01-06-24 Sparky is a very intelligent boy who arrived with us over a year ago initially but has been returned as the home was not the right fit.
Sparky needs an experienced and active, adult only home where he will get the right training, exercise, and mental stimulation that he needs.
He is very loyal, loving and obedient to people he loves, but can be worried in new scenarios, particularly with big loud vehicles like tractors or lorries.
Sparky is a super star and is super eager to learn new tricks.
Sparky can guard things he deems valuable, especially things involving food, like food puzzles. This is easily managed here, and I think could be easily managed in a home with people who are clued up and confident. Mistakes happen as we are only human, but as Sparky is so smart I think using the "trade" game will be super useful. We have started working on a "trade" here at the rescue, and also started working on teaching him "bed!" So that if any mistakes happen in the home and he has something he shouldn't, he knows that if drops the item and goes to his 'place'(bed), he will get an even tastier reward. Sparky is muzzle trained and happily wears his muzzle, so that the first period in a home you can safely figure out his behaviours and how to manage him.
Baby gates will also be your best friend in terms of management. Sparky has an amazing group of staff who give him so much through the days and work *so* hard with him at the centre, but we all have many other dogs to look after too, so it's hard to really meet all of his needs. His favourite staff member has just bought some equipment to start scent work with him, follow for updates on that!
Sparky knows: sit, wait, back(of kennel), heel, lay down, and many more tricks! Sparky meets other dogs fine, can be a little over excitable, but is generally good as gold, though to manage the guarding we think he'd be most successful as an only dog in the home. He cannot live with cats. He'd make a super companion for someone who loves long hikes!  

21-06-24 UPDATE
The weather is absolutely fantastic today so Sparky and myself have been out enjoying the sun - it’s not often we see it here at the rescue!
It’s a joy to spend time with Sparky, what a superstar this boy is! Sparky enjoyed some time in the yard while it was hot and when it got a bit cooler we headed out on a nice walk.
Sparky walks really well on lead, so taking him out was a pleasure. He loves getting out and about and you can see just how happy he is to get that little bit of freedom away from rescue life.
This chap has a fantastic character and is an absolute pleasure to work with, he is bubbly, active and super intelligent. As the weather was still nice we had a play date with his good friend Bennett, the pointer, and they played and ran around amazingly together. I have very high hopes and a lot of faith in this chap to become a fantastic companion for the right person he just needs to be given the chance to do so!

 

31-07-24 UPDATE

I cannot believe the bestest boy Sparky is still in kennels! The last few months I have really gotten close with sparky and what a pleasure it has been. Since working with him he has really shown me what a special boy he is. He is the most sociable dog I have ever met. I can yard him with any kennel and even take him to multiple dog play dates and he is just perfect with bigger and smaller dogs. He absolutely loves active breeds and plays so well with them. One of them is Walter the husky and the video shows how well mannered he can be. As sparky has had issues with food in the past I've been working with him so it is easier to manage. His training has gone well. Now I tell him to sit, down, I put the food bowl in front of him and tell him to wait until I give him his release command. I can now walk quite a distance away, close the kennel gate and he will just keep eye contact with me just waiting for the release command. As he's had issues with food in the past, his new family will need to continue this discipline and the advice given during the adoption process - doing so will set Sparky up for success and a long and happy life in his forever home. Sparky is just incredibly smart and picks up new commands super quick so it shouldn’t take long for him to settle into a routine with his new family. If you are experienced with high energy bigger dogs then sparky is the boy you are looking for! Please give him the chance to progress to the next chapter in his life and find his forever and loving new family. 

09-10-2024 UPDATE

Sparky is such a special boy, I don't understand why he still finds himself here at the rescue. Everyone who meets him absolutely loves him, he's such a fun and sweet boy who just wants a forever home to call his own. Sparky can play well with other dogs, he has made many doggy friends while being here, but any friend he makes soon gets adopted leaving Sparky sitting, waiting and wondering when it'll be his turn to get his forever home. He is very intelligent, and as stated in the previous update he has had some issues in regards to food, but we have been working with him on this and he is still doing amazingly well, his new family would still need to continue on with his training once in your home just to make sure he doesn't go backwards, you can chat to handlers to find out what training he has been receiving. He's such a handsome boy, I don't understand why he keeps getting overlooked. He just needs the right person to come along who will have the time and show him the patience he needs to adjust to life outside of kennels and give him the happy and loving home he deserves.  

26-10-24 UPDATE FROM A VOLUNTEER

I spent the day volunteering at MTAR and being a huntaway cross owner myself I was delighted to spend time with Sparky. Sparky is a gorgeous, playful boy who is hard to believe hasn’t met the right family yet. I spent some solo time in a large play yard and he had a great time doing zoomies and playing fetch. We went back later in the day for a play date with other dogs and he socialised perfectly. He is true huntaway in nature with his energy but he’s highly intelligent, pleasing and no barking which is impressive considering his breed! We went on a short walk too where he demonstrated his fantastic lead walking, especially when passing fellow doggies. And I spent some time with him in a calm setting where he enjoyed some good head scratches and cwtches. Throughout the day Sparky demonstrated how well he would thrive in a home. This boy is just waiting for a family to love him in the evenings cuddled up watching tv after a fun filled active day.

 04-112024 UPDATE When will it be Sparky's turn? Sparky arrived in JANUARY 2023! Sparky is the smartest dog and loves every human he meets. He's a firm staff favourite. He's super super special and really shouldn't be coming up on 2 years in kennels. Sparks has had a few stints in a home and we've now learnt that Sparky will guard things he finds valuable and so he came back to kennels to find a more suitable home. As he is a big dog this can be quite daunting if you aren't prepared or are unsure how to navigate a scenario like this. Sparky doesn't do well with being challenged if he is guarding something, but if you offer him a swap (something more rewarding like chicken or ham or a tennis ball) and he's the gooooodest boy. Who can blame him for not wanting to lose something he loves? He's never had a stable life. Here at the rescue we don't give him the opportunity to guard things. Once he's had his "high quality" bed time Kong, we don't disturb or bother him, and through the day if he has any long lasting chews we just know not to bother him while he works his way through it! However if we do NEED to, we call him away with a tasty treat and then remove the high value item, rather than trying to take it from him directly. Management is key with dogs that guard! Once Sparky has a bond with you he gives you everything. He loves you with his whole heart. This bond takes time though, and in a new home he will find everything new and more valuable. The first few weeks are bound to be the "hardest," while you work eachother out and create a bond, but I think once he learns that everything isn't all going to be taken from him again he will settle down. Sparky LOVES playtime with other playful dogs, he is super respectful with some but with others he does need to learn better manners! Sparky would probably be best going home as an only dog so that any guarding can be managed with ease, though if you are super experienced then he could live with other dogs. We don't want to set Sparky up to fail so we will be very specific in his needs being met with any applicants! Even though Sparky has his 'quirks', he really is one of the best dogs I have ever met and worked with. He's truly a gem! Please share his profile far and wide so hopefully Sparky's forever family see him!

01-06-24 Sparky is a very intelligent boy who arrived with us over a year ago initially but has been returned as the home was not the right fit.
Sparky needs an experienced and active, adult only home where he will get the right training, exercise, and mental stimulation that he needs.
He is very loyal, loving and obedient to people he loves, but can be worried in new scenarios, particularly with big loud vehicles like tractors or lorries.
Sparky is a super star and is super eager to learn new tricks.
Sparky can guard things he deems valuable, especially things involving food, like food puzzles. This is easily managed here, and I think could be easily managed in a home with people who are clued up and confident. Mistakes happen as we are only human, but as Sparky is so smart I think using the "trade" game will be super useful. We have started working on a "trade" here at the rescue, and also started working on teaching him "bed!" So that if any mistakes happen in the home and he has something he shouldn't, he knows that if drops the item and goes to his 'place'(bed), he will get an even tastier reward. Sparky is muzzle trained and happily wears his muzzle, so that the first period in a home you can safely figure out his behaviours and how to manage him.
Baby gates will also be your best friend in terms of management. Sparky has an amazing group of staff who give him so much through the days and work *so* hard with him at the centre, but we all have many other dogs to look after too, so it's hard to really meet all of his needs. His favourite staff member has just bought some equipment to start scent work with him, follow for updates on that!
Sparky knows: sit, wait, back(of kennel), heel, lay down, and many more tricks! Sparky meets other dogs fine, can be a little over excitable, but is generally good as gold, though to manage the guarding we think he'd be most successful as an only dog in the home. He cannot live with cats. He'd make a super companion for someone who loves long hikes!  

21-06-24 UPDATE
The weather is absolutely fantastic today so Sparky and myself have been out enjoying the sun - it’s not often we see it here at the rescue!
It’s a joy to spend time with Sparky, what a superstar this boy is! Sparky enjoyed some time in the yard while it was hot and when it got a bit cooler we headed out on a nice walk.
Sparky walks really well on lead, so taking him out was a pleasure. He loves getting out and about and you can see just how happy he is to get that little bit of freedom away from rescue life.
This chap has a fantastic character and is an absolute pleasure to work with, he is bubbly, active and super intelligent. As the weather was still nice we had a play date with his good friend Bennett, the pointer, and they played and ran around amazingly together. I have very high hopes and a lot of faith in this chap to become a fantastic companion for the right person he just needs to be given the chance to do so!

 

31-07-24 UPDATE

I cannot believe the bestest boy Sparky is still in kennels! The last few months I have really gotten close with sparky and what a pleasure it has been. Since working with him he has really shown me what a special boy he is. He is the most sociable dog I have ever met. I can yard him with any kennel and even take him to multiple dog play dates and he is just perfect with bigger and smaller dogs. He absolutely loves active breeds and plays so well with them. One of them is Walter the husky and the video shows how well mannered he can be. As sparky has had issues with food in the past I've been working with him so it is easier to manage. His training has gone well. Now I tell him to sit, down, I put the food bowl in front of him and tell him to wait until I give him his release command. I can now walk quite a distance away, close the kennel gate and he will just keep eye contact with me just waiting for the release command. As he's had issues with food in the past, his new family will need to continue this discipline and the advice given during the adoption process - doing so will set Sparky up for success and a long and happy life in his forever home. Sparky is just incredibly smart and picks up new commands super quick so it shouldn’t take long for him to settle into a routine with his new family. If you are experienced with high energy bigger dogs then sparky is the boy you are looking for! Please give him the chance to progress to the next chapter in his life and find his forever and loving new family. 

09-10-2024 UPDATE

Sparky is such a special boy, I don't understand why he still finds himself here at the rescue. Everyone who meets him absolutely loves him, he's such a fun and sweet boy who just wants a forever home to call his own. Sparky can play well with other dogs, he has made many doggy friends while being here, but any friend he makes soon gets adopted leaving Sparky sitting, waiting and wondering when it'll be his turn to get his forever home. He is very intelligent, and as stated in the previous update he has had some issues in regards to food, but we have been working with him on this and he is still doing amazingly well, his new family would still need to continue on with his training once in your home just to make sure he doesn't go backwards, you can chat to handlers to find out what training he has been receiving. He's such a handsome boy, I don't understand why he keeps getting overlooked. He just needs the right person to come along who will have the time and show him the patience he needs to adjust to life outside of kennels and give him the happy and loving home he deserves.  

26-10-24 UPDATE FROM A VOLUNTEER

I spent the day volunteering at MTAR and being a huntaway cross owner myself I was delighted to spend time with Sparky. Sparky is a gorgeous, playful boy who is hard to believe hasn’t met the right family yet. I spent some solo time in a large play yard and he had a great time doing zoomies and playing fetch. We went back later in the day for a play date with other dogs and he socialised perfectly. He is true huntaway in nature with his energy but he’s highly intelligent, pleasing and no barking which is impressive considering his breed! We went on a short walk too where he demonstrated his fantastic lead walking, especially when passing fellow doggies. And I spent some time with him in a calm setting where he enjoyed some good head scratches and cwtches. Throughout the day Sparky demonstrated how well he would thrive in a home. This boy is just waiting for a family to love him in the evenings cuddled up watching tv after a fun filled active day.

 04-112024 UPDATE When will it be Sparky's turn? Sparky arrived in JANUARY 2023! Sparky is the smartest dog and loves every human he meets. He's a firm staff favourite. He's super super special and really shouldn't be coming up on 2 years in kennels. Sparks has had a few stints in a home and we've now learnt that Sparky will guard things he finds valuable and so he came back to kennels to find a more suitable home. As he is a big dog this can be quite daunting if you aren't prepared or are unsure how to navigate a scenario like this. Sparky doesn't do well with being challenged if he is guarding something, but if you offer him a swap (something more rewarding like chicken or ham or a tennis ball) and he's the gooooodest boy. Who can blame him for not wanting to lose something he loves? He's never had a stable life. Here at the rescue we don't give him the opportunity to guard things. Once he's had his "high quality" bed time Kong, we don't disturb or bother him, and through the day if he has any long lasting chews we just know not to bother him while he works his way through it! However if we do NEED to, we call him away with a tasty treat and then remove the high value item, rather than trying to take it from him directly. Management is key with dogs that guard! Once Sparky has a bond with you he gives you everything. He loves you with his whole heart. This bond takes time though, and in a new home he will find everything new and more valuable. The first few weeks are bound to be the "hardest," while you work eachother out and create a bond, but I think once he learns that everything isn't all going to be taken from him again he will settle down. Sparky LOVES playtime with other playful dogs, he is super respectful with some but with others he does need to learn better manners! Sparky would probably be best going home as an only dog so that any guarding can be managed with ease, though if you are super experienced then he could live with other dogs. We don't want to set Sparky up to fail so we will be very specific in his needs being met with any applicants! Even though Sparky has his 'quirks', he really is one of the best dogs I have ever met and worked with. He's truly a gem! Please share his profile far and wide so hopefully Sparky's forever family see him!