APPLICATIONS NOW CLOSED Hugo looking for his forever home

Age – 2

Location – Northamptonshire 

Sex – Male  

You may recall Hugo was adopted Autumn 2022 but sadly, through no fault of his or his new family it didn’t work out so he came back into foster with us where he has come on in leaps and bounds. 

Hugo is now ready for his new home and we are so pleased he’s our first blog of 2023!  

Here’s what his foster family have to say about him now:

Following on from Hugo’s original lovely blog what can we add as an insight? (His previous blog can be read below so you can see how much he has improved)

Hugo has been with us in foster for 3 1/2 months now.  You may recall our fundraiser for Hugo’s eye operation when we discovered he was suffering Entropion in both upper eyelids, and also Euryblepharona and lower Entropion in both lower eyelids.  He has been given a full bill of health and signed off by his amazing vets who treated him so well. 

I think it’s important to add to his ‘ big clown character’ that he is a large 35kg dog, so big both physically and in his demeanour. He is always happy, loves every human and dog he meets on his walks. 

So space in the house is important and outside. 

Although big he is very agile and forward going. He has deliberately (from us) lost 1 1/2 kg which has helped with his movement and stamina. Like all ‘big boys’ he takes longer to mature both physically and mentally. He is still very much a juvenile; will still puppy mouth and loves playing with my hounds. 

All his house rules/ signals/ commands need to be clear and simple and 101% consistent from everyone in the family. He gets frustrated if he doesn’t understand what you are asking for. Calm determination is a must with praise when he gets it right.  We will of course advise on what commands are being used so they can continue to be used when Hugo is settling in to minimise any more confusion. 

Here’s Hugo relaxing with his foster sibling who is 29kg so you can see how much of a gentle giant he is! 

 What he has achieved with consistent, firm, fair and positive guidance:- 

He’s learnt about personal space, not to walk into, through or over you but to heel beside you on the side you choose. 

Not to sit on top of other dogs to be close to you for cuddles. 

Not to shout incessantly when it is meal times ( we have it down to a small squeak now) 

To respect lead walking and not to tow you off to meet the nearest person or dog. 

Bin raiding and cupboard thieving has been cured by locks on doors and moving the bin!

All of the above will need continuous working with and we will of course be on hand to assist you with this. 

Travelling there are no issues. Quiet as a mouse ( be it a big one that takes up 3/4of the boot). 

He walks up a ramp which started off with food bowl bribery and now it is just set it up and off he goes. The same with unloading. At 35 kg there is no way my stature could lift him. 

Outings we have managed a pre op basset waddle (with 10 hounds) where I was towed around but in a typical Hugo jolly style. 

Post op and with more training we showed great gentlemanly etiquette, excitement but controlled with a pack of 20 hounds (see video above). Because of his operations he has been walked on a wide soft collar and a halti lead only and that has been more than successful.

He loved visiting the town centre and walked lovely on lead, past the butchers without any fuss and loved all the attention he got from the locals 

As with any newly adopted hound there are areas which will need to still be worked on:-

Establishing your house rules from day one when he comes to you with clear simple signals he understands and 101% clarity from everyone in the household. 

Continued respect for the lead exercise. 

Veterinary socialising; he loves the vets, nurses and receptionists laying on his back for tummy rubs until a procedure has to be done in an enclosed examination room. It was obvious he’d had an unpleasant experience in his previous life to the stage he had to be orally sedated before anything could go ahead. With me I could clean his eyes apply drops and ointment in the eye with no issues as I had his trust. So this is future work that will need to be carried on with.

Hugo on the left with his foster siblings 

In a nutshell he is a young juvenile a lovable clown with a unique character. Surprisingly agile and forward going. He needs sympathetic but calm determined handling. Who without doubt will give you many years of fun devotion and laughable joyful moments.

What Hugo is looking for:-

Safe, secure space inside and outside his new home 

Resident doggy playmate 

No small furies 

Due to Hugo’s bigger than life attitude, and youth we would say only dog savvy children who are able to be on board with the continued training

Breed experience and someone who understands the Basset stubbornness, use of positive reinforcement training methods and active (Hugo although loves his cuddles needs mental and physical exercise) 

He may sound like a difficult boy, but with guidance he is an amazing hound and joy to be around 

Do you tick Hugo’s boxes?

If so we would love to hear from you if you fit his criteria

Hugo needs someone who is at home more often than not and prepared to put in the time to help him settle and learn further

• Someone who is willing to work with Hugo and be patient whilst he gets to know you and his new home
• A small furry pet free home, although Hugo needs a playful resident dog or two
• We believe Hugo can live with dog savvy children over 12 years old who are able to continue with his training.
• Patience and time to spend with Hugo in the crucial first few weeks as he adapt.
• Someone who understands all of Hugo’s needs and willingness to continue with his positive reinforced training
• Applications close on the 14th January 2023 at 8pm .

Taking on a rescue dog is not the easy option. You need to be prepared to help a confused and troubled hound find their place in your family. They have been through a massive upheaval and will need time to settle into a new way of life, so please consider this BEFORE you fill in an application.

PLEASE NOTE THE FOLLOWING:

Hugo is subject to an adoption fee and a successful home check. If your home check is successful, your family including dogs will need to be able to travel to his foster home to meet him and his foster family.

You will also have a telephone call with a member of the team, plus Hugo’s foster family, so that all of his history can be shared with you in person, and that we can be assured that you can fill all of his needs and requirements.

Hugo comes with 5 weeks free insurance via our rehoming partner, Agria.

Hugo as with all of our hounds will have full rescue back up for life.

Thank you for reading Hugo’s blog. Please share where you are able

Here’s Hugo’s previous Blog so you can see how he has come on in leaps and bounds