Frankie
An intelligent, striking boy who needs a confident handler to help him unlock his full potential.
Meet Frankie, a 7-month-old Bearded Collie cross Border Collie who is on the lookout for a very specific forever home.
Frankie is a young, bright lad who has unfortunately had a bit of a tricky start when it comes to learning the rules of the world. Due to very poor training advice early on in his puppyhood, Frankie has learned that he is entirely in charge and can do whatever he pleases.
He is not an easy dog right now, and he is going to be a bit of a handful initially. However, we know that in the right, experienced hands, he is going to make an absolutely awesome companion.
About Frankie
Frankie is a handsome Bearded Collie and Border Collie mix who has all the intelligence and drive you would expect from his breeding. Because he missed out on the correct guidance as a young puppy, he now needs an experienced, confident owner who can put the basics firmly back in place and kindly but clearly show him what is acceptable and what isn't.
To give Frankie the absolute best chance at success, Hay Animal Rescue Team will fund ongoing support/ training for him with Malvern Fabdogs. It is essential that his new owners are fully committed to using positive training methods to rebuild his boundaries. Because of this tailored support, his new family will need to live within a two-hour drive of Malvern so they can easily attend these sessions.
He is:
A 7-month-old Bearded Collie x Border Collie male
In need of an experienced, adult-only home
Requiring a family living within 2 hours of Malvern for funded training support
Personality & Good Points
While Frankie has some behaviours that need sorting out, he also has some fantastic foundational traits that will make training him a rewarding experience. He is a clever lad who learns incredibly quickly when he is guided with patience and positive reinforcement.
His good points include:
Brilliant with his crate: Frankie is fully crate trained, sleeps soundly through the night, and settles down beautifully when left alone.
Highly motivated: He absolutely loves his toys and is very food-motivated, which is a fantastic tool for his ongoing positive training.
Basic understanding: He already understands his basic commands and is eager to engage.
Decent recall: Frankie's off-lead recall really isn't bad at all, and he comes back reasonably reliably when he is called.
Life with Other Pets
Frankie is making great progress with his social skills and has learned to respect other dogs. However, because of his big personality, he cannot live with just any dog.
If he is to live with a resident dog, it must be a strong, steady, and balanced companion who can confidently set boundaries. Frankie is simply too much for weaker, younger, or elderly dogs who cannot tell him to stop when he gets over-excited. Additionally, Frankie cannot live with cats, as he loves to chase them.
Ideal Home for Frankie
Frankie needs a structured, calm, and predictable environment where he can understand where he actually belongs in the world.
His perfect home would:
Be an adult-only home with absolutely no children (this is non-negotiable for their safety and his)
Have a patient, firm, and knowledgeable owner committed to positive reward-based training
Be a home that does not require a lot of car travel, as Frankie is currently an extremely poor traveller (though we are actively working on this with him)
Be a pet-free home or one with a strong, companionable resident dog
Be a pet-home only, as Frankie is not suited to a working dog lifestyle
While activities like agility might be a wonderful option for his clever brain in the future, his immediate focus in his new home must be purely on basic manners and boundaries.
A Special Project
Frankie is using nipping as a primary form of communication because this behaviour was never corrected when he was a tiny pup. At his current age and size, this is no longer safe or acceptable, which is why we are being incredibly clear about his needs.
Frankie is a diamond in the rough. He needs someone who won't let him rule the roost, but will instead offer him the stability, positive guidance, and love he has been missing. If you have the experience to help Frankie navigate his teenage months and turn into the incredible dog we know he can be, please get in touch.
Apply to adopt Frankie
If you feel Frankie could be the right match for your home, please complete the application form via the link below.
