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This is a special section for dogs needing new homes and for inspiring stories of dogs that have found their furever home through Dogster or through the love and energy of rescuers. This is also the place to discuss shelters, rescue organizations, rescue strategies, issues, solutions, etc. and how we can all help in this critical endeavor. Remember that we are all here for the love of dog! If you are posting about a dog that needs a new home, please put your location in the topic of your thread so those close by can find you! Make sure to check out Dogster's dog adoption center!
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Opie CGC
997659 | 
 | | Barked: Fri Nov 6, '09 10:49am PST | |  | |  | | Okay this is going to be long b/c I'm going to vent and then ask for advice.  I got a new foster Sunday, a dobie mix that I think is about 5 months. He's obviously had no socialization so he's scared to death. Some lousy excuse for a human dropped him and two littermates over the fence at a local animal shelter. On a good note even when I had to catch him and pick him up he just froze and didn't offer to growl or bite so I think he's going to be a great dog, in a few months. He became crazy attached to Heidi from day one and gets very anxious and paces if he's not with her so thats how I'm moving him in and out. He likes his crate and will go in if I sort of herd him that direction or he gets extra nervous ( the phone rings, I sneeze, talk, move ect) but he cries and howls when I leave the house. How can a dog that won't let me touch him have seperation anxiety? I got him where he will accept food out of my hand most of the time as long as Heidi is with me and he does want to be in the room with me now ( he spent a good chunk of the first evening hiding in my closet). He will even walk up to about four feet from me wagging his tail but then he chickens out and bolts off. He's all puppy and it seems like every five minutes I'm trying to take something from him without scaring him. lol I try to be patient b/c I know he's just clueless, a lot of dogs will countersurf.. he countersurfed my new iphone right in front of me totally cluesless to the fact that might make me unhappy. I had placed his crate next to my bed to help with but I had to move it to the other side of the house b/c at 3 in the morning is about the time he decides he's bored with the crate and wants out and starts hollering. So basically I have a puppy that I can't train, can't pet and have gotten no sleep. BOL and to top it off I'm all ready getting so attached he will be the first foster I have trouble giving up. Okay to my questions... Any tips on making friends besides feeding him by hand? Also he panicked and refused to move when I put a leash on him to bring him home, I'd like to tether him to me so I can keep him with me and not in his crate with minimal loss of stuff, do you think it's too soon to put a leash on him and let him drag it around the house and try to get use to it? I'm torn between really wanting to be able to leash him and not wanting to be associated with anything negative. Also how can I work on him being okay without the other dogs, normally I would just use lots of treats but he won't even consider it if the other dogs aren't in the room with him. If I could keep him I would be less stressed about doing it quickly but I really need to get him to a vet ( he was examined at the shelter but needs more shots and his neuter) and into a permanent home before the spring. Plus it scares me to have a dog that if he somehow did get out of the fence would just be gone. Is there any chance I can get this dog where he will be okay at an adoption event by January? |  |  | |  |
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Toby
As if I could- get cuter! |
 | | Barked: Fri Nov 6, '09 4:16pm PST | | | | | | Firstly, Opie, you're doing everything right. I have kitty fosters, and a lot of the time they turn up frightened, what I do is just act normal, sit around watching TV, or potter about the kitchen. Eventually they realise I'm no threat and creep out, it takes a long while, but animals who have lived in an abusive situation don't always have 'over the threshold' and 'under the threshold', sometimes they just live in fear.
Just carry on what you're doing, and eventually you'll persuade him to be comfortable enough to take treats, then the real work can begin.
Secondly, 'Barry White' is a very lucky pup, the transformation is awesome, and I'm so glad he landed on his feet. | | | | |
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Titus
Caveo, canis- vigilo omnis |
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Toby
137592 |
| | Barked: Sun Nov 8, '09 7:54am PST | | | | | | I would think by January the puppy will have made some big improvements, but you are definitely in for the long haul. Foster's like that, and I have had a few, take things at their own pace. Puppies luckily move a little quicker along...usually. Usually first two weeks or so I let them just watch, and expect nothing out of them. I got about normal business and ignore them more then anything, and the dog tends to want to get involved once they see all the fun stuff my own dogs do.
Your pup seems to be in the majority, in that he/she likes your dog. I would spend time with Heidi just sitting on the floor and petting her for and hour or two a day, and just let the puppy watch. They seem to take a lot in that, and eventually they want to get involved.
Another thing that has worked for me is setting up an open crate in a high traffic area (kitchen, family room) and make it a no touch area, where the puppy learns they can go to get away from the stress and no one will both them. I had one foster that just watched us from her crate for two weeks, and then seemingly decided that we were all okay, and we moved right along.
As to leashing, I like that idea of tethering to Heidi for a while. I would prob. go with a harness and leash rather then collar and leash, and let the puppy just drag it around and get used to it.
Sounds like a fun foster though. Patience is the only real route to take in my opinion. I had one foster that really took a good four-six months to start acting like his true self, but it was a smooth transition. He watched and learned. Anyway, this is just what has worked for me, so thought I would throw it out there.
Good luck!! You are doing such a nice thing for the puppy! | | | | |
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