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The doghouse

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

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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:

Original poster

Catzeyess · 06/08/2015 17:17

Apparently he will adapt when it heals and so he shouldn't notice them being gone.

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pigsDOfly · 06/08/2015 18:00

Sounds like a case for doggy dentures :)

Seriously though, sound like you've really committed to him now and imo he's a very lucky dog to have you.

It's lovely to hear of a dog that's had a horrible start in life getting a loving new home.

Original poster

Catzeyess · 06/08/2015 18:21

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WizardOfToss · 06/08/2015 21:19

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

ancientbuchanan · 07/08/2015 00:38

He's lovely.

And no wonder he has been fractious. Seeing you and wanting to go home with you, isn't that wonderful? When you think what he was like when he first arrived with you, what a change. "Very excited to see us and go home," well, my eyes have just filled up. You are already loved and depended on. He will now try to do what you want. It won't always be easy, but you are in his heart, and most dogs want to please.

They all love chicken and rice. The ancienthound would live on it for ever.

basildonbond · 07/08/2015 08:45

My cat has a condition which means his teeth start to be re-absorbed into his gums and when that happens they need to be removed (at vast expense, natch, and it's not covered by insurance, sigh). He has fewer than half his adult teeth now and you wouldn't notice as he has no problems eating anything. He's only 5 so will in all probability end up being completely toothless before he's an old cat and at that point we'll move him onto soft food all the time. He is definitely grumpier when his teeth are giving him trouble so I'm sure your lovely dog will be feeling much happier now

Original poster

Catzeyess · 07/08/2015 18:17

Another milestone (a DH one) was cooking dinner and went into the office to ask DH something and found DH and DDog having a cuddle, and DH looks up at me sleepily and says 'I think I love him let's keep him' those two have a more up and down relationship than a soap opera

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ancientbuchanan · 08/08/2015 00:34

Oh Catz, happy ending heading your way, bonding between man and dog, how lovely. And how brave of both if them lots of pats all round.

Dieu · 09/08/2015 00:26

OP, well done to you and your husband. I have loved reading this thread, and wish you all the very very best.
StarsInTheNightSky, if you are still following this thread, I would LOVE to see pics of your dogs

ExitPursuedByABear · 09/08/2015 21:26

Yeah.

Original poster

Catzeyess · 13/08/2015 08:51

Hey all,

For those of you who have had rescues did your dog go through a 'pushing boundaries' phase?

Our DDog had got so much more lively since his teeth have been out. He is much more active during the day and I don't think we are giving him enough mental stimulation (so tips on how to improve that would be great!)

He is also being stubborn on walks, we had a great run of off lead walks where he was behaving really well, but there have been a few incidents now where he has not come when called, and even gone in the other direction. He doesn't seem to go far and we have always caught him eventually but it's making me think twice about letting him off. (Usually it's when he sees another person or dog ahead - but he doesn't do this with everyone just a few specific people we have got to know)

The growling at strangers is also a problem, although it has been less (he hasn't tried to mouth again) he is hard to predict and me and DH are finding it a little stressful constantly watching him when we have guests. He is worst in the evening when there is a single (usually male) guest. Although he is clearly uncomfortable about all guests (in spite of getting loads of treats when people come over). Very tempted to get a crate and leave him in there with a stuffed Kong when we have visitors, especially ones with children when I am on my own.

How long did it take (with consistent training/de-conditioning) for your dog to settle into his/her personality. We don't want to give him up if say in 6 months he is a lot better. But if he continues to be like this for the rest of his life I think we would struggle. I know no-one can tell me for definate as every dog is different but I was just wondering how long it took your nervous rescues to settle into a less anxious better behaved pooch. (I am under no illusions the anxiety will disappear completely - but be more manageable if you know what I mean?)

We are going to do some more work with the behaviourist but it's very expensive and we cannot afford to do it indefinitely.

Sorry for epic post! You have all been such an amazing support! Thank you I am eternally grateful for all the advice and experience.

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Capewrath · 13/08/2015 10:24

Ours wasn't a rescue but came to us at 5 months. We had exactly the same issues with him once he started settling down. He still barks at unknown visitors and people he's unsure about ( the postman) and he can deliberately decide to ignore us on recall, you know it's deliberate because he looks back to check.

But he's much much better now. We did get a trainer to help us because jrts and recall are not always linked.

Capewrath · 13/08/2015 10:25

And it took less than 6 months.

WizardOfToss · 13/08/2015 14:19

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

Original poster

Catzeyess · 13/08/2015 20:37

I am really sad (devastated is the right word really) but we have to send him back.

He bit my dad on the leg this evening. Luckily it did not do much damage but it think it's highlighted to me and DH that we are in way over our head. We are obviously not able to help keep his anxiety under control and we just have too many visitors to manage it constantly. Luckily my dad is thick skinned and not too bothered but I'm not prepared to take the risk for him to bite someone else.

Handholding please there have been lots of tears this evening

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LunchpackOfNotreDame · 13/08/2015 22:14

Catzeyes can I ask which rescue the dog came from because I had an identical issue with a dog we took on. Again, new to owning a dog, assured it was good with children, assured good recall, non destructive... The bloody thing bit my child when they were sat watching TV. Some rescue centres are awful. I'm wondering if it was the same as yours now as they too rescue from Romania.

hemihypostrophe · 13/08/2015 23:53

I'm really sorry for you and I know just how awful you are feeling. We were in almost exactly the same situation earlier this year and to be honest I still haven't got over it. We also sent the dog back. He was really anxious but as he got more settled with me and my children he got more aggressive towards visitors and my dh. We couldn't live completely on edge and also as a busy family couldn't make the changes the dog needed or put the lives of five people completely on hold indefinitely. We felt he had more of a chance with someone knowledgeable who could work full time with him and that things would go very wrong if he stayed with us.

It was desperately sad and we are still hurting. So I will be thinking of you.

pigsDOfly · 14/08/2015 00:26

So sorry to hear this Catz, you've put in so much effort with this dog.

The rescue is entirely to blame imo. They were not honest with you. They knew you were inexperienced and should never have place a dog with you that would have challenged even the most experienced dog owners.

Wish you well.

Original poster

Catzeyess · 14/08/2015 12:18

We spoke to the behaviourist this morning and she said that he would probably be happier in a more experienced home with less visitors and that she would recommends that we rehome him.

She stressed it was not our fault and that considering the circumstances we have done very well and she thinks we would make a wonderful home for a different, less anxious, dog.

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basildonbond · 14/08/2015 13:30

I really feel for you Catz - you were put in an impossible position by the rescue and I'm appalled that you've had to pay for the behaviourist

You sound like you will make the perfect family for a dog with fewer issues. Most dogs are very easy to live with - my dog is delightfully chilled if nothing's happening, happy to see visitors, especially if they'll play with him and active and enthusiastic on walks. I'd grown up with dogs but not been solely responsible for one as an adult and the experience has been a pleasure- which is what welcoming a dog into your home should be

Original poster

Catzeyess · 14/08/2015 13:47

I've been balling my eyes out all morning as he is just the sweetest happiest dog until people visit.

DH says (jokingly) we should keep him and ditch our friends and family instead

This is just the most horrible thing - the house is going to be so quite and sad without him. I am going to really really miss him

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Capewrath · 14/08/2015 16:34

Catz, do v v sorry. For inexperienced owners you have done brilliantly. But agree with you. Biting people ( nit just a nip) is a boundary I won't accept.

Well done with all you have achieved. He will be so much easier for the next home.

When you gave dried your eyes, remember you are obviously made to be fog owners. You have done wonders

SaskiaRembrandtWasFramed · 14/08/2015 19:15

Catz, I'm so sorry :( It must be absolutely gut wrenching.

Please don't blame yourself. You've done an amazing job with him in a very short time, not many people would have even given him a chance in the first place. He does have some serious issues though, I think a lot of experienced dog owners would have struggled, so it seems an impossibility for someone who is new to it all.

Booboostwo · 14/08/2015 19:26

I am very sorry it has come to this. It's a very difficult decision but he sounds like a very challenging dog and sometimes it's not worth the risk that he will bite again - I know I would not take that risk with children around.

Original poster

Catzeyess · 14/08/2015 19:31

Bless him, we took him to the vets for his tooth check up and she looked in his ears and says he has a bad ear infection (probably longer than we have had him) ear drops twice a day for two weeks!

This poor boy must have been so uncomfortable when we got him - no wonder he is funny with people touching his head. It's a bit of a moot point now but I do wonder how things would have turned out if he hadn't been in pain.

He can obviously sense the atmosphere too he has curled up in a tight ball and is really down this evening.

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