Layla


© Sarah Fisher	August 2007 - Layla is another foster pup from Battersea who has come to Tilley Farm for a little holiday so that we can help her overcome her behaviour problem. Layla was born in Battersea and is now five months old. Her mother was very sick and her siblings died which meant that Layla missed out on some very early lessons in appropriate behaviour. As a result she was very, very mouthy and it was a case of "Layla…you've got me by my knees…Layla!" She is a terrier cross who would quickly turn into a cross terrier if she didn't get her own way. but in the week that she has been with us here at Tilley Farm she has already changed dramatically. She is learning to control herself and, as is the usual case with these mouthy pups, is extremely intelligent. She has already learnt to sit and to go to a mat when asked. Her recall is excellent and she knows the words 'Leave' and 'Off'. We are working on stay and she is clearly going to be able to learn to target in one or two sessions. She loves clicker work and is a really fast learner and is now seeking a more pleasant form of human contact than one that only involved her teeth. Layla is a very pretty and engaging puppy who needs an experienced home so that she can continue to mature into a happy adult dog. She is excellent with other dogs and isn't at all destructive in the home. She loves to be in the garden and is happy to play on her own without digging or eating the flowers, but she also really enjoys being a part of the social scene. She is easy in the office and is the first pup we have fostered that doesn't try to eat the computer cables, paper, files etc. She is quiet at night and is coming on really well with house training which isn't bad given that she has spent her life in kennels. Because of her past problem Layla could not be rehomed to anyone who has small children living with them, or visiting, but older teenagers would be ideal.

Layla has been filmed for a BBC1 show where she clearly demonstrates her best and worst behaviour! She is fantastically agile and fast and would be a great candidate for mini agility as she loves to work. Alternatively she would make a good farm terrier. She is quite strong minded, as most terriers are, but we are already enjoying all the best bits of the terrier mind. Her unpleasant habit is diminishing and we have had several days on the trot now where she has managed to keep her teeth to herself which makes me very, very happy as my hands were beginning to look as though they had been put through a mincer! She is active but not manic and can be left on her own. Layla loves people and is really benefiting from some one to one time.

10th October 2007

Layla has been with us at Tilley Farm for over a month now. She is a wonderful, joyful little dog and we will miss her like crazy. During her time with us Layla has met many dogs and people and although can get terribly over excited has learnt to be more self controlled than when she first arrived at the farm.

Layla loves to go for walks and really enjoys training. She is a fast learner and is very obedient. She has learnt to target and knows sit, stay, off and leave. She is a very active little dog who would excel in agility or obedience work but is also a very tactile dog who loves to sit on laps and chill out.

Layla is good at night and can be left alone for short periods. She is almost house trained. I have to confess that Layla did launch an attack on the old chair that is in the doggy room here at the farm following the arrival of a large black stray dog at the farm. His presence obviously put Layla's dainty upturned nose out of joint but until that point we never had a problem with any destructive behaviour.

Layla is good with all people but is still young and will greet newcomers and friends by mouthing - there isn't any malice behind this behaviour and she is gentle with her mouth. If you ask her to 'be nice' she will stop. She has learnt good bite inhibition and can be held, contained and removed from exciting situations without any protest.

Layla is looking for a home with someone who will take her out and about and continue with her training. She makes an excellent companion and is good in the car. Layla has not been crate trained but will travel in a car crate. She has been a joy to train and if she cannot find the perfect home she is welcome to come back and live at the farm. We really hope that she can find the perfect home.

13th November 2007

We are happy to announce that Layla has found a wonderful home near Bath. Her new owner takes her everywhere he goes and she particularly loves to go to rugby matches! An ideal home for an energetic puppy.

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