Dachi

My story

For Adoption: Dachi! Please read our dog bios carefully to be sure that the dog you are applying for suits your family and lifestyle. We at PDR believe in the benefits of post-adoption training for our dogs and their families. This allows for continued socialization, learning and helps to create a well-mannered and balanced dog. Post-adoption training is a requirement in our adoption process. To apply for adoption and for more information on our process and requirements, visit our website at https://pounddog.ca/adoption-info/. This handsome, lovable gentleman is Dachi. In Japanese Dachi means stance and this boy certainly has an impressive stance! Dachi is an 8 year old English Bulldog. He weighs in at just over 40 lbs and has brindled brown and white colouring with chocolate chip spots on his white legs. Read on to get to know more about this handsome gent! Dachi came into foster care with his breeding companion from a breed for profit puppy mill operation. They were not producing puppies so they were discarded as they served no financial purpose. When in the house Dachi has such a calm, loving, gentle nature with people and kids that it makes it hard to believe that anyone would not want him just because he wasn’t producing puppies. Initially when Dachi first came into foster care he was overexcited and barked for the first two nights. Dachi is now a fairly quiet house guest. The only time he barks in the house is when he hears dogs barking outside or on the TV. He also tried to mark his surroundings immediately when let out of his crate the first few days. However, he adjusted so quickly to his new home that within a few days he stopped marking and now indicates that he wants to go outside to relieve himself. His potential adoptive family should know that in a new environment he may initially want to mark his new territory as many male dogs do during transition to a new home, but with close supervision and redirection, he catches on quickly and curbs that behaviour. He has not had any accidents since his first few days here. If he wants to go out he will stand by the door, but if he really needs to go, he will get your attention and whine and whimper until you let him out. Dachi did wonderfully with his female foster companion and really enjoyed her company. Because he was previously used as a stud dog and only neutered once he entered care, he can be reactive around other dogs and he is not comfortable with strange dogs approaching him. He does have some permanent scarring on his back, suggesting he may have had challenging experiences in the past. Dachi will benefit from ongoing, positive reinforcement training with a confident and consistent handler who can help him continue to build trust, confidence, and a sense of safety in the outside world around him. We are working on correcting his reactive behavior on walks and he is making good progress. He does respond to voice, praise, and treats but he will need continued and consistent education. Dachi likes his treats and is also motivated by praise with “ happy voice” , as rewards for good behaviours. Outdoors, Dachi can be quite sensitive and alert, particularly on walks, as he is still learning that this environment is safe. Inside the home, however, he is an absolute gentleman…calm, polite, and welcoming, showing no jumping or barking when guests arrive. Outside he gets overstimulated or fearful at times and is still getting used to the wide world around him and all the goings on. We always need to keep in mind that for the prior 8years of his life he was confined in a barn, having no socialization to the world around him. So it is completely understandable that he finds it overwhelming at times now. When he’s outside, he may become anxious around strangers and can sometimes jump up, or bark, especially toward men. We work on this by giving him space and letting him observe from a distance. Given time and space, Dachi can settle nicely: if we pause at a comfortable distance and engage in calm conversation, he is learning to relax, particularly with women, and will sit or stand quietly while waiting. It should be noted that Dachi has a prey drive and will chase birds, rabbits, squirrels and most likely cats. It would be best for him to be in a home with no other pets. He also will try and chase anything that rushes by him including bikes, joggers and children as this startles him. We have had some success teaching him to sit and look up when bikes and people go buy. But his anxiety around other dogs will take much more work. Dachi would be best suited to a home in a rural area, or small town where the stimulus would be less than a busy suburb or city. He is not suited for apartment living or urban living, it is simply too much overstimulation for him at this time. Dachi is very different dog in the house than when he is outside. In the comfort and safety of the house Dachi enjoys meeting new people and views everyone as a potential friend, vigorously wagging his stubby tail, hoping to be petted and loved. He is not bothered by noise or by kids running around, using remote control cars, playing with toys, etc. In fact, he seems to enjoy all the commotion and watches all with great interest. He is very gentle when being petted even by smaller children. And he does have a playful side. Because we are focusing on his training and comfort in the outside we would want there to be no children in his forever home so that he can be the focus. Teens would be fine, and visiting children like he gets to enjoy in his foster home, would be great fun for him. Even at his age he loves a good game of fetch at least once a day. He will run after his squeaky toy and run back to you so you can throw it again. He even sometimes gets the zoomies if you have been out for a while and he is just so happy that you are home. Most of the day indoors he is quite content to lie around on his pillow or in his basket but when you get him all excited with happy talk, he will do his bull dog dance and may even do little leap hops around the kitchen. When he is not resting, he likes to patrol the house, checking the windows for activity outside. When he wants some attention he will come over to you and sit, and in slow motion raise his paw in the air sometimes so high he almost falls backwards. Then if you stop petting him, he will repeat the process again in slow motion. It is quite endearing. Dachi has been a very easy dog to take care of. He is not a demanding dog, he just goes with the flow. He waits patiently to be let out of his crate in the morning, he will then follow you to the back door to go outside. He handles very well when being groomed. Anyone adopting a bulldog should know that part of the grooming requirements include cleaning the wrinkle folds on their face so they don’t get infections. While he is not keen on baths, he is good about being bathed as well as having nails trimmed. He stands quietly when putting coats and sweaters on and off and will wait patiently by the door while you get yourself dressed for the cold outdoors. For the most part Dachi walks well on a leash when there is no stimulus such as other dogs and will settle in by your side on the sidewalk, or in front of you in the park when it’s playtime. While in care, Dachi has learned “sit”, “look at me” , “wait” , “let’s go” , “outside”, “in your crate” and “walk nice”, and “slow”. He is not 100% percent with some of the commands as he has quite the stubborn streak at times but he is capable of learning new things. Dachi is in good health, has been fully vaccinated and tested negative for both heart worm and Lyme disease. He handles well when at the vet clinic. Potential adopters should know that bulldogs being a brachycephalic breed (short nosed) have difficulty breathing and prone to overheating, therefore overexertion and exercise in extreme heat and humidity should be avoided. Dachi does love his walks and can walk up to 3 or 4km a day split into 2 or 3 walks on cooler days. In his heart, Dachi wants to be a good boy and a loving companion. His previous harsh life has left him with some emotional scars that may be the cause of his less desirable behaviours outside. He would love to find a home in a quiet area with an adult family or person who can handle a strong dog and appreciate him for the wonderful dog that he is. They must be willing to work with him with through his difficulties in a kind but firm way. He is well worth the time and effort. Once you get to know him you cannot help but fall in love with him. Once Dachi feels comfortable, his sweet personality truly shines. With people he trusts, he happily wags his tail, approaches gently, and looks up with his big brown eyes, hoping for a kind word or a scratch behind the ears. With patience, understanding, and positive guidance, Dachi has all the makings of a loyal and loving companion who continues to grow more confident every day. Name: Dachi ID # PDR1462 Age: 8yrs Gender: male Neutered: yes UTD vaccines: yes Breed: Bulldog Colours: brindle and white Coat length: short House trained: yes Special needs: no OK with kids: teens OK with cats: no Ok with dogs: no Status: adoptable Microchip: yes Size: med Location: Guelph Adoption fee: $700

If you have any questions or would like to adopt Dachi, please reach out to the adoption group directly. PetSmart Charities does not facilitate the adoption process. Thank you.