Volunteering For Dachshund Charity The Red Foundation

I volunteer for a Dachshund charity called The Red Foundation.  I train alongside their behaviourists and take on the more challenging cases, usually the ones with a bite history, severe anxiousness or just truly troubled souls.

I have taken on 4 in total since the beginning of 2024, 3 have stayed with me as foster fails and 1 has gone onto to be adopted into her forever home.

My middle foster fail is a wire haired standard dachshund called Dora.  She was imported from Russia in 2019 and immediately put into a breeding programme, delivering 3 litters of pups between 2020 and 2023.  She was then surrendered by the breeder as after 3 litters they cannot keep their premium status with the Kennel Club

Dora was adopted by a lovely couple in Newquay, Cornwall however within a couple of weeks she had bitten the husband, attacked their resident dog and lunged and bitten several people in the village.  She was immediately surrendered to the Red Foundation who asked if I would take her on and work with them to explore her behaviour and attempt to  rehabilitate her.

The journey that Dora has been on has been incredible to witness, and yes we have a few wounded souls in the village due to her need to taste  flesh LOL.   We eventually  diagnosed her with severe  hormonal imbalances and after some medical intervention, behavioural work (a lot of it!) and a subsequent spaying to neuter her she is now the most charming, loving and funny little dog.

Dora needs a job as these are fundamentally working dogs and need mental stimulation more than the physical exercise.  Dora has completed and just passed her Bronze level in scent work.  She is now taking part in trials and will work next year towards her Silver and Gold qualifications.  The hope is that she will become a medical detection dog and be able to sniff out diseases and chronic disabilities like Cancer, epilepsy, diabetes etc.

Caroline Delevigne

Finance Team Leader