Tues 4th Aug: Our adoption booklet has arrived!

Our information booklet is free to all adopters

It's been a long time in the making, but our adoption booklet finally arrived today fresh from the printers.  This booklet will be given to all adopters as part of the going-home package, and we hope it will be especially helpful to first-time dog families.  We've tried to provide all of the basic information without making it too detailed or complicated so it's easy to follow.  Of course all dogs and puppies are individuals and there's not one rule that fits all, but our trainer Cactus is also available to answer questions that may not be covered in the booklet, as well as other training support.

This can't be stressed enough

It's clear from many of the adoption enquiries we receive every day there's still a long way to go as far as education is concerned, and by that I mean understanding dogs and their basic needs.  Even the kindest and most well-meaning people may not be suitable adopters if the home or lifestyle can't provide the most important things of all: time and companionship (leaving aside the basics of food and water).



Even when a dog is taken home there is still the settling-in period, something I've talked about so often.   While puppies adjust quickly to a new environment there are still the challenges of training and play biting, probably the subject that most adopters contact Cactus about.  Yes, all puppies bite, it's part of being a baby dog and the learning process.

Adults have of course passed that phase of growing up, but they have different challenges in terms of adjusting to a new home, environment and family. It's very rare that a dog immediately feels comfortable and there are no issues at all.  Please be patient and give your new dog space and time to work everything out in his or her own time.  Trying to rush things will only create more problems.