Teddy is a 4 ½ year old Black & Tan male Cavalier, a big boy at about 30 lbs.  Teddy was surrendered to Lucky Star a few months ago from a sad situation.  The conditions showed destruction, lack of training, separation anxiety and aggression towards the other dog in the home.  They were kept separated and there were obvious signs of destruction in the home.  We weren’t sure if we could help him or what his issues really were.

The foster parents started by keeping Teddy on a leash to correct unwanted behavior and prevent him from dominating the other dogs.  .  Initially he would bully and pin the other dogs in the foster home to the floor.  Teddy could not focus.  He had very high anxiety and separation anxiety. Non-medical supplements, collars and diffusers were tried but with no success.   At a loss, we asked a vet to start him on Trazadone to calm him and try to reduce his anxiety.  The results were immediate.  Trazadone is a sedative.  It allowed him to focus and be receptive to training.  Teddy loves to swim and fortunately there was a pool at his foster home allowing him to release some of his energy during the summer months and warm weather.  Long walks are really great for him as well.  Teddy suffers from separation anxiety and he has been trained, over time, to accept a crate.  He spends scheduled time in a crate a few times a day and now he accepts it.  Routine is very important to continue his rehab.  A lot of work has gone into the dramatic change we see and want to continue in a forever home.

Teddy is a different dog now but it is not without continued attention and awareness to him.  He suffers from separation anxiety and needs to be around people.  He has stopped bullying and dominating the other dogs in the home but we feel a medium to large breed would be the best fit, a low energy, calmer companion.  He has not had any housebreaking accidents, loves toys, is very smart, loves to run in the yard, take long walks, loves car rides and is so willing to please, to give and receive affection. 

He receives trazadone 3 times a day but ideally it should be gradually reduced .  Long term affects include a lowered tolerance to the drug and liver damage.  We feel it best to keep him on it so he can adjust to a new home without reverting back to previous behavioral problems.  Willingness to work with your vet and a vet who has a good understanding of high anxiety, trazadone and alternatives is critical.  Teddy is definitely worth the time and effort to help him work through his problems and continue to succeed.  Having worked with behavioral issues with other dogs would be great as would being home most of the time.  He is so smart and needs to be kept busy that we feel either agility, obedience training or nose work would be something that would challenge him. 

Teddy is being fostered in Newburgh, NY.  He must have a fenced yard and a medium to larger canine companion in the home.  We will not consider long distant adoptions.  The foster parents are willing to work with adopter to continue his rehab.  Please complete an application:

ADOPTION APPLICATION: 

http://lscr.rescuegroups.org/forms/form?formid=1797

After completing an application, please e-mail luckystarrescue@gmail.com and please share your experience with anxiety, training and special behavioral needs dogs. 

Teddy is such an awesome boy.  He just takes a little more time and effort but he is such a beautiful boy.