rescue dog?????

[myermay]

ok we've been contemplating getting a dog for a while now. We have been looking at rescues as there are so many dogs that need a good home. Anyway went to see a lovely dog last week, she was a cross bread who is only 7 mths, fab with our kids and us, very soppy etc. however she has been badly treated, she has a burn on her and cowers if you pick a stick up to throw - but suprisingly trusting of us, it broke our heart. So we were all ready to say yes to her, when my husband introduced her to a large dog that we often look after and have the odd day a week - she was terrifyed and kept hiding behind us and snapping at this dog. Sounds ridiculous but she wasn't snarling or growling she just snapped out of fright.

Should this completely put me off?? my heart says no but my head says yes, do you think it would be easy to start to socialise her and "nip this in the bud" or would you not take the risk??

[myermay]

anyone any experience of this?

[ZippysMum]

We have 2 gorgeous rescue dogs. One of them displays similar 'fear anxiety / aggression' to other dogs that you describe in your post. He is perfect in the house.

We have taken him to training, socialised with other dogs, spoken to the animal behaviourist from the charity where we got him, but he still goes bonkers when we walk past other dogs. We adore him, but will be really careful next time we get a rescue to take one that is 'bombproof' - we are about to have our 1st DC's (twins), and we won't be able to walk the dogs with the pushchair unless we are both there because of this.

There are plenty of rescues who don't have these issues - though they probably come with other problems . For example, our second rescue LOVES other dogs, but the first thing she did when she got to our house was wee on our bed!

If you do decide to go ahead, I can recommend a harness for the dog. It certainly helps us feel more in control and means the dog can't slip it's collar and put itself or other dogs in danger.

Hope that is of some help. And hope you enjoy your dog!

[myermay]

thanks for your advise, the thing is she doesn't pull to get to the other dog she either stands still of cowers and snaps at other dog

[spugs]

My youngest pup has fear aggression towards other dogs. She growls and then snaps.
Shes only 3 months old and there has been no bad treatment etc. Our vet says its because of her size and shes very aware of how vulnerable she is.
Were working on it and shes going to puppy play school. The puppies get to play together and after one session she would let them come over to her with out snapping but it has to be taken very slowly. Its going to take a long time and a lot of work to build up my pups confidence and even then she might not be 100%.

I would contact a dog behaviourist before taking the dog and see if they think the problem can be rectifiyed. The age of the dog could be helpful as at 7 months old shes still a puppy. So would prob be more open to socialisation then an older dog.

How long was she around the other dog for? Did she have enough time to start to calm down? Was the dog bigger then her? More domminant? Same/different sex?
Whats she like with other dogs within the rescue? Does she do the same thing with all dogs or just certain ones?

Lots of questions but it might give you some idea of what your dealing with if its just certain dogs that set her off or all dogs. My pup doesnt like anything bigger then her which considering she weighs 2 lbs makes things difficult

Good luck whatever you decide, has the shelter offered you any advice?

[myermay]

thank you. other dog i look after is bigger a gsd and she bounds up but is harmless. Her foster carer said she was initially like it with her own dog but is fine now, apparently she's easily corrected and she's so sweet. Also the rescue centre said they put her in kennels with the other dogs and she was fine! so,i'm sure it can be worked on but what is making me worried is that i walk this gsd 2 x a wk and will be looking after her for 2 wks over christmas, do you think things should have settled by then

[minimu]

Fear issues can be the hardest ones to solve and can take an awfully long time. I would be very very vary.

It is hard when you have already fallen in love with a dog but do remember that there will be another home for it which may be better suited for this dog.

Also there is the right rescue dog out there waiting for you it may not be this one only you can decide but you will have a long path ahead of you. If fear aggression is not treated right and even when treated well can be a major problem for life and usually means that the dog may themselves display agression.

[vjg13]

One of the dogs that I walk is a rescue dog and had been rehomed twice. He is a fantastic dog (and I would love to sneak him home!) BUT it has taken almost 2 years of working with him to get his behaviour to improve. He didn't have fear issues but a poor recall and tendency to run off.