WADE

Wade was found straying at just 16 weeks old. He was my 4th foster dog

I had no intention of adding a 3rd permanent dog to my home when I took him in at 16 weeks old. I was expecting chaotic puppy energy and lots of cuddles until we found his forever home. What I received was a rather timid boy who was very worried about approaching people. If you tried to encourage him to play or cuddle he would run and hide. Thankfully, he took a shine to my oldest collie, who took him under his wing and showed him how to play, and I’m sure watching him get cuddles definitely made Wade try and have some himself. I decided I couldn’t uproot his little life any further than he’d already had, and I applied to adopt him. 

Being a bearded collie, I knew once his confidence was up he would need to have a job to do to keep his mind happy and healthy. So we started agility training. Turns out, although he loved playing at home, outside, he shut down to the point that we just took a break from all the training he was doing (agility basics, puppy classes, and good citizen) and decided we would go completely at his pace. 

Around 7 months old, we had a confident, happy boy, and we decided to try agility again because he just LOVED to run super fast! Suddenly, he found his SPARK! He loved working with me, and he loved agility, so we carried on training.

He was very difficult to reward as he didn’t want food and toys he found too conflicting. His favourite reward was just to keep going. 

We eventually started competing, and the love of the game just continued to explode, to the point that we’ve only had three clear runs to our names as agility makes him crackers, but the one thing judges and competitors always comment us on is how much he clearly loves me and the game and that is better than any ribbon we could ever achieve. 

From a timid young pup scared of the world to a fiercely loyal, lovebug who will give strangers great big hugs.

He even started taking over my oldest collies role as my medical alert dog.  just passed his gold good citizen test, achieved his rally obedience level 2 excellent title, and has achieved clear rounds in hoopers.

He will likely be my forever grade 1 agility dog as his excitement overcomes his brain but as long as he comes out of that ring with a big smile on his goofy face, we will continue to play the game. 

 

Alex Cook - June 2026