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The doghouse

If you're worried about your pet's health, please speak to a vet or qualified professional.

Original poster

Help - rescue dog problems

202 replies

Catzeyess · 15/07/2015 07:41

We have recently rehomed a gorgeous mongrel dog and he is really hard work. We feel a bit duped by the rescue as they told us he was a sweet boy who's only issue was pulling a bit on the lead and had no special requirements (we made it clear we were novice dog owners and didn't want a dog with too many issues).

Once we had taken him on it transpired he was a Romanian stray who has most definitely never been in a home. He is jumpy and terrified of everything, not used to being in a house and normal home noises are stressing him out. He likes being stroked and is gentle and friendly to everyone he meets but whines if left to sit on his own for a bit. He is not housetrained. He knows absolutely no commands at all. He doesn't understand toys and is not interested in food (tried to bury it) and so we are struggling to teach him anything apart from come.

Help! What do we do! We are close to just sending him back but don't want to let him down. Has anyone else had a dog like this and did they turn into a good family pet with a bit of training! What do we do!

OP posts:
pigsDOfly · 16/07/2015 20:02

Also, not eating is perfectly normal in the circumstances; he's unsure of you, of his surrounding, of pretty much everything and he's probably finding it hard to relax enough to allow himself to eat.

As pp have said, this is going to take time.

Mrsjayy · 16/07/2015 20:22

Yeah I do the your ok thing with my dog seems to reassure him, thing is if he was a stray his eating would have been sporadic so he is probably used to not eating

Mrsjayy · 16/07/2015 20:23

You are*

Original poster
Catzeyess · 16/07/2015 22:30

We are back, he didn't pee or poo and he had a waggy tail and said hello. But he has now gone back to his bed and is ignoring us. Although he did take a treat from DH which is a first. I guess it could definitely be worse!

OP posts:
ExitPursuedByABear · 16/07/2015 22:50

All sounds good. Tiny steps.

ancientbuchanan · 16/07/2015 22:55

It could be far worse! He took a treat from a man...he has yet to realise you will always come back for him, but that is brilliant

SunshineAndShadows · 16/07/2015 22:57

Hi OP it sounds like you're doing great.

Please do consider Zylkene. Behaviourists agree that reducing anxiety levels by using products like zylkene can significantly facilitate behavioural modification. Your dog CANNOT learn if he is stressed or anxious (cortisol prevents learning) and do it's important to keep stress levels low.

Similarly it is absolutely fine to reassure him when he's anxious. Anxiety is an emotion, and you can only reinforce behaviours not emotions. Anxious dogs cannot learn so you won't reinforce the anxiety. Get your dogs attention (the focus training I mentioned earlier helps with this and training your dog to look to you for guidance when worried) then reassure to reduce anxiety/reactivity. Google BAT training for dogs, there are some useful books and online resources.

My dog will press against me when she's anxious (buses and air conditioning vents). I put a hand in her and just repeat 'you're ok' in a calm voice. My reassurance helps her anxiety be manageable.

Spend lots of time in the house chatting with DDog and get you DH to talk to him, reward him and start building a relationship too. It's really important that your DDog can trust you both

Original poster
Catzeyess · 16/07/2015 23:09

Ok I'm going to order some zylkene tomorrow. (I need a human version Grin)

OP posts:
honeyroar · 17/07/2015 03:34

Catzeyess I'm impressed with how you're doing. I think you'll get there and look back on this thread and see how much you've achieved. One day, probably months ahead, you'll have a lovely, normal dog and you can think " I did that".

I've got two dogs, one was a friend of a friend's and the second was a rescue that had had four homes in his first year. Despite having had loads of dogs over the years I had a freak out the first night dog 2 was with us, he was so manic, and said he'd have to go back. My husband teases me no end about it nowadays.

We have a tiny Romanian dog coming in two weeks time. I've seen photos and videos of her in the pound there, and she looks a very happy, confident dog, so should be easier to settle than the more nervous types, but I'm under no illusion that it will be easy. A colleague from work rescues them. They have a Facebook page, so I see how some of them settle in when new owners post. Some take a while to be even able to cope with being inside the house and sleep in the garden. I'm not home until Sunday, but they just sent me a contract to sign and it included a page or so on what to expect. This includes things like being frightened of household objects or noises etc. I can send you a copy when you get back if you like.

I'm hoping that our new Romanian dog will take a lead from our two existing dogs. Do you know anyone with a quiet, confident dog that you could go for walks with? I agree that you shouldn't react to the dog being spooked. Just quietly say to them "it's ok" and carry on as normal. Let them take the lead from you that it's not frightening.

Best of luck don't give up on him. He's lovely and you'll get there.

pigsDOfly · 17/07/2015 09:41

Sounds great OP. The waggy tail and the treat from DH, all very positive.

As a pp said; small steps.

Original poster
Catzeyess · 17/07/2015 10:04

Today I decided to take him on my morning jog to see how he would get on, he seemed to really enjoy it and it distracted him from scary things in the park and he was even looking up at me which is a first (before he would completely ignore me on a walk) I've started doing the calm gentle 'are you ok, how are you doing' when we get back, and have discovered gentle background music seems to help calm him after a walk so there has been less whining.

And get this when we got home he came up to me and lay on his side with the tiniest bit of tummy exposed and let me very gently touch his tummy!! He watched me at first but then started falling asleep. Now if that is not a sign he is beginning to trust me I don't know what is! I'm so happy and I can't believe he is the same feral dog we brought home on Tuesday!! He is still really jumpy and cautious and would almost definitely bolt if given half the chance but being gentle and quiet and persistent with him seems to be working wonders!

Thank you everyone! Your advice and encouragement has been so so helpful! And I know we still have a long long way to go and if you don't mind I am going to keep up on posting!

OP posts:
imabusybee · 17/07/2015 10:33

Wow that's amazing well done! Such great progress in such little time :) you should be so proud of yourself!

Mrsjayy · 17/07/2015 11:03

Oh thats lovely may have choked up

WizardOfToss · 17/07/2015 11:30

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

hemihypostrophe · 17/07/2015 11:33

That's fantastic. I'm so pleased for you. I would have been ecstatic if we had got that far in such a short time!

Original poster
Catzeyess · 17/07/2015 12:09
Grin
Help - rescue dog problems
OP posts:
Mrsjayy · 17/07/2015 12:15

Och

ExitPursuedByABear · 17/07/2015 12:16

I knew I did the right thing marking my place on this thread.

Just look at that face...

nellieellie · 17/07/2015 12:46

Please read a book about dog training using positive reinforcement, eg one by Ian Dunbar, or Pippa Mattinson. This will give you clear strategies for teaching house training and everything else. I would always recommend people do this before they get their dog. Clapping and saying no could well increase anxiety. The best way to train is by showing your dog what you want him to do, not to punish him when he does something you don't like. Agree with above posters, just let him be for a while so he knows he can trust you. Let him feel safe and secure in your house before you take him out. If he is sleeping at your feet, great. Time will increase his confidence if you go slow. Echo the Adaptil recommendation. You can get a plug in for the house, a spray for his crate and blankets or a collar to wear.

nellieellie · 17/07/2015 12:47

Oh, just seen your recent posts, well done!

pigsDOfly · 17/07/2015 14:33

Oh that's amazing. You must be so pleased and proud. He's very handsome:)

Before you know it you'll be giving his tummy a proper rub and scritch.

My Ddog loves a good back massage.

Original poster
Catzeyess · 17/07/2015 15:23

He tried to kill the dust pan and brush HmmShockGrin and was not happy at all with the washing machine (dreading the spin cycle as its a little noisy!). And (hilariously!) he managed to catch a big fat fly who was buzzing around him.

OP posts:
villainousbroodmare · 17/07/2015 15:58

Fair play to you all, sounds like you're going great.
There will be downs as well as ups. Don't be discouraged when those moments arise (I notice you are swift to joy and equally swift to despair). It will not mean that all is doomed.
Nearly every single thing that animal is seeing is new. He's on a vertical learning curve.

TRexingInAsda · 17/07/2015 20:19

Aw, he is gorgeous, and you are doing amazingly with him, well done! x

TheoriginalLEM · 17/07/2015 20:54

OP - well done!!! you are awesome! what a lucky (and beautiful) dog.

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