Amelia (Milly)
At a glance
🐾 Female
🎂 7 years old
📏 Medium
🧬 Mixed breed
🐶 Should be the only pet in the home
👧 Adult only home
📍 Surrey, UK
🧳 In a UK home
Meet Amelia (Milly)
A loving girl looking for an experienced home where she can truly thrive.
Milly is a clever, affectionate girl with so much love to give. She adores her trusted humans, loves a good belly rub and is more than happy to curl up beside you on the sofa for a cuddle.
But Milly also has some more complex behavioural needs, and we're looking for a very special home with someone who has the experience, patience and understanding to help her feel secure and live a happy, fulfilling life.
Milly has been part of a loving family for several years. However, with a young child now in the household, managing her needs safely has become increasingly difficult. Her family have worked hard to support her and this has been an incredibly upsetting decision, but they recognise that she needs an environment better suited to her particular needs.
We believe the right home could make a real difference to Milly's quality of life.
Personality
Behind Milly's sometimes challenging behaviours is a wonderfully affectionate dog who forms close bonds with the people she trusts.
She loves attention, cuddles, scratches and belly rubs, and enjoys being involved in everyday family life. She's not a dog who wants to be forgotten in another room; she likes to know what's happening and be part of things.
She's also incredibly intelligent and very food motivated, which means she can learn quickly through positive, reward-based training.
Milly particularly loves using her nose. Sniffing and exploring are some of her favourite activities, and appropriate scent-based enrichment could be a fantastic way to keep her busy and mentally stimulated.
When she's relaxed and comfortable, Milly can be a lovely companion. During a home visit, a qualified behaviour professional observed her greeting a visitor warmly, seeking affection and settling calmly.
Understanding Milly's needs
We want to be completely transparent about Milly's behaviour because finding the right match is far more important than finding a home quickly.
High prey drive
Milly has a very strong instinct to chase and investigate wildlife. She becomes highly focused on scents and small animals, including hedgehogs, and may dig in the garden when she detects them.
She needs to remain on a lead during walks and requires careful supervision and secure boundaries outdoors. A secure, private garden would be beneficial, but one where wildlife encounters can be minimised would be preferable.
Reactivity towards other dogs
Milly can become very reactive when encountering other dogs, barking and displaying defensive behaviour. She currently wears a yellow warning jacket to encourage other owners to give her space.
She would be best suited to a home where she can enjoy quieter walks, with someone experienced in recognising triggers and managing dog reactivity.
Resource guarding
Milly can guard food, scavenged items and other things she considers valuable. She may growl or snap if someone approaches or attempts to remove these items.
This needs to be taken seriously and managed through appropriate environmental arrangements, understanding of canine body language and reward-based behaviour work.
Overstimulation and handling
Milly can become highly aroused when something captures her attention, particularly food, wildlife or scents, and may struggle to settle afterwards.
She can also be uncomfortable with certain handling, including grooming, veterinary procedures and having her harness put on by unfamiliar people.
She needs someone willing to build trust gradually, respect her boundaries and work patiently on cooperative handling.
Milly's perfect home
We're looking for an experienced, committed person or couple who can offer Milly a calm, predictable environment and the time to understand her.
Her ideal home would be:
Adults only, with no resident children.
Without cats or small pets, due to her high prey drive.
Preferably as the only dog, allowing her the space and individual attention she needs.
With an experienced owner who understands reactivity, resource guarding and canine body language.
With a secure outdoor space, where possible, and opportunities for safe sniffing and enrichment.
With someone committed to positive, reward-based training and consistent, compassionate management.
A home where her needs can be accommodated without expecting her to become a completely different dog.
Milly isn't looking for someone who will simply love her and hope for the best. She needs someone who understands that some behaviours will require ongoing management, even with training.
A little reassurance
Milly has worked with behavioural professionals, and her family have seen improvements with training and management.
A qualified behaviour professional who visited her at home described a relaxed, affectionate dog who sought human interaction and settled comfortably during the visit.
Her family report no history of biting a person, although she has displayed warning behaviours, including snapping, which prospective adopters must understand and be prepared to manage.
We will be open about her history and behavioural needs and can share the existing professional reports with suitable applicants.
Milly doesn't need a busy household, endless excitement or someone determined to change everything about her.
She needs stability. Understanding. Patience. Someone who will celebrate the lovely dog she already is while helping her navigate the things she finds difficult.
For the right person, Milly has so much affection and companionship to offer.
Ready to travel
✔️ Fully vaccinated for rabies and infectious diseases
✔️ 4D tested for Brucellosis and tick-borne diseases
✔️ Microchipped
✔️ Spayed
Could you be Milly's person?
Full rescue backup is provided and an adoption fee applies.