Wilbur is a 2 year old male Deerhound Cross. Stunning Wilbur originally came into our care in November after he was found abandoned. He was adopted in January but has sadly been returned to us due to separation anxiety. When Wilbur first came to us he was a very sweet natured boy, who just loved to be near you. It was clear to see that being abandoned had left him very insecure and needy. Sadly this developed into severe separation anxiety in his new home, Wilbur loved his new family so much that he went into a frenzy of panic whenever they left him on his own which resulted in him being destructive and toileting in the home. As we do not know Wilbur’s history it is likely that he has never even lived in a home environment before this.
Wilbur will benefit from a patient and experienced owner who is around for most/all of the day to help him settle in and feel secure again. He is only a young boy who has already endured so much upheaval in his short life that it is not surprising that he now has some behavioral issues as a result of this. In general Wilbur is a friendly, excitable boy but he can become easily worried and will wet himself or cower at raised voices. We really do not know what Wilbur went through before coming to us but we can only guess that he was not treated very well.
When Wilbur originally came to us he mixed well with other dogs but sadly became reactive to some dogs whilst out walking in his last home. He was also very reactive when we tried to introduce him to a dog here at the rescue and therefore we are looking for a home where he can be the only dog. He did respond well to the cats in our cattery when he was last here but this is something that we would need to re-test to indicate whether or not he could live with cats in his new home.
Wilbur did live with an older child in his last home but he can be a nervous/timid boy and does not respond well to loud noises. Despite always having a wonderful temperament with all of the staff at the centre Wilbur was reported to have growled at the child in his last home and for this reason he will need an adult only home without visiting children or any children planned for the future. Wilbur is a large dog and will need an owner capable of exercising him. His previous family did find that he became reactive on walks and they often struggled to walk him, however we have found no issues here at the rescue provided that he is walked in quiet areas.
Wilbur’s new owner must be prepared to make several trips to and from the rescue in order to form a bond with him before adoption, this will then progress into a slow introduction into the home so please bare your location in mind before you inquire about him. Our behaviourist will be on board to help with any advice and his new owner must be prepared to put in the work needed to help Wilbur become a confident, happy boy.
Wilbur is such a sweet boy who desperately needs to find somewhere he belongs, we love him dearly and are really sad to see him back in kennels.