Michael
This loveable lurcher was found as a stray and brought to Woodgreen by a concerned member of the public.
Wandering the streets alone, Michael was simply exhausted
Our team helped Michael settle into his kennel by providing him with a warm bed, food and some company. He seemed very tired and needed a rest before visiting our on-site surgery for a medical check-up. Our veterinary team found that he was underweight, but luckily he didn’t have any injuries or health conditions.
No experience of being cared for
Michael clearly had no experience of walking on a lead, so our team had to start his training from scratch. This involved distraction training around other dogs to keep him calm and relaxed while on the lead. They also tried counter conditioning, which is rewarding good behaviour with treats. Michael proved to be a quick learner and picked up his training with little prompts. This really helped him to grow his confidence and feel more comfortable around people, as well as other dogs.
Michael built a strong bond with his main carer, Sophie, who fostered him for a few weeks. She spent lots of time toilet training him and getting him used to a daily routine in a family home. As you can see, he found the sofa with no help at all. Fostering worked wonders for Michael and with time and patience, he managed to become a trained and confident pet.
A new name and a fresh start
Our rehoming team on The Dog House worked very hard to find Michael the right home where he’d get plenty of love and exercise. Fortunately for him, it wasn’t a long wait as Nhung’s children fell in love with him on the spot. However, Nhung sensibly took some time to consider whether he was a good fit for the family. But we’re very glad they took the plunge because today he’s living his best life as a beloved family dog, now named Pluto.
