I first came here and for a few months afterwards I used to be grabby when I became over stimulated. This means that I would grab hold of the lead or the closest humans clothing, usually sleeves. This was my coping mechanism as I just didn’t know what to do when the world became over whelming. I don’t do this anymore as I have learnt better ways to deal with stress, including collecting a toy when I have a desire to hold something in my mouth. There is a very small chance this could happen again in the future while I adjust to my new life. Although I have always been a good boy when I see the vet I do wear my muzzle, just in case the experience causes this grabbing behaviour to return.

I am really excited about the next chapter of my life and I hope that if you have the experience I need, that you will fill out an application form. I know that taking on a dog like me will be a huge commitment and plenty of hard work but with the right training methods (positive only) and the right amount of exercise I know I can be a very enjoyable companion to have around. You’ll need a secure garden with 5ft high fencing throughout for me to play in as when I am in public places I will need to remain on a lead.