Rescue story
After receiving a tip about five abandoned dogs and the remains of another, WEACT went to a breeding facility in Ilpae-dong, Namyangju. It had been two years since our last visit, but the place appeared frozen in time, hardly different from before. The dogs' lives hadn't improved at all, suffering from neglect as the local authorities turned a blind eye. They were left to scavenge for food in constant hunger and forced into continuous breeding and birthing cycles. When the breeder became aware of our rescue attempt, he tried to secretly relocate the dogs under the cover of night. During this process, we also discovered and saved additional mother dogs and their pups hidden in nearby vacant lots, neighboring yards, and even inside homes. Through persistent persuasion and negotiation, we finally convinced the unscrupulous breeder to give up ownership. With the assistance of the KK9 organization, we successfully rescued all the dogs in the breeder’s possession. Among them was #weact_roche, who was finally able to escape the dark, stuffy breeding facility and embrace a new life.


Personality
Roche who now stands before a wider world needs warm encouragement. In the breeding facility, the male-to-female ratio was less than 5%. It appears that Roche, who was exploited as a breeding dog, may still carry painful memories from that period. As a result, he may unconsciously exhibit mounting behavior, but with nurturing and stability, he can rediscover his true self. As a small dog, Roche is afraid of sudden movements and loud noises from people, so please treat him with kindness and gentleness. He may feel apprehensive around larger dogs, but he still approaches timid friends gently and reassures them. Roche is a happy dog who knows how to fully enjoy his time playing with other dogs.


With humans
Roche may become somewhat timid in unfamiliar environments but quickly reveals his true self. He eagerly awaits someone's approach, and when they finally do, he wags his tail and jumps around, seeking affection. Anyone who witnesses this will surely smile. In the breeding facility, there was no positive interaction with humans. Please shower Roche with love so that he can build up happy memories.


With dogs
Roche is good at befriending other dogs and readily approaches even timid friends to play with them. However, he tends to be fearful and cautious around larger dogs. It appears that his smaller size and limited experience with larger dogs contribute to this behavior.


With cats
Roche has never met or lived with cats.


Energy level
Roche needs to go for walks at least twice a day. Even if the walk is short, it's important to take him out frequently to play his favorite game of ball and engage in various activities to create enjoyable memories. Roche is more curious about the outside world, which is filled with new experiences, than spending the entire day indoors.


Shedding/Barking
Roche doesn't shed much. He may bark when he wants to be let out of his kennel to play and in response to changes or stimuli in the environment.


Needs help with
Due to long periods of indoor living, outdoor activities might seem unfamiliar to Roche, but he’s undergoing leash training very well. It's important to provide him with opportunities to experience and think about various aspects of the world through continuous leash walks. Additionally, Roche has high energy levels, so teaching him ‘sit’ or ‘wait’ would help him relax.


Health specifics
Due to being confined in a narrow space, Roche may have patellar issues, so close observation and regular care are required. Please keep in mind that his ear shape makes him susceptible to ear-related conditions. Roche has a modest appetite and is not very food-motivated, so it's important to pay attention to his nutrition and diet management.


Ideal family
Roche is highly active, and when he has excess energy, he may run around indoors and chew on potty pads. Engaging in activities like playing catch and going for walks can help him channel this energy. Additionally, assisting him in relaxing and staying calm would be beneficial. Roche is obedient and gets along well with other dogs. However, if there is a large dog in your household, it's essential to carefully plan the introduction because he's fearful of bigger dogs. He tends to bark, likely due to the noise exposure he experienced in the breeding facility. If you are sensitive to noise or live in a place where noise complaints may be a concern, Roche may not be the most suitable fit. While his world was confined to the small breeding facility for a long time, he's now eager to explore all the interesting and joyful experiences the world has to offer. Roche looks forward to a family that values the everyday moments spent with him, rather than just taking him for walks out of a sense of obligation.


More photos and videos
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