Luca
AGE: 8 month
BREED: Staffordshire Bull Terrier cross breed
SEX: Male
IDEAL HOME: a home with a garden
LIVING WITH CHILDREN: older children 14 plus (I’m bouncy)
LIVING WITH DOGS: I could benefit from living with an older female who is well socialised
LIVING WITH CATS: I’ve never lived with cats
🐾 Luca – 8-Month-Old Puppy
Luca is an 8-month-old pup looking for his forever home, and what a special boy he is! ❤️We think he’s going to be a large breed as he’s already grown :)
Luca is an incredibly friendly, affectionate youngster who absolutely loves people. He wants to be out of his kennel with our volunteers and staff as much as possible and thrives on human interaction. Considering the start he has had in life, he is doing incredibly well and, thankfully, he hasn't allowed his past to change his opinion of people. He remains loving, trusting and incredibly sweet-natured. He genuinely hasn't got a bad bone in his body.
Luca is a lively, bouncy youngster who is still very much a puppy and will need ongoing training and guidance. He can get extremely giddy, particularly at the beginning of his walks, and may grab and bite the lead when he is excited. Once he has settled, however, he really enjoys getting out and about. With consistency, patience and positive reinforcement, we have no doubt Luca has the potential to grow into a lovely, well-mannered companion.
🦮 Luca & Lead-Biting
Luca's lead-biting is something his new family will need to be prepared for while he continues to learn. This appears to be excitement and puppy behaviour rather than aggression, but it is important that it is managed safely.
His new family should use strong, suitable walking equipment and make sure his lead and harness/collar are checked regularly for any signs of damage. Because Luca can grab and bite the lead when he becomes excited, he should never be given the opportunity to chew through it and escape.
When he grabs the lead, his handler should remain calm and avoid turning it into a game of tug-of-war. Redirecting his attention, giving him a suitable alternative and rewarding calm walking can help him learn that keeping his mouth off the lead gets him the reward and attention he wants.
His new family should be prepared for this behaviour to take time, patience and consistent training to overcome. It's important that walks remain positive experiences rather than becoming a battle. As Luca matures and learns better impulse control, we expect this behaviour to improve.
One of the things that has really stood out to us is how Luca is only now discovering the joy of being a dog. Unlike most puppies his age, he is still learning what toys are and is gradually discovering that chasing and playing with them is great fun. It's lovely watching him work things out for himself.
And once Luca discovered toys, he certainly embraced them! 😂 He absolutely loves them and, rather impressively, he doesn't shred them…..yet! He enjoys playing without destroying everything in sight, which is another little glimpse of his gentle nature.
Because Luca is such a lively, excitable and bouncy boy, we feel he would be best suited to an adult-only home or a home with children aged 14+ who understand that he is still learning and can be quite boisterous.
He will need an active home that can provide plenty of daily exercise, mental stimulation, companionship and continued training. Luca doesn't enjoy being left alone for long periods and would ideally have people around for much of the day.
Luca cannot live with cats.
He really is such a fun, loving boy with a huge personality. He's affectionate, people-focused and eager to be involved in everything that's going on. We think he's definitely one for the bully breed fans out there! ❤️
🏡 What Luca Needs
A loving and committed forever home
Plenty of human companionship — he doesn't enjoy being left alone for long periods
An active lifestyle with plenty of daily exercise
Continued training, particularly lead walking, basic commands and impulse control
Patient, consistent and positive guidance
Safe, sturdy walking equipment and careful management of his lead-biting
Plenty of mental stimulation through toys, games and enrichment
Time and patience to continue learning how to be a dog
A secure environment where he can relax and feel safe
Good-quality food and fresh water
Routine veterinary care, including vaccinations, flea and worm treatment and neutering when appropriate
No cats
Luca may have had a difficult start, but he hasn't let it take away his love for people. He is an incredibly sweet, affectionate young dog who simply wants to be included, loved and part of a family.
With the right home, plenty of patience, structure and positive training, we truly believe Luca will grow into a fantastic companion and a devoted best friend.
This lovely boy has so much potential — now he just needs someone to give him the chance to show it. ❤️
Interested in adopting Luca? Call 01642 488108 or contact us.