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The doghouse

Update from rescue do

5 replies

Dogzeyes · 25/08/2015 21:09

Hey I've had to re-register after hacker-gate but I just wanted to update you all with what been happening with us because I'm so happy Grin

Here are my previous threads:
www.mumsnet.com/Talk/the_doghouse/2425866-Help-rescue-dog-problems

www.mumsnet.com/Talk/the_doghouse/2450304-Re-homing-Advice

So we have really been working hard with this dog, following the behaviourist advice and I'm pleased to report he has improved massively in such a small space of time. He needs to be watched like a hawk with guests still but the counter-conditioning is working well and his agression is so much better. Limited to a bit of barking and growling. He is growing massively in confidence and everyone has mentioned how much less scared he is. He is slowly becoming the most loyal dog with me and DH and as he grows in confidence with us his anxiety has rescued with strangers. He has been letting strangers touch him and approaching other dogs with friendly confidence. He has even made a doggie friend. He has a clean bill of health no more dodgy teeth or ear infections and is on a daily dose of zyklene which seems to be helping.

Me and DH have decided tonight we are definitely going to keep him now and are planning a holiday to the highlands of Scotland with him to celebrate. I'm so pleased he has come so far in such a short space of time. He still has a long way to go but he is responding to training really well. It's been really really hard work but we are already reaping the rewards.

I'm so happy I could burst

Update from rescue do
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basildonbond · 25/08/2015 22:15

That is such a lovely update. You've worked so hard with him - and your dh too.

I hope all three of you have a fabulous holiday

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TheHoundsBitch · 25/08/2015 22:22

So pleased for you :)
We were advised by trainers (and in fact the rescue! Not 'pet dog material' apparently!) to return our dog to rescue at the beginning and we kept her - she's a pain in the arse but we love her like a furry child Grin

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honeyroar · 25/08/2015 22:35

I'm pleased for you, and relieved for the dog. There will be more ups and downs, but eventually the ups will win. Don't give up.

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pigsDOfly · 25/08/2015 23:46

Love the change of name Dogz. I'm one of the posters who followed the ups and downs of both your previous threads.

I'm so pleased for you and DH and of course Ddog. Tbh I would have been very surprised by any other outcome. I think everyone who followed your thread knew in the end you wouldn't give up on him.

Have a wonderful holiday.

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Dogzeyes · 28/09/2015 19:56

Hello all,

I thought I would give you an update 4 months or so on. He has really grown in confidence with us and we are getting into a nice routine and are mostly very happy with him. He is good with us and has bonded with a few of our family members which means he is now friendly with them. My mums is now a home away from home Smile

The negatives are that the aggression is still there and he has nipped a few people since my last update. He went through a stage of getting better but he has sort of relapsed a bit. DH's family are all really into dominance training (and unsurprisingly he doesn't really settle at their house as they all insist on telling him off - and the main people he goes to nip is FIL and BIL) me and DH have had many arguments about it and when I ask them all to stop telling the dog off for growling/nipping I get a lecture on how he needs discipline Hmm DH does stand up for me there but I know that deep down he agrees with them and they can sense that so they just ignore me. It's a bit of a struggle tbh and I am feeling a bit worn down by it all.

Anyway DH and the behaviourist did not really see eye to eye completely because she was purely a postive reinforcement trainer so we have compromised on a behaviourist that does do 'correction' as well as positive reinforcement but not ceasar Milan style more Victoria Stillwell style.

I'll let you know how we get on.

Apart from this one issues he really is a lovely lovely dog and we have a great bond with him are both very attached to him. He voluntarily walks to heel on walks (apart from when he is tearing around having the time of his life), is great on recall, he is really growing in confidence with other dogs and will happily sniff and be sniffed (although he still doesn't really play), people on walks who have known him from the beginning all say how well he is coming along and he generally is much healthier and happier so not bad for 4 months.

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