Jax is Joy · Shoot the Dog, Volume Four, page 40
Jax the Dalmatian: third time lucky
Jax had already had two homes by the time he was nearly three. His page in Shoot the Dog, Volume Four explains how the third one stuck.
Third family, third birthday
Adopted by his third family last year, just before his third birthday, it appears it was the third time lucky for this handsome Spot.
It was not instant. "With zero training and energy to burn, Jax was all kinds of 'naughty' but never destructive."
What changed
His family's answer was patient and practical: "Things slowly changed with two daily walks and home-based training with lots of treats!" Then "A conveniently booked family holiday finally sealed the deal. He loved his new mum and dad as much as they loved him!"
If you have taken on a young adult dog with no training, that list may be worth keeping: two walks a day, training at home, plenty of treats, and time together.
The last challenge
There was one more thing to work on. "Dalmatians love their food and Jax was no exception." This "chunky athlete" was not happy about the change, his page admits, "but has trimmed off 5kgs (2 to go!)."
Looking at the portrait above, running flat out along the sand with a rubber chicken in his mouth, the athlete part seems well in hand.
Worth it
His page ends with three words and a small admission:
Jax is Joy. The shedding is worth it...
Every family photographed for Shoot the Dog paid a $100 participation fee, and all of it went directly to an animal rescue group. Where the $100 went names the five rescues.