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Dogs trust adoption

10 replies

Lolly768 · 18/09/2019 14:25

We have adopted a 2 year old terrier cross from Dogs Trust just over a week ago. Although she is settling im struggling with her behaviour. We were told she was brought from Ireland and they had no history just that shes very friendly. She is lovely but clearly has never lived in a home. Shes jumping stair gates to get upstairs and taking everything she can. Shes just dragged my laptop off the table whilst i hung the washing out. Im loathed to admit defeat but its worse than any puppy ive ever known. No interest in any toys. Lies down on the path if you try and walk her. Constantly tries to hump anything she can get hold of. Shes lovely with the kids but is very quickly destroying my home. Im trying to train her but failing miserably. She jumps up on to the kitchen side and table like a maniac. Its basically like a puppy with sugar overload. We purposefully didnt choose a puppy because i knew it would be too much work for me. I work part time and am a single parent. Im an experienced dog owner but to put it bluntly shes breaking me. Any similar experiences out there or someone who can give me hope it will improve?? Ive spoken to the behaviourists at Dogs Trust endlessly but they just suggest different enrichment toys which are all failing and costing me a fortune

OP posts:
Bananasandchocolatecustard · 18/09/2019 15:06

You could try a crate and train the dog to use it?
I have a terrier cross dog from the Dogs Trust, the description was not accurate - euphemisms which were “tip of the iceberg “.
My dog was such a nervous, anxious wreck he couldn’t even attend their small numbers training sessions.

Soola · 18/09/2019 15:37

Terriers can be hard work and in a mixed breed the terrier often seems to dominate the breed mix.

Reading your circumstances I would never have rehomed a terrier mix to you and it’s shameful that the dogs trust have.

I know an elderly couple who they rehomed two energetic collie’s to and the couple cannot cope and I’m helping them with training. Previously they had small fluffy dogs and the cookies are completely unsuitable for them but they want to persevere in caring for them despite the difficulties.

newidentiy · 18/09/2019 15:48

I could have written your op 5 years ago.

I had a border collie from Ireland, from Dog's Trust. Basically everything that the behaviourist from the Dog Trust told us was wrong and made a hard job even harden.

I had the stairgate that he jumped, destroyed a settee, destroyed a carpet, chewed tables, emptied kitchen cupboards and many other things.

Had clearly not been in a house and first time we brought him home took us 30 mins to get through the door.

Was advised to attend dog training which was a big fail, basically everything we was told to do was too full on. We should have let our dog acclimatise to us first and circumstances and we probably traumatised him.

For twelve months I persevered although I spent so many nights crying on the phone.

Somebody then recommended a behaviourist in Walsall to me and they were a miracle. Literally had one visit and it was like a light came on. We had tried everything and most kept saying we had to be in control, etc and tried pack training.

This was so wrong, one thing was jumping up so had loads of cheese cubes (high reward) and in the split second he had 4 paws on the ground I gave him a reward, this worked for other things to. It was relentless watching him to catch the exact moment to reward with the cheese but positive reinforcement worked.

He also had seperation anxiety so I moved the room round so he could sit on the settee in the window watching for us. Also had a kong just for when we went out and dipped it in cream cheese, he then realised this was his "reward" for us not being there.

It was incredibly hard but I now have the best dog ever and I am so glad we stuck with him. He is so loyal

Good luck

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newidentiy · 18/09/2019 15:50

Be careful of the ageing too. I was told ours was 3 to 5 years old, he then doubled in size and in fact we were told by vets he was nearer 10 months ish. This obviously also would have had an impact if we had realised he was a puppy not a fully grown dog

LindaLa · 18/09/2019 16:00

I agree with @newidentiy about dogs trust ageing dogs.
I had a boxer who they said was four,
She chewed everything and was very over-excitable (more than a boxer should be!).

My friend is a vet and did some blood tests. She was 8-9 months.

She died of cancer by her third birthday.

I asked dogs trust about the ageing, they said we make an educated guess....

Lolly768 · 18/09/2019 17:19

@newidentiy are you happy to pass on the details of the trainers you used. Im in Worcestershire so Walsall isnt that far. Im at breaking point this afternoon with her. Shes such a lovely dog and ive owned many a terrier but this extreme.

@LindaLa thanks. She acts like a puppy so you have a good point that she may be younger!

OP posts:
Lolly768 · 18/09/2019 17:20

@Bananasandchocolatecustard did things work out for you? Im feeling ive lost all hope today that i can do anything with her and it breaks my heart.

OP posts:
Bananasandchocolatecustard · 18/09/2019 18:06

Lolly- he stills poo’s and wees every time he is on his own in the house. I have to walk him where there is the minimum chance of seeing children , men, jogging men and dogs bigger than him. He has severe separation anxiety, so much that when I move in my bed he moves to he pressed up against me. Still barks madly when someone walks past the house ( live on a busy street), very sensitive to noise. Can’t let him off the lead because I can’t trust his recall.
Messing is because of separation anxiety.
Took him to see a very well qualified behaviourist, she was great but the recommendations were so detailed I can’t do them. I have 2 adult children so I’m not coping on my own. Otherwise I would not have managed.
Good luck.

MattMagnolia · 18/09/2019 19:30

Poor dog is obviously very stressed and needs a long calm time just settling into the alien world she’s landed in.
Forget walks and training, apart from house training. Treat her like a new puppy who knows nothing. Contain her in a crate when you can’t watch her. Try to stay quiet and calm.
Don’t give up, she’s only just arrived.

newidentiy · 19/09/2019 13:14

Hi

The trainers I used were complete canine, based in Walsall. Sorry I haven't still got their details as was a while ago now but I know the trainers I had were called Jill and Carol and I cannot praise them enough.

My dog now is chilled but still has "spirit" i,e I have had to put a child lock on the fridge to stop him having a snack when he felt like it Smile

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