Post by melonie on Jan 31, 2014 20:26:33 GMT -5
At the shelter we currently have:
1 young, female Brittany that is scared of people, and likely more.
1 6 month, female St. Bernard that is scared of people and noise.
1 young, male retriever mix that is scared of men, lived the last year in an outdoor kennel.
1 4-5 yr, female Border Collie that was abused, neglected and extremely thin.
She is timid, but eager. Her prior owner was attempting to 'train' her and when didn't get the results he wanted, he'd hit or beat her. A neighboring farmer caught wind of this and offered to buy her, and another dog off of him. He gave the guy $50 for an Aussie and the BC. He brought both the dogs to us. (the Aussie wasn't in the greatest shape either)
The first two dogs are the most difficult. The Brittany went right into a foster home to try and get her to turn around. After a week she still would not come out from behind the sofa, but would allow her foster dad to pick her up to go outside. (otherwise she would not budge) Last week we had a really bad weather night, and she got away outside, while on leash. We got her back the other day and she's back at the shelter.
The day she went to her foster, I spent about an hour with her. I tried to lure her with treats, which sort of worked. Once she realized she was getting too close, she backed off.
The Saint has been with us about 2 weeks. A farmer caught her and a male sibling killing sheep on his property. He doesn't believe in shooting dogs, like the sheriff told him to do. He finally caught this one, and brought her in. He's still trying to catch the other one. After questioning a friend of mine, we've figured out where these two likely came from, it's safe to say she has not been around people, inside a house or fed regularly.
I have spent a lot of time just sitting with her and talking softly to her, I also bring high value treats. If it is quiet she will follow me around the shelter. She eats treats easily from my hand, and has no problem eating her food around me. Shows no signs of guarding it, etc. If you try and get her to do something, she won't do it. Like laying down, and we need to move to a new spot... forget it. I can sometimes lure her with a treat though.
She will lay close to me in her kennel, she'll flinch when I go to pet her. Once I'm petting her she'll lean into my hand. If it is noisy, she will not budge from her spot, or she will run back to her kennel and refuse to come out or go outside to her kennel run.
The other day I went to the shelter to spend some time with her. When I got to the front door, I checked to make sure any office dogs were secure. She was in there, playing with Bear. Her tail was wagging, and she was happy. There were three people in the office at the time. I went inside, and Bear ran up to me. and knocked my 32oz fountain soda out of my hand. It made a loud noise as it hit the ground. It scared the Saint, and she went to the corner and refused to come out or engage me at all.
I know that with scared dogs, you have to have patience, work softly with them. Do things to help build their confidence and trust. These two dogs... I'm at a loss as to what more I can do, or have others do for them.
I'm going to suggest putting the Brittany back into foster and have them utilize the two week shut down for her.
With the retriever mix, we started with basic obedience, as he had none. He no longer goes into submissive posture when women approach him. We do have men that work at the shelter too. Jim said any time he approaches his kennel, the dog goes to the corner, rolls over onto his back. He puts the leash on and he's fine from then on. He is cautious and curious with children, and did try to hide one day when a couple walked into the office. I had him on leash, so I just reassured him softly. He was fine with the couple petting him, but he stayed by my side.
With the BC, I've started the basic obedience and use high value treats. I also hand feed her dinner to her. Both her and the Aussie are having issues being kenneled. Which is no surprise.
I feel like we should be doing more, but I'm not sure what.
1 young, female Brittany that is scared of people, and likely more.
1 6 month, female St. Bernard that is scared of people and noise.
1 young, male retriever mix that is scared of men, lived the last year in an outdoor kennel.
1 4-5 yr, female Border Collie that was abused, neglected and extremely thin.
She is timid, but eager. Her prior owner was attempting to 'train' her and when didn't get the results he wanted, he'd hit or beat her. A neighboring farmer caught wind of this and offered to buy her, and another dog off of him. He gave the guy $50 for an Aussie and the BC. He brought both the dogs to us. (the Aussie wasn't in the greatest shape either)
The first two dogs are the most difficult. The Brittany went right into a foster home to try and get her to turn around. After a week she still would not come out from behind the sofa, but would allow her foster dad to pick her up to go outside. (otherwise she would not budge) Last week we had a really bad weather night, and she got away outside, while on leash. We got her back the other day and she's back at the shelter.
The day she went to her foster, I spent about an hour with her. I tried to lure her with treats, which sort of worked. Once she realized she was getting too close, she backed off.
The Saint has been with us about 2 weeks. A farmer caught her and a male sibling killing sheep on his property. He doesn't believe in shooting dogs, like the sheriff told him to do. He finally caught this one, and brought her in. He's still trying to catch the other one. After questioning a friend of mine, we've figured out where these two likely came from, it's safe to say she has not been around people, inside a house or fed regularly.
I have spent a lot of time just sitting with her and talking softly to her, I also bring high value treats. If it is quiet she will follow me around the shelter. She eats treats easily from my hand, and has no problem eating her food around me. Shows no signs of guarding it, etc. If you try and get her to do something, she won't do it. Like laying down, and we need to move to a new spot... forget it. I can sometimes lure her with a treat though.
She will lay close to me in her kennel, she'll flinch when I go to pet her. Once I'm petting her she'll lean into my hand. If it is noisy, she will not budge from her spot, or she will run back to her kennel and refuse to come out or go outside to her kennel run.
The other day I went to the shelter to spend some time with her. When I got to the front door, I checked to make sure any office dogs were secure. She was in there, playing with Bear. Her tail was wagging, and she was happy. There were three people in the office at the time. I went inside, and Bear ran up to me. and knocked my 32oz fountain soda out of my hand. It made a loud noise as it hit the ground. It scared the Saint, and she went to the corner and refused to come out or engage me at all.
I know that with scared dogs, you have to have patience, work softly with them. Do things to help build their confidence and trust. These two dogs... I'm at a loss as to what more I can do, or have others do for them.
I'm going to suggest putting the Brittany back into foster and have them utilize the two week shut down for her.
With the retriever mix, we started with basic obedience, as he had none. He no longer goes into submissive posture when women approach him. We do have men that work at the shelter too. Jim said any time he approaches his kennel, the dog goes to the corner, rolls over onto his back. He puts the leash on and he's fine from then on. He is cautious and curious with children, and did try to hide one day when a couple walked into the office. I had him on leash, so I just reassured him softly. He was fine with the couple petting him, but he stayed by my side.
With the BC, I've started the basic obedience and use high value treats. I also hand feed her dinner to her. Both her and the Aussie are having issues being kenneled. Which is no surprise.
I feel like we should be doing more, but I'm not sure what.