Is it possible for this dog to change?

[Cherryblossom200]

Hi everyone,

My parents are going to see a dog tomorrow to potentially re-home him. They are both retired so have the time for a dog. The dog has been rescued by one of those centres which brings dogs from abroad. He was came from Spain bless him.

A year ago he went to a family who didn't have the time to spend with him to socialise him, he came from a dog home and not been around people much.

He is very anxious and timid apparently. Tbh I think the family he is with were reckless with their decision to what to rehome him. They had a one year old and was heavily pregnant so not exactly a wise decision😬

He isn't used to go on walks and only goes out into the garden with the lady who owns him. He has come on a lot since they got him and ok with kids.

But my concern is if he can be socialised at 3 years old and capable of being trained to go for walks. We have the patience to get him to where he needs to be as he looks lovely and deserves a happy life full of love. But we obviously don't want a dog who is afraid of people, won't go outside or go for walks despite our best efforts.

Any advice please?

x

It’s perfectly possible that he will change , it’s also probably likely that he will be quite hard work and time consuming so if your parents want a dog that is more likely to slot into their lives better I would keep looking .

If they are prepared for lots time and patience I think they will end up with a lovely dog. It has come from a troubled past and will be traumatised, stability, routine and a loving home will make a world of difference.

It's not about the dog changing, you'll all have to adapt. You say what you "want" but it's yours parents dog? He's already had at least 3 homes at that age. If this isn't going to be his forever home, then they shouldn't get him. He's had enough trauma.

I really hope people stop ‘ rescuing’ dogs from abroad soon.

When I say I want, I mean us all as a family. Because it will be a realty family setting he will be going into. My parents house will obviously be where he would live, but my sister and myself live extremely close to my parents and we both have children so we need to make sure the dog is fine for everyone.

We realise it'll be a slow process and don't want to overwhelm the poor dog. It's good as my parents home is quiet and the perfect environment for a traumatised dog.

The dog was rescued by a proper re-homing charity, but I'm surprised they re-homed him to this family. My parents absolutely do not want him to be rehomed again if he goes to live with them. Hence why I'm helping them do the research first. It needs to be the right decision for everyone, most importantly for this poor little dog.

For an anxious dog quiet retired home sounds ideal.
Give him lots of time and space, a safe area to hide in, and a steady routine.

We rescued a dog over a year ago when she was about 14 months and on 3rd home. Took about 9 months before she truly came into herself and now is the biggest pet ever with us. She is only now getting better with strangers and people who don't live in the house. It is a massive commitment. Indeed the first three weeks were so horrific we decided if it couldn't work with us we would have her pts rather than put her to another home..

It is possible, I’ve done it and my girl was around 5 years old when she came to me.

Loch is spot on with their advice. I had a crate covered in old duvets that I placed by the back door with the crate door open.

DDog was exhausted from everything and slept a lot in the crate. She then moved in to the garden, dug a pit in the bushes and refused to come inside until it was dark, even in the rain.

I offered toilet breaks and meals at the same time every day and let her be.

After a few weeks she -regressed from the crate in the kitchen to behind the sofa so I moved her crate into the lounge, she stayed behind the sofa and one evening she hopped on to the coach and watched some tv with me.

We didn’t attempt to walk her for the first few weeks and after that she would only walk one way round the block and eventually off lead along the river.

She didn’t know what treats or toys were and preferred to drink from rain puddles and eat off the grass. She would bury treats and dig them back up months later.

twooter you obviously have a very limited knowledge on the subject. Your post isn’t helpful and reads very troll like.

Thanks Gazing. I think the family that currently own him have made some headway with him. He hid in his crate for many months and has gradually come out and now does seem to socialise with the family. But with a 2 year old and 4 month old baby the lady has little time to spend socialising the dog, plus I think the house is too hectic for the dog. I know I've said it before, but I'm shocked the family considered this dog with their circumstances. I feel so sorry for it. They also have another dog already, what were they thinking.

Sounds to me as if the dog is half way there already but in a totally unsuitable home. If dog has no issues other than being timid, I think we're talking time, love and a lot of patience. Hope your parents go for it and end up with a lovely forever friend. Good luck!

Sounds like this dog is about to land on his feet in his forever home then!

Good luck

This little dog would be loved more than you would ever know, he would have two loving parents and some kids who would play with him for hours on end (when he is ready of course). The more I think about it the more I think it might be right for my parents. They wouldn't suit a crazy dog who runs around like a loon 🤣 they need a more chilled dog due to their age. My mum is a natural nurturer so he would do well under her care x

I’m no troll - I’m just worried about introducing new diseases into the country and to an animal population that has no immunity to them. I would have hoped that COVID would show the potential for diseases to be spread across countries.

Egh I’m not going to get in to it with you, no point

Twooter, this is through AA animal rescue, I think they are a reputable company and I'm sure do the jabs/checks etc before the dog is sent over.

@Cherryblossom200

Twooter, this is through AA animal rescue, I think they are a reputable company and I'm sure do the jabs/checks etc before the dog is sent over.

AA in Essex? Please PM me Cherry if I’m correct (I really hope not)

Yes they are in Essex. Why? They placed the dog with the family 😳 I'll pm you now.

How do I PM?! Help! x

@Cherryblossom200
Ive used that rescue if its the essex one and very happy with them.
I hope it goes well

[quote Branleuse]@Cherryblossom200
Ive used that rescue if its the essex one and very happy with them.
I hope it goes well[/quote]
Were you happy with their after care, did you visit their old rescue or the new one?

Did the rescue place the dog with his previous family?
If so I would be very wary of dealing with a Rescue that would place a dog somewhere so unsuitable

@Cherryblossom200

How do I PM?! Help! x

I’ve sent you a pm, you should see an envelope on your Mumsnet right at the top on the right hand corner

Hopping I do agree with you on this one. The agency shouldn't of placed the dog with this family. And the family were mad to take on such a traumatised dog. I'm not impressed with either side. But with that in mind, the poor dog will never have his forever home - someone has to take the risk and hope they can work with him to bring him out of his shell. I wish I could post a pic but as he isn't officially my parents I don't know if I can!

Gazing thanks 🙏 just sent you a reply xx

Yep. With patience and time. My old lad hadn't been in a home from being a pup. He had had three homes in four years and kept on a chain for most of that. He was a crazy, spinning, chewing himself mess when I met him. I was a volunteer and walked him regularly and he was a different pooch outside of the kennel. Eventually me and my husband adopted him and with some training he was the best dog.
With your parents dog don't push to engage, sit quietly if it comes over to sniff you don't assume it wants to cuddle. Give it time. Let it sniff without you expecting anything of it. Sit on the floor sideways on. Never approach from the front and never move fast.
I truly hope this dog settles well with your parents.