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Adopt Spike

Labrador Retriever · Unknown

Spike came to us due to poor care and is now looking for the right people. The Labrador-mix is a very insecure dog who needs a lot of support and guidance, as he has lacked this so far. One must first earn and work hard to gain his trust. However, once you have his trust, he will form a strong bond with a person. Here, one must be careful that he does not start defending this person. Sudden hand or leg movements are perceived as threatening by Spike, and he reacts in fear. If his reassurance signals are ignored, his fear can turn into aggression. Due to incidents in his previous home, Spike is required to wear a muzzle and leash, and it is also generally recommended to use a muzzle during training. On walks, it becomes very clear that Spike has not had much experience in his life. He is very stressed outdoors and does not quite know how to handle himself. Therefore, he needs someone who can guide him through all situations with confidence and physically handle him, as he weighs quite a bit due to his size. To keep him properly occupied, mental exercises are recommended, as they can bring more calm into the training. Fetch games, however, should be avoided as he gets very excited quickly. Fellow animals are usually not a problem for him, but an existing only dog should be confident in dealing with both humans and dogs. If interested, we look forward to a meaningful email with your phone number.

Read original (de)

Spike kam aufgrund von schlechter Haltung zu uns und sucht nun die richtigen Menschen für sich. Der Labrador-mix ist ein sehr unsicherer Hund, der viel Rückhalt und Führung bracht, denn das hat ihm bis jetzt gefehlt. Sein Vertrauen muss man sich erstmal verdienen und hart erarbeiten. Doch hat man sein Vertrauen einmal, bindet er sich stark an eine Person. Hier muss man allerdings dann aufpassen, das er nicht anfängt diese Person zu verteidigen. Ruckartige Hand oder Beinbewegungen findet Spike bedrohlich und reagiert verängstigt. Ignoriert man dann seine Beschwichtigungssignale kann die Angst bei Spike dann auch in Aggression umschlagen. Aufgrund von Vorfällen im alten Zuhause hat Spike eine Maulkorb und Leinen Pflicht, es empfiehlt sich aber auch allgemein im Training bei ihm einen Maulkorb zu benutzen. Auf Spaziergängen zeigt sich bei Spike sehr deutlich, dass er in seinem bisherigen Leben nicht besonders viel kennengelernt hat. Er ist draußen sehr gestresst und weiß nicht so ganz wohin mit sich. Deshalb braucht er jemanden der ihn souverän durch alle Situationen durchführen und ihm körperlich etwas entgegensetzen kann da er aufgrund seiner Größe einige Kilos auf die Waage bringt. Um ihn richtig auszulasten empfiehlt sich die Kopfarbeit, da man damit mehr ruhe ins Training bringen kann. Apportierspiele sollte man jedoch besser lassen, da er sich dabei sehr schnell hochfährt. Artgenossen sind meistens für ihn kein Problem, ein bereits vorhandener Ersthund sollte aber souverän im Umgang mit Mensch und Hund sein. Bei Interesse freuen wir uns über eine aussagekräftige Email mit Angabe der Rufnummer an .

Size
Age
Location
🇩🇪Germany
Shelter
Tierheim Troisdorf
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Cared for by Tierheim Troisdorf · GermanyLearn about Labrador Retriever

Listed 6 days ago

Bringing Spike home

What you'll need for Spike in week one.

Hand-picked · prices indicative

  1. 01
    Required by most shelters

    Trixie Transport Box

    Sturdy plastic carrier — what most shelters require for pickup.

    View on Amazon
    €35–45
  2. 02
    Editor's pick

    Folding Wire Crate

    First-week safe space. Shelter dogs settle faster with a crate.

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    €50–80
  3. 03
    Legal · EU

    Car Seatbelt Tether

    Legally required in most EU countries for transporting dogs.

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    €8–12
  4. 04

    Adaptil Calming Spray

    Dog-specific pheromone diffuser. Worth it for the trip home.

    View on Amazon
    €18–25
  5. 05

    Orthopaedic Dog Bed

    Worth the upgrade — rescues often have joint issues from kennels.

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    €30–60
  6. 06
    Safer than a collar

    Padded Y-Front Harness

    Escape-proof for spooky rescues. Safer than a collar in week one.

    View on Amazon
    €20–35

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About Spike

What life with Spike looks like

Spike is a adult labrador retriever dog waiting at Tierheim Troisdorf in Germany.

An adult dog fits most household rhythms once the first couple of weeks of adjustment pass. Two reasonable walks a day plus play time is usually enough. Plan a "decompression fortnight" — quiet routine, no visitors, no off-leash adventures — to let them settle.

🇩🇪Adopting from Germany

German rescues typically require an in-person home visit (Vorkontrolle) or detailed video home check before approving adoption. Animals leave the shelter sterilized, microchipped, and with a valid EU pet passport. Adoption fees usually fall between €250 and €450, covering veterinary preparation.

Germany, Germany browse more dogs in Germany.

Frequently asked

Adopting Spike, answered.

How do I contact the shelter about Spike?
Use the phone, email, or website link in the sidebar of this page. Tierheim Troisdorf handles screening and the adoption contract directly — TailHarbor doesn't broker the conversation. When you reach out, mention you saw Spike on TailHarbor so they know which animal you're asking about.
Can I adopt Spike if I live in another country?
Yes, in most cases. Rescues across Europe routinely place animals abroad — Tierheim Troisdorf will tell you what they need (EU pet passport, rabies titer, transport coordination) and whether they handle transport themselves or refer you to a partner. Plan for an extra €100–€350 in transport costs depending on distance.
Is Spike already vetted, vaccinated, and chipped?
Most dogs on TailHarbor leave their shelter with sterilization, current vaccinations, microchip ID, and an EU pet passport included in the adoption fee. The vet status on this page reflects what the shelter has reported — ask them directly if you need details on specific vaccines, recent bloodwork, or chronic conditions.
What happens if Spike isn't the right fit?
Every reputable rescue accepts an animal back if the adoption genuinely doesn't work — that's part of the standard contract. Talk it through with Tierheim Troisdorf early rather than rehoming privately; they know Spike and can place them more successfully than a second-hand listing can.
Why does the description sometimes read awkwardly?
TailHarbor translates shelter descriptions into English from the source language (DE). Translation is imperfect — names of streets, donors, and shelter-specific terms occasionally slip through unidiomatically. For the cleanest read, click the source link to see the shelter's original page.
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