Chisel

About Chisel

Brief Summary of Personality: Chisel is a spaniel who has a heart of gold and once he knows you, he just wants to be close to you all the time, just like a little shadow. He will happily jump on your lap and push his little face into yours and seek those belly tickles. Chisel happily switches off when you are busy with other things and is happy to lay at your feet and fall asleep, any time of the day, regardless of any activity he has had beforehand or not. Chisel takes himself off to his crate when he wants to or when he is told to and will sleep right through the night until around 7.30 am. Chisel loves a tennis ball or his comfort toy, which he will trot around the house with, carrying it with such proudness. Chisel is house trained and is great in the garden. When Chisel finds a scent, he can find it difficult to refocus, but this is something the fosterer is working on. He loves the beach and happily takes himself in for a swim. Chisel is walked at quieter times during the day due to his nervousness and reactiveness to other dogs and sometimes people. Chisel comes across as a sweet boy who loves a fuss, but only on his terms, when he has worked out and accepted that you are a safe person. Chisel instantly took to his fosterer and there have been no issues, however, if Chisel doesn’t know someone and if they are a stranger, he will show his nervousness by barking and lunging at them. Currently, this behaviour is being worked on with the use of various methods although it is a work in progress. Chisel is so well behaved in the home, with no fuss and can be left in his crate for a few hours although initially he will whine and bark for about 2 minutes and then fall asleep.

Reasons for Relinquishment: Previous owner had a change in working hours and were unable to give Chisel the time he needed.

Energy Requirements: Chisel’s energy requirements are that of a spaniel, who loves a good run and enjoys the technical challenges like hiding treats in garden and then going to find them. He loves learning new tricks and enjoys his obedience training. Even if you don’t manage to walk him on certain days, Chisel will not get hyped up and remains calm and goes to sleep as if he had been out all day. Chisel is very relaxed in the house and behaves without any issues. He is a very pleasant boy at home.

Previous and Current Training: Chisel is still learning, he knows basic commands like sit, down, paw and wait and will go to his crate when asked. His recall is generally good but he can still get distracted and lead walking is a work in progress. On the long line, he is good at recall during ball play. As yet, Chisel has not been off the lead completely, except in a confined garden area.

Meeting New People: Chisel does require close attention when he is around new people, whether that is at home or out and about. He will bark and lunge if the person shows any signs of making a fuss of him although if they stand still and keep their hands in their pockets, Chisel will sniff them out and come to them on his terms. The use of treats and a ball distracts him from this behaviour and he has recently met new people and shown improvement with this. Chisel will require continued work and support from behaviourist trainers.

Dog/ Cat Test: Chisel does not do well with dogs on walks and has had multiple episodes of lunging and barking towards them. Currently we are working on positive reinforcement training within his threshold and if he has his ball, he will generally ignore them. In foster, there is a resident 14 year old springer and Chisel has met him and there were no issues although because of his reactiveness, it would better if he was an only dog in the home.

Home Alone: Chisel is left in a crate when home alone and he happily puts himself in his crate and settles nicely after about 5 minutes of whining. He is excited when you come back.

Children: Chisel is the same with children as he is with adults he doesn’t know and because of this, it is better if he lived in a home without children.

Vet Visits: Chisel was very nervous at the vets and sticks close to you like sticky tape. Chisel was happy to be examined but this is generally made difficult due to him wanting to climb on top of you for safety. He has had his boosters and didn’t flinch at the injection. Chisel showed no aggression at all, he was just nervous. It is preferable to take him to the vets at quieter times, so there is limited interaction with other dogs.

Medical Issues: Chisel has no known medical issues.

Travelling: Chisel travels in a cage in the van and is happy to do so. Chisel knows as soon as he gets to the van, he jumps straight in and pops himself into his crate.

Handling/Grooming: Chisel is happy to be handled and groomed in foster without any issues although he has not been tested at a groomers. He loves being brushed and also loves the hair dryer.

Food: Chisel enjoys his food and is currently fed on Taylors Lamb & rice without any issues.

Sleeping: Chisel currently sleeps in his crate downstairs and sleeps all night without a problem.

Behavioural issues: Chisel does show nervousness and reaction when meeting new people and other dogs. This behaviour is being worked on although he will need further training and support.

Bite History: Chisel had one bite incident while on lead indoors. A visitor tried to make a fuss of him while the fosterer's attention was off guard and Chisel lunged and caught their hand. Chisel must be on a tight lead when meeting new people along with the use of treats, which can resolve the issue. Once he knows they are not a danger, he will be their best friend but don't assume once he has met them that he will remember them, caution is needed at all times unless you are his family at home and in that case, he is absolutely fine.

Home Needs: Chisel requires a home with an experienced owner, who fully understands Chisel's body language, specifically when meeting people and other dogs out and about. Chisel would like a medium to quiet home with limited visitors, and would love a large garden to exercise in and use during his training and ongoing reactiveness training needs. Chisel at home, is one of the best behaved dogs his foster has hosted. He is affectionate and loves a fuss. He has some behavioural issues that need continued work and this is achievable in the right hands and with the right person. If Chisel can have this, he will give you so much love and be your companion for life.

As written by Spaniel Aid.