| T O P I C R E V I E W |
| rksmith |
Posted - Jan 02 2016 : 09:07:42 AM
is making it very hard for me to not murder her. I have had her since she was 4 months old and she'll be 6 in March. She was born at a humane society shelter and when I picked her up, she was not in a very "humane" living condition. She stresses me out so much. She has high anxiety and gets aggressive with people that she doesn't know or with other dogs, needless to say she doesn't leave the yard. She always acts like she is expecting me to beat her really bad when I have not ever beaten her (though I have really wanted to multiple times), so I don't know how badly she was probably treated for the first 4 months plus she was in an overcrowded dog yard when I got her, so I am sure that didn't help any. Over the years she has had many behavioral problems that I was hoping she'd outgrow but she hasn't. She is super hyper, she jumps all over the place but has finally stopped jumping on me. She is horrible to walk with a leash, but since we don't take her anywhere that isn't a huge issue for me. I had wanted to be able to take her hiking and camping "one day" but I don't ever see that day coming. She has totally destroyed the kennel that we keep her and Tutt in. She rips the fence and gets out, then whines and goes nuts trying to figure out how to get back in. I have patched holes and patched the patches. The kennel is too small to run a hot wire around or I'd have done that long ago and right now I can't afford to get another one or to get the supplies to just build a better dog yard. Yesterday, she got out yet again and got into my greenhouse and destroyed my plants. It took all of my willpower to not shoot her or just beat her to death, I have only been that mad with her once before...when she destroyed the fence where we used to live and got after some livestock. I worry about her getting into the highway (we love off of a busy road) or eventually wandering off the property and bothering someone else's stuff (so far she hasn't left the yard, she stays close to the kennel). I have tried everything that I can think of to train her and nothing has worked, food doesn't motivate her, she won't play with toys, she doesn't play with Tutt, a shock collar did nothing at all to phase her, Caesar Millan's approach did nothing, clicker training did nothing, trying to get her to do an activity to work off energy is like trying to get a boulder to sprout legs and move itself, more attention didn't work, less attention and ignoring her didn't work, attempts to correct her behaviors do nothing either. I have tried to get her to do an obstacle course type activity (and other activities) but she will have none of that. I have tried giving her every type of dog food on the market (and raw) and nothing has made any difference, other than finding a few things that made her act worse. I have tried all kinds of herbal supplements and even bought some that were highly recommended by the vet to get her to calm down but those made her worse. I did ask the vet about prozac or some other antipsychotic med for dogs but she just laughed at me and said that there is nothing wrong with my dog....oh but there is, she is not normal. I've had tons of dogs over the years, growing up on a farm and training hunting dogs I know when a dog is not right and Natalie is definitely not right. I've also had several blue heelers and I know how active and hyper they are, but she is a million times worse than any blue heeler I've ever had with the hyperactivity. I also think that she has something physically wrong that may be contributing to or causing her to act like she does. She runs into things sometimes and stumbles sometimes and will fall. I have to keep a close eye on where she is when we are out because if she gets to running by me she often times will run right into me and has knocked me down a few times, but I don't think that it was on purpose though, I really think that she didn't quite see where I was. I'm not sure if it is her perception in some way that is off, she can see pretty well when she's not running full speed ahead, but when she is running is when she has problems with stumbling, falling and running into things. One day she ran right into a huge tree, I have no idea how she could have missed it. I also found out at the vet that she does have heart worms and she is finally starting to show symptoms of it. The treatment that the vet said was the only option is something that I just cannot afford plus it has a very high risk of killing her if I can't keep her still during the 5 or 6 weeks of treatment--she'd have to be put in a medical coma to stay still for any length of time. I am upset that the vet has dismissed my concerns about Natalie and am hesitant to bother taking her to another vet (and spending hundreds of dollars that I don't have). My husband tells me that since she stresses me out so much to get rid of her or take her to the rescue shelter in town. I have debated that, but I am hesitant to do so because I really believe that she has problems that are physical that she can't control, plus who wants a dog with heart worms and mental problems? I would not want to give someone a dog with her problems because I worry that someone else might abuse her or kill her because of how she acts. But I am also at the point that I can't stand to be around her anymore and I believe that she knows that. Since it has gotten to this point, she seems to be very slightly more calm than usual and wanting me to pet her more and she actually sits still, but now I do not enjoy spending time with her at all. I throw my hands up because I just don't know what to do with her. I really don't want to shoot her, even though at times that sounds like such a wonderful idea. Any suggestions on what I can do with her now?
Rachel
Farmgirl Sister #2753
True enlightenment is nothing but the nature of one's own self being fully realised-- His Holiness the Dali Lama
http://rachelsmithhhp.com
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| 7 L A T E S T R E P L I E S (Newest First) |
| Bonnie Ellis |
Posted - Jan 04 2016 : 7:52:30 PM
Karia, so sad for you but you did the right thing. Sometimes is is just plain difficult. Good luck Rachael.
grandmother and orphan farmgirl |
| hoosiercountry |
Posted - Jan 04 2016 : 12:02:40 PM
Dear Rachel,
I have been thinking on your situation with Natalie, I work very closely with a local rescue. About three years ago we found a dog that was dumped by us, and decided to keep her. Lucy was about one year old, part golden retriever/shepherd. It did not take long to understand why she was dumped, very hyper, short attention spam, hard to control on a leash, destructive to kennels and fences. I did the shock collar with minimal effect, we did training with a close neighbor who raises and trains search and rescue labs, she failed badly. My vet said he had neurological issues and would need medication to calm her, we tried and it helped some but the issues went beyond what medication could fix, he felt she had mental handicap issues that would make her very difficult in a normal setting. Now we have 3 fenced in acres and she could go and run all she wanted but there became trust with the other animals. She killed one of my geese and was always wanting the chickens, would chase our cats ( shock collar was always on her). I like you became, not hate, but not so in love with Lucy, so I found someone though the rescue willing to try, Lucy was good for the first few days, then she tore through the pen, killed a cat, destroyed the house. My friend keep Lucy for almost 14 months with no change in her, unless she was so medicated all she would do was lay around in a drugged state, what kind of life is that. Then she bit not only my friend but a young boy that was visiting. The decision was made to put Lucy down, it was not an easy decision but once the trust was broken with the biting, it was decided there was no other choice, she had been given the love, time and help with poor results. I do believe all animals deserve the chance with help to be loved and cared for and with so many homeless ones out there waiting for their chance, we need to give them that chance.
The decision is never easy but the medical care and cost Natalie will need has to factor in. I hate it when the medical cost for our pets who become our family is totally out of reach and leaves us with little choice but to have to put them down. If the Heart worm damage is severe think of her quality of life. If you so decide to put her down the be the loving owner and take her to the vet and hold her and tell her she was loved and let her feel loved in that last goodbye. Hugs to you in your decision whatever it might be Karla. |
| GoddessintheGroove |
Posted - Jan 04 2016 : 11:49:26 AM
I am sorry, but you have dealt with her until now, so there must be love :).
I would have her checked, and if not anxiety medicine, try Bach's Rescue Remedy in her water.
Also, it sounds like Natalie would benefit from some strenuous exercise, then leash training.
I have a GSD now that needs to RUN, otherwise he is a nervous wreck. I am ordereding a bike stick where
I can clip him to my bike and ride :). Then I train.
I would try the different options mentioned: Halti, Gentle Leader (different breeds to better with one or the other), and I use a prong collar when we are walking (this is very safe & effective when used correctly, but in your case, I would try the leaders first). If you have a good pet store nearby, they may let you"try" the different leaders before purchasing one. Definitely have them fit it.
Good luck!
FarmGirl Sister #2245
"A journey back to the roots..."
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"Women with opinions, pendants, & KitchenWitches...all in one."
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| prariehawk |
Posted - Jan 03 2016 : 4:56:19 PM
I use a Halti harness when I walk Jaxon. Sometimes dogs will respond better to a harness than a collar. There is also a dog pheromone--it is the scent that a mother dog emits to calm her puppies--you can get it at some pet stores and I think the Drs. Foster & Smith catalog carries it. You can spray it on the dog's collar (or bandanna) and it helps to calm the dog. And I hope you get the heartworms treated--a young dog is a lot easier to treat than an older dog. Most young dogs can withstand the treatment. I would also see another vet.
Cindy
"Come by the hills to the land where fancy is free; And stand where the peaks meet the sky and the rocks reach the sea.Where the rivers run clear and the bracken is gold in the sun. and cares of tomorrow must wait till this day is done"--Loreena McKennit
"In many ways, you don't just live in the country, it lives inside you"--Ellen Eilers
Visit my blog at http://www.farmerinthebelle.blogspot.com/ |
| rksmith |
Posted - Jan 03 2016 : 4:42:09 PM
Natalie's problem isn't so much that she pulls on the leash, she wants to stay right up my butt, BUT she jumps all over the place on the leash, in front of me, beside me, behind me...she makes it impossible to walk her with all of the jumping she does. She's even jumped into me a few times. I try to keep reminding myself that she has problems but it is still just so hard to keep putting up with when nothing else that I've tried has helped. I hadn't quite considered the PTSD from her immediate puppyhood. I will look into some ways of managing that and see if it helps. Thanks Marie for that idea!
Rachel
Farmgirl Sister #2753
True enlightenment is nothing but the nature of one's own self being fully realised-- His Holiness the Dali Lama
http://rachelsmithhhp.com
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| DandeeRose |
Posted - Jan 03 2016 : 3:47:27 PM
Oh, Rachel. I am so sorry. I don't really have any advice. The ONLY thing I can think of to help with any of these issues, is the walking on a leash. Araya, our german shepherd, pulls us all OVER the place! We want to take her with us places, especially the nursing one and such. The ONLY thing that has ever helped is a gentle leader. There are several kinds. I am leaving a link so you can search from there. Good luck, sweetie. Wish I knew more.
http://www.amazon.com/PetSafe-Premier-Release-GENTLE-LEADER/dp/B00H5BVPA6/ref=sr_1_3?ie=UTF8&qid=1451864609&sr=8-3&keywords=dog+leash+gentle+leader
Many Blessings- Alicia #5232
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Life isn't about waiting for the storm to pass; it's about learning to dance in the rain." |
| churunga |
Posted - Jan 03 2016 : 09:08:20 AM
I would take her to another vet to get her assessed for neurological problems and get that heart worm treated. At the very least, get her some anti-anxiety medication so you can bond with her again as she dies from heart worm. She reminds me of some of the kids I encounter in the inner city elementary school. These kids show the same types of behavior as Natalie. I believe Natalie is suffering from post traumatic stress and it coping with it as best as she can just like these kids. I totally understand your feelings about her. She has been treated very badly at an age when she should have been properly taught how to live. I don't know what else to tell you. Whenever I see a person who I really do not like, I think to myself "well, I don't have to like them but I can always be kind." Natalie will remember your kindness.
Marie, Sister #5142
Farmgirl of the Month May 2014
Try everything once and the fun things twice. |
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