💙🐶 HARTLEY – A Devoted Heart Longing for Stability and Companionship 🐶💙

Hartley is a stunning, affectionate mixed-breed almost 5 years old boy. He was originally adopted from us back in 2021, but sadly not all dogs are lucky to deserve unconditional commitment, and now, after 4 years, due to his owner’s changing circumstances, he was returned to us and now urgently needs a more experienced foster or forever home.

Hartley is currently at foster, but this is their first foster experience, and they’ve found him a bit too much to handle. While they say he is loving, smart, and well-mannered in the home, he does need structure and ongoing support from someone more confident.

🌟 Highlights:
🔹 SIZE: Upper-Medium (large frame, approx. 30+ kg)
⚕ NEUTERED: Yes
🐕 DOGS: Best as the only dog or could possibly live with a calm, friendly female
🐱 CATS: Not tested – better not
👶 CHILDREN: Older teens only (13+); previously lived with a 10 y.o.
🎾 TRAINING & COMMANDS: Knows sit, paw, roll over, wait; good house manners
🚶 WALKS: Can be reactive on other dogs; best with secure walking space or private field

💔 Rescue Story:
Hartley was rehomed from our rescue when he was just a year old. Sadly, after 4 years in his home, his owner faced long working hours and couldn’t meet his needs any longer. Being left alone for 8–9 hours a day made Hartley increasingly frustrated and anxious, and his reactivity to strangers, dogs worsened. He was returned to us heartbroken, needing a fresh start.

He is now in a foster home in Derbyshire, where he’s shown how much love he has to give—but also that he needs experienced hands to help him feel secure and settle fully.

💙 Foster’s words:

“Hartley is a big fuss pot who loves attention and being around you. He’s timid with strangers but warms up quickly. His barking seems to be more fear or excitement than aggression. He gets over-excited during intense play and may nip, but calms down easily when ignored briefly.”

“He came from being alone most of the day to being with us 24/7. He’s thrilled by all the attention, and we do believe he can be left for a few hours without issue.”

“Hartley is fully house trained, smart, knows commands, and hasn’t damaged anything in the house. He does alert us when he needs the toilet and is quite reliable when left alone during the day.”

“He struggles being alone at night. He’s very clever—can open doors, jump baby gates, and escape crates. He’s happiest being close to his people and needs someone happy to share space with him, at least while he settles.”

“He can be reactive on walks—barking or pulling toward triggers—but it seems rooted in anxiety. With time, confidence-building, and consistent training, this is manageable.”

🏡 Ideal Home:
Hartley would flourish in a dog-experienced, adult-only home or with older teens, with a secure garden and walks in quiet, controlled areas. He must be the only pet, or possibly matched with a gentle, confident female dog. Someone working from home or with a flexible schedule would be ideal, to give Hartley the structure and reassurance he so desperately needs.

💙 Could You Be Hartley’s Second Chance?
He is full of love and so eager to bond—he just needs someone with patience, consistency, and the understanding to help him feel truly safe. Hartley is not a “problem dog”—he’s a loyal companion who was let down and is trying hard to trust again.

🩺 Health Information:
Hartley is fully healthy, neutered, vaccinated, and microchipped.

To apply for adoption/foster-to adopt , please complete online Preadoption Questionary