Rescue Advice Needed-Please Be Gentle

[theodorakisses]

I really want some advice about a foster I have. I have had many, many fosters since being in the Middle East but am a bit flummoxed with this one. I must caveat by saying I am a gentle and kind owner, no dominance theory or shouting here. Usually they just sort themselves out and either show to be a straightforward rehome or, very rarely not so. this guy is different.

I have a one year old Saluki cross, he was found at a few weeks old having been chucked out of a car into the desert. He started off as they all do, quietly and gently being introduced to the rabble, all fine and very good with cats. Absolutely completely and utterly refuses to walk on a lead, uncomfortable going for walks on the beach, stays close to us even though his friends are running about. I have really persevered with this but his hated of wheeled objects means that he has barked at prams, broken his lead when a lorry passed almost causing an accident and barked at strangers.
He is absolutely brilliant in the house, loves playing in the garden, generally good with the other pets although can be a little snappy over toys.

He is terrified of strangers although once met is fine. When I say scared, I mean arching his back and growling. He is fine with us and we can do anything, check his teeth, vaccinations, cut his nails etc.

If I were in the UK I would be less nervous about rehoming, however, here dogs are disposable and I could never live in the knowledge that the first time he did anything wrong he may be dumped in the desert to die. In addition, the only shelter is closing down and there are going to be literally hundreds of strays.

He is the perfect house dog, I have a dream of him living with someone who is alone and wants a dog to lie at their feet and give company, also not wanting to go for walks, I wondered if that could be in his favour for someone older. However, can I say he will never bite? No, I can't, not hand on heart. My question is, therefore, is it worth contacting a UK charity and seeing if there is a home for him over there? I really don't care about the cost.

I really can't keep him forever, it isn't how fosters work for me, I have to keep on. I have to make a choice and my only options are to send him abroad (at any expense, I don't care about that) or PTS at some point. We really want more children and, hand on heart, there is no way he could live with a toddler.

I know Dog House regulars are very anti PTS and I agree in principle, however please remember that I am not in the UK, things are very different here.

He is a lovely, happy bouncy dog with a big heart but I can't say that he won't ever attack a dog, cat or human, he has certainly shown aggression. His sheer size and skittishness, his blind panics and reactions make him a loose cannon. We love him very much and don't want to do the wrong thing.

I know you sometimes give people a hard time, and usually it is deserved and I am ready to be flamed a little bit, please do bear in mind that we really do love him. I also trust the regular dog house posters expertise and thank you for sparing the time to read this very long post.

I should add that he wouldn't bite his owner although he may squash them inbed

Also he was neutered at the earliest opportunity

Didn't want to leave this unanswered.

Not sure how much help I can be. I'm in the UK and I rescued my pup from abroad, so people definitely do it. Thing is; I got mine through a charity whose focus is bringing dogs in from Eastern Europe, so they covered everything.

The best advice I can think of to give would be to see if you can get in touch with a Saluki/Lurcher rescue here in the UK and to talk to them. They might be able to help with either the training to make this dog re-homable or with transport arrangements and a foster/place in kennels here.

It sounds like you're doing a good job, but that he needs some very careful handling and training before he could be rehomed, and even then it would need to be to a home where his new owners could give him plenty of time and patience to get him settled.

I'm one of those who isn't generally in favour of importing rescues at great expense but I can see it's difficult since this dog is now with you and needs to be dealt with, and your local shelter is closing down.

I'd suggest contacting a lurcher or saluki rescue directly, saying what you've just said to us and asking if they have anyone who might be willing to help - either an experienced foster home or an adopter. Make it clear that you are not asking the rescue to cover the transport costs or make the import arrangements. Lurcher Link might be a good place to start.

No flaming from me - this is a complex issue and you are trying to do your best by this dog - that needs support. The theoretical debate can be left for another day.

Thank you so much for your kindness,will look into that rescue

No flaming from me either.

From reading your post am I right that the issues he has are mainly being in open spaces, new spaces, vehicles and new people. He reacts by lunging and growling?

If so this can be worked on and you can make huge strides forward.

How long have you had him?
How long did it take him to relax with you - I guess you were strangers to him once.

The approach I would take is slowly and gently using counter conditioning. It is hard to say how as I can not see his behaviour in real life. But would consider putting on his lead and giving him his food for several days. I would not take him out and about during this time. Then putting on his lead and walking him to his food bowl from across the room, soon he will get positive associations with the lead.

Re introducing the big bad outside world again one step at a time - just outside your gate or property reward and back inside again etc.

Re meeting new people I would try to prevent any new meets for a while just generally get him more relaxed in new situations and you may find that this sorts itself out as his confidence grows.

If not again counter conditioning is the way to go.

We have tried lead and food, but I admit with so many pets he really hasn't had the level of attention he deserves. I have been in touch with a rescue and it looks as if they may take him. I also am not hugely comfortable with abusing the kindness of UK rescues, it seems daft to do this in my head but my heart knows it is his only chance. We are going to make videos of his good points and his issues and be totally straight with them as well as covering costs and donating towards his care. Thank you again for your kindness.