| T O P I C R E V I E W |
| Mnhorsemom |
Posted - Aug 29 2008 : 05:54:38 AM
about 4 weeks ago my Mom got a foster dog, a 3 year old ShiZu (sp?) that had come from a puppy mill. He had supposedly been in another foster situation for a while. Anyway, this poor dog is scared of everything!!! After about 2 weeks Mom could barely touch him, you have to keep a leash hooked to his harness just to be able to catch him in the house. He's getting pretty OK with her now if she is home by herself but if anyone comes in the house he's under the bookscase or table or whatever and won't come out. She is having a really hard time trying to take him out to potty. SHe carries him out and as soon as she puts him down he locks up his legs and won't move. Poor Mom has been in tears more than once over this dog, I'm afraid she won't be able to deal with it much longer if things don't at least start to improve. We have been putting some rescue remedy in his water for the last week but that doesn't seem to have made any difference. Anyone have any suggestions? TIA
Farm House Formulas Battle Lake, MN |
| 4 L A T E S T R E P L I E S (Newest First) |
| doglady |
Posted - Aug 29 2008 : 8:11:16 PM
Hi Kathy,
What you are describing is a "severe case of kennelosis". I think that's the spelling. I purchased a year old stud dog from a good breeder who kept her dogs in a regular kennel setting. This dog had never had a leash on him and didn't even know his name and was a year old. This lady's husband was also a veterinarian too! Anyway, from October through March the following year I introduced him to different noises very slowly. I didn't allow anyone to handle him except me. I would work on one thing for a period of 1-2 weeks or longer until he had that mastered and then move on to the next thing. After months of basic solication, I enrolled him in a regular obedience class where he graduated top and earned his Canine Good Citizen Award and has become a good stud dog. But remember, I knew from 29 years of experience how to correct his problem and most folks don't.
This will take "extreme patience" on your mom's part IF this little guy can be turned around. If your mom is not up to it, it would be better for her and him to be returned to the organization and she should get a dog that she can better handle. I know that will upset her but it would be better for both in the long run. It sounds like this guy needs a lot of professional help even though everyone has good intentions towards him. I hope you find the best solution for both of them. Good Luck.
Tina
You can tell your dog all of your secrets and they'll never say a word!
www.kennelcreations.com |
| Alee |
Posted - Aug 29 2008 : 08:35:28 AM
I agree- also if he was in a puppy mill he probably has no idea what "outside" is and what "grass" is. I have a friend that adopted a rescued dog that had been from a puppy mill. For the first 6 months he was terrified of outside and especially grass because he had never been exposed to it.
Also the dog- as weird as this sounds- might feel better if he has access to a crate to hide in. I would just never close the door to lock him in.
Alee
Farmgirl Sister #8
www.awarmheart.com
Please come visit Nora and me on our new blog:
www.farmgirlalee.blogspot.com
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| Homespun Livin |
Posted - Aug 29 2008 : 07:50:42 AM
I agree with Jonni. Please don't give up on this little dog. Think of him as you would a foster child who was put into foster care and then taken out and put in again. Poor little dog needs to feel secure and it is a good thing that he has a little trust in your mom. It is going to take a great deal of love and patience and more love and patience. The longer your mom keeps him and works with him the more secure and trusting he will become with her. He might not ever be a dog that warms up to other people, but at least he will eventually realize that your mom loves him and won't leave him. Please tell your mom she is doing a great thing and to keep up the good work! Every dog needs a forever home. :)
"Love one another." |
| KYgurlsrbest |
Posted - Aug 29 2008 : 06:07:28 AM
Well, if this dog came from a puppy mill and was in a foster situation before, and has been moved again, all those old behaviors of insecurity and fear can easily come back. I worked for an animal shelter for several years and dogs who have never had any type of socialization have difficult times in regular home environments because....well, it's completely foreign. I think what your mom will have to do is lower her expectations--this isn't a normal dog--think of the poor thing as someone with a mental or physical challenge. How would you accomodate another type of handicap in the home?
I feel like there are "too" many options for the dog, and it's probably overwhelming. Can she put the dog in a laundry room, or smaller room with a baby gate? You might not see him for hours at a time, but in time, if she goes about her business, he'll come around. Toys and snacks aren't going to do the trick yet, because this dog doesn't even know what those are. Also, isolating him a bit will be easier to snatch him up to go to the potty. Remember, just because he's been in foster (for how long, i actually wonder...) before, your mom's house is a totally new environment. I would NOT expect him to be a happy friendly dog with other folks...remember, everytime a human walked into this dogs life, they promptly left and there was no affection, nor any inclusion--so humans ARE scary and cold natured, and something not so great happens when they arrive on the scene. It's very promising that he seems to trust your mom--that's a major positive! You simply can't expect much more right now.
Maybe you might contact the rescue and ask them for tips on how to deal with the potty issue--otherwise, patience is key in this situation.
Sorry this one is such a challenge, but your mom is doing a wonderful thing!!
Farmgirl Sister #80, thanks to a very special farmgirl from the Bluegrass..."She was built like a watch, a study in balance ... with a neck and head so refined, like a drawing by DaVinci"...
NY Newsday sportswriter Bill Nack describing filly, Ruffian.
http://www.buyhandmade.org/ |
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