Size
(when grown) Med. 26-60 lbs (12-27 kg)
Details
Not good with kids,
Good with dogs,
Good with cats,
House-trained,
Shots are up-to-date,
Story
Meet Mina - Cocker Spaniel
Only those whom submit a completed adoption application after reading Mina's entire profile will be considered
Meet Mina!
This sweet, timid chocolate merle Cocker Spaniel was surrendered by a commercial breeder after she was retired from their breeding program
DOB Feb 11, 2024, Mina is just shy of 2 yrs young, but has spent her entire life in a barn so is very shy with new people and will need a very patient, savvy family whom will understand that it will take time for her to blossom
Mina joined us very obese, poor coat condition and badly matted, but is doing great with her gradual weight loss program, and her coat and skin are already improving with her high quality food/supplements in our care
MANDATORY:
*Mina absolutely requires another suitable canine companion in her new home to help with her confidence and for companionship. She is also great with cats but a cat friend is not an alternative for a canine companion.
*Fully fenced secure yard-Mina is too scared to be comfortable going on walks yet but LOVES to run and play in the fenced backyard. This is her happy place.
* No children due to her timid nature. She would be absolutely overwhelmed having children in her home
* No doggie doors
*Pools must be securely fenced in for safety if inground
Mina's spay surgery is scheduled for Dec 4th, after which she will be ready to join her new family after she recovers.
Notes from Mina's foster family
Mina is a gentle, medium-energy girl with a soft heart and a timid spirit who is slowly blossoming in her foster home. She is deeply sweet, playful in her safe spaces, and incredibly affectionate with the people and animals she trusts. Mina will thrive in a patient, quiet home that can help her continue building confidence at her own pace.
Daily Routine & Activity
Mina loves to run, explore, and play in her fenced backyard. She enjoys doing zoomies—especially when her people arrive home! While she is still too fearful to go for walks, she is working on building trust. At this time, she is not safe on a leash, as she becomes frightened and tries to escape her harness.
Her foster family takes her on walks in a large dog stroller to help with her socializing, working on exposure to new sights and sounds due to her flight risk on leash outside of her fenced yard.
She enjoys car rides when carried to the vehicle and happily settles once inside.
Motivation & Training
Mina is selectively food-motivated. She enjoys treats but will only accept them when she is in her safe spots, such as her bed or the couch.
She is still learning basic commands and does not yet know sit, stay, come, or similar cues. Her progress will come with patience, encouragement, and consistency.
Mina loves chew toys and benefits greatly from access to Kong-style toys and safe chew options. She can be destructive with toys so monitoring for safety and providing appropriate chews such as bully sticks, tendons, Jawgler gelatin chews, beef knuckles etc are ideal. Rawhide is NOT safe for dogs.
Social Behavior with Dogs & Cats
Mina loves other dogs, both in the home and those she has met elsewhere. She adores her foster sister, follows her around, and offers lots of kisses. She also has another dog friend she plays with at the foster home.
She lived harmoniously with a visiting cat for two weeks and co-existed beautifully.
Behavior with People
Mina is very fearful with new people and will hide when visitors enter the home. With her foster parents—especially when they are sitting or lying down—she is cuddly, affectionate, and joyful. She seeks out closeness on the couch and loves bedtime snuggles and belly rubs.
She is still afraid of people when they are standing, but she is bravely making small steps forward, such as approaching the dining room threshold at mealtimes to be part of the activity.
House Skills
Housetrained: Yes, though she will have accidents if not let out frequently.
Crate trained: Yes, and she is relaxed and content in her crate.
Alone time: Comfortable being left alone with no signs of separation anxiety.
Touch: Enjoys petting and cuddles from her trusted people.
Mina occasionally struggles with bladder control, especially when excited or if not taken outside often enough. She benefits from frequent outdoor breaks.
Special Notes & Needs
Chewing: Mina loves to chew, so a “chew-safe zone” is important. Items like shoes, pillows, and remote controls should be kept out of reach.
Hydration: She tends not to drink enough water on her own, so adding water to meals helps prevent constipation and supports hydration.
Feeding
Diet: 3 oz of Bold by Nature raw food with omega oil, pureed pumpkin, probiotics and hot water added
Schedule: Twice daily
Temperament
Mina is a sweet, sensitive soul who was formerly a breeding dog at a commercial kennel without any positive interactions with humans. She is fearful of new situations and slow to trust, but she is also gentle, silly, playful, affectionate, and eager for love once she feels safe.
Her biggest improvements so far include allowing touch without fear and no longer urinating when frightened. She continues to show improved courage and resilience every day but will understandably regress in a new home until she bonds and learns to feel safe with her new family.
Transport
Mina is fearful when taken out the front door but enjoys car rides once inside. Carrying her to the vehicle helps her feel safe.
Ideal Home:
A fenced yard for supervised play, zoomies, and outdoor exploration
A friendly resident dog to help build her confidence
A quiet or low-traffic home (she may bark briefly when her humans return)
Patience, gentleness, and a willingness to let her progress on her timeline
A safe space for chewing and relaxing
Mina will flourish with someone who understands her history and can provide a calm, steady environment full of kindness. Once she trusts you, her warm, silly, loving side truly shines.
INTERESTED IN APPLYING?
NOTE: *Based on her life expectancy of another 15+ yrs, Mina is not a suitable match for over 65 yr applicants. Our goal for every dog is to be able to live a full active life in their forever home without ever having to be rehomed or having their needs neglected. Our priority is long-term stability and well-being for each dog in one forever home. She does also require lifting and carrying at times so her new family must be able to provide this indefinitely.
We require all serious applicants to watched "Petfooled" which is a free documentary at this link https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5XC1rUWWnxI , or on Amazon prime
Our motto is "know better/do better" and we ask all adoptive families to be as committed to providing our dogs with quality nutrition as they are to providing love.
An adoption application must be completed and approved, followed by quality of care screening through your vet clinic, & home inspection, prior to meeting available dogs.
All dogs are placed in loving foster homes during their time with us, we do not have a shelter to visit.
We do not allow applicants to visit until pre-approved for adoptions.
Our dogs are in private foster family homes, not in a shelter.
Hobo Haven is located in St Jacobs Ontario.
For approved families, we require in person meetings in St Jacobs ON
If you are not willing to drive to this location to meet our dogs after you are approved, please do not apply.
We do not meet elsewhere nor deliver dogs. Adoptions within Ontario only
Adoption fee: Reduced to $750 (reg $850) due to her timid nature/patience required
Includes: Spay, microchip, vaccinations, deworming, flea/tick/heartworm prevention, bloodwork/heartworm testing, and all vet care, high quality food and supplies during their time with us to set them up for a healthy future.
We have spent far more than this on her vetting and care.
Link to apply https://hobohavenrescue.ca/dog-adoption-application
