I need your help! A.S.A.P.!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Graces7

TillyGirl wrote: »

I don't mean toys really, Tilly has a kong, a bone and a sweeky tweety that we bought the day we got her. Just find it a little sad he has mo interest.

I don't want them to be the same, Oz is amazing such a quiet sweet dog whereas Til is more wire-y.

Well, not sad for her? Our collie is the same; but she is happy. I think many dogs are not interested in toys? The only time russet plays is when we are at the other end of the object, eg holding the brush. And she fusses to get us to kick the ball for her... Trying to sweep the floor is a time of hilarity. It is the interaction. which makes sense of course.

Toys are not?? natural?? it never occurred to me to get toys. Used to buy catnip mice for the cats when they were indoor cats and when we were nearer shops than now. Now they have the real thing. :rolleyes:

LucyBliss

My grandmother took in a young stray border collie who had clearly been abused; this was back in the 1990's, they've both passed on since. That dog had a lot of issues and in hindsight, my grandmother wasn't able to help her much but they both adored one another. Some years later, I became my grandmother's carer and her dog became mine and we were able to iron out some of the more pressing behaviour problems.
My point is that the dog hadn't a clue what to do with toys for years. She'd sit and stare at them and then fall asleep. However, in her final years (and she was sprightly right up until her thirteenth year when she developed heart problems) she started going up to the old toy box, taking out the old toys and playing with them. She also started to take out the balls and would drop them in front of us and start yelping for us to throw them. And she'd run and get them which was even better!

So never say never when it comes to dogs. I find they can constantly surprise us with what they pick up without us realising they're even paying attention.

lrushe

Each dog is differnent, for some toys are great.
For example my Rottie would be more toy motivated than food motivated, if I use food rewards when training she loses focus very quickly, however bring out a toy and she will work all day

CookieMonster.x

I may be wrong, but she could be stressed out from being in the pound (how did she get there?) to a new home. You could try being at her level more in case she now/has seen you as a threat maybe or wait until she approaches you. Make sure she gets her walks and you play and give her attention as you bond. It seems as though she doesn't have very good interaction skills with other dogs, so maybe you could try introduce her to other dogs slowly?
Sorry I'm probably wrong and of no help but I just thought I'd try. Hope all goes well.

mosi

OP, great to hear that you are making some progress. It really is a matter of time with rescues. When I got my boy from the pound, he had to go and spend three days in the vets almost straight away as he refused to eat or drink anything and was going downhill quite rapidly. It sounds as though your little one is better on the health front now, so no harm to leave the vet check up for a few days while she gets to know you. If she starts being ill again - vomiting, refusing water etc., then bring her asap.
As for her behaviour, she has to learn to trust someone again. My boy was very introverted when we got him. He used to sit by himself a lot, and was clearly not used to cuddles at all. His tail was constantly down, and he was very unsure of himself. He didn't know any commands, never licked us and was scared of his first squeaky toy. Now he is so happy in himself. He loves nothing more than to snuggle up beside us, is coming along with some training (he's quite a stubborn terrier!), and absolutely adores his collection of toys. It has taken a few months (and he had some further health issues that are cleared up now), but it has been well worth it.
There are few feelings better than seeing a healthy, happy dog where once there was a worried little creature who did not know if he was coming or going, and knowing that you helped them to get to that point. Well done for going down the rescue route, and keep the board updated on how you are all getting on.

pennyloves

she does have cataracts in her eyes, didn't think that would have had any influence on her behaviour but who knows. We have been bringing her out for walks at night and she's been loving it. A lovely lady is coming to meet with Tilly tomorrow, if all goes well she will be taking her out everyday when I'm in work. She said she will slowly intro. her to the other dogs she walks. I feel so optimistic, she's so beautiful and affectionate. I hope everything works out.

Thank u again 4 all your posts - please keep giving us ur advice - we NEED it!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

sunshiner

I have just been reading this thread and its helped me lots, i found a stray dog in a ditch yesterday,she is very nervous and the vet reckons she hasnt eaten properly in over a month. She bumps into things as her balance is off and yelps,but doesnt like to be touched after,she snaps at you. im just gona leave her settle in and leave her build up her strength. Any advice would be appreciated. Ive named her sally.

Whispered

Ah she's gorgeous, poor little thing. How did the vet say her health is?

The first thing I'd do is make a little den for her. A crate would be best imo, but a large box might do for now, settle her in and give her time. Don't force interactions and don't try to touch her if she hates it.

Will she approach you? Look at you?

planetX

I second the crate advice - my rescue pup was a bundle of nerves, and having the crate meant a safe place for him to retreat to. Everyone had strict instructions not to approach him when he was in there - especially important with kids around. He spent a lot of his first week in there just watching everyone, and it helped us not to overwhelm him.

seamus

Third the crate advice. A place that's in view of the "family", but where nobody encroaches on her - i.e. somewhere that nobody has to move the crate around or otherwise get in on top of the dog.
As she gets used to the comings and goings of the family she'll come out of her shell, but will always feel like she has a safe place to retreat to if she's not sure.

pennyloves

We thought Tilly would never come round, she bit two people during the first two days and we subsequently found out that she'd been rescued and sent back to the pound before we got her for those reasons. We got her a crate and took all the advice everyone on this site and on the tails and trails website gave us. She didn't eat for over a week and was curled in a little ball. I thought she was going to die. She'll be with us a year next week and we wouldn't b without her. She's the perfect dog, she is so affectionate and placid. I couldn't have asked for a better friend. She just needed someone to rely on and trust. Don't give up on ur little one, u r such a good person 4 nt giving up so far. The rewards will be so worth it, trust me:)

MissFlitworth

pennyloves wrote: »

She'll be with us a year next week and we wouldn't b without her. She's the perfect dog, she is so affectionate and placid. I couldn't have asked for a better friend. She just needed someone to rely on and trust.

Have tears in my eyes reading that You're such a legend, too many people get a dog & at the first sign of trouble they're out on their ear no matter what their background has been. And it's always trouble caused by another person being an ass to them in the past.

pennyloves

Thank you:) This time last year I didn't know how we could keep her and now I couldn't imagine my life without her. She had a serious op. in April and I nearly died with loneliness when she was in the vet's, the house was so empty without her.

sunshiner

thanks for the nice comments and advice.the vet said that sally didnt appear to have any diseases.But she is too weak to vaccinate.That she is anaemic and malnourished and has alot of muscle waste. I have her on a high protein food as recommended by the vet.She has been wormed and flea'd.She does have worms.

she is improving every day. She does look at me,and sometimes she does approach us.she sleeps in the utility room has a bed its quiet there. she likes to have a wander in one or 2 rooms but gets tired easily.She wagged her tail this morning at us so that something and likes being rubbed around her head.Im more cautious to not overload her with affection,or stimulation.I must say she is much more relaxed today.The best way i would describe her is like a fox.

magentas

Penny I've just read this thread from start to finish and I think it is a very inspirational story. So many people just give up on their dogs without even wanting to know the root of their problems, let alone want to try to work on them.

Your first post was basically offering little Tilly up for adoption. With a little help and advice from the wonderful posters on API and a lot of love, support and effort from yourself and your partner you've realised the true potential in this wonderful dog.

You took everything onboard, got professional help and put the work in. The final pictures says it all! You look like a very happy family!

It never ceases to amaze me the damage a poor dog trainer can do. Poor Tilly almost ended up back in the pound because of one, after already been returned there by previous owners. You can be sure this process would have been repeated numerous times and she would have inevitably have been pts. Thanks to your determination and belief in her, she is now a beautiful, socially adjusted, healthy girl with a long and happy future ahead of her.

An amazing story. You should be very proud of yourselves:)
Oh and she looks just gorgeous in the latest pics;)

pennyloves

Awww thank you so much. I just hope that other dog owners use this site as we would have been lost without the advice it gave us. We were clueless and it gave us lots of support and encouragement to persevere with Tilly.

Whispered

sunshiner wrote: »

she is improving every day. She does look at me,and sometimes she does approach us.she sleeps in the utility room has a bed its quiet there. she likes to have a wander in one or 2 rooms but gets tired easily.She wagged her tail this morning at us so that something and likes being rubbed around her head.Im more cautious to not overload her with affection,or stimulation.I must say she is much more relaxed today.The best way i would describe her is like a fox.

Sounds like it's all going well, she'll come around if you continue taking things at her pace. Brilliant to see some progress already! Well done. Honestly, when you think of how strange it must be for her to have food and warmth, it's easy to imagine how shy and reluctant she might be. I know it's humanising it a bit, but I always imagine rescues feeling unsure about whether things will last.

Have you named her?

sunshiner

We named her Sally.

We have 2 other dogs one we got from a rescue as a pup,she is now 3 A collie retriever mix, and the other is a collie lurcher mix we adopted when the neighbours abandoned him he though he lived at our house he is Now 2.

They both have met sally,both are curious but wary,and protective of me with her.But no aggression to her.She wags her tail when she sees them,but theyre both active dogs and can be over whelming so i limit their time together with just sniffing

Cherry Blossom

Hi Sunshiner,

When I was a kid we discovered a German Shepherd cowering in the back of one of the sheds. We kept leaving food and water out for him but he didn't eat anything for a week. It took another 3 weeks for him to feel safe enough to come out of the shed or let anyone approach him. We didn't force the issue at all and just waited it out and sometimes sat in the shed just reading quietly or something. He came along quickly in leaps and bounds as soon as he knew he was safe and could trust us. As others have said, just wait it out and take your cues from the dog and do everything at a pace they are comfortable with and everything will work itself out.

borderlinemeath

Hi Sunshiner,

We got our rescue a couple of months ago, he was abandoned and severely malnourished when he was found and after rehabilitation in rescue he came to us, very unsure and wary of his surroundings.
He spent the first couple of days hiding in "safe zones" in the house and the garden - the spot in the garden was under the hedge where he couldn't be seen but could keep an eye on what was going on.

By maintaining the regular routine with our existing dog and not pushing him he came out in his own time. He hasn't been back to the hedge since his first week here and has really grown in confidence - thanks in no small part to our existing dog, he copies everything she does and they get on great.
Check out his progress below:


Benson hiding under the hedge - 3 days home.



Happy to be part of a new family, home about 2 weeks.



With his best friend, home 7 weeks.

ncmc

That last picture would just melt the heart Borderlinemeath!

borderlinemeath

ncmc wrote: »

That last picture would just melt the heart Borderlinemeath!

Twas only taken last Sunday, I'm taking photos and pics almost everyday to document his little journey:D.

sunshiner

awh thanks borderlinemeath for showing me that its a wonderful story and gives me hope
Sally has taken a shine on jake the 2year old,And i find him handy if i want her to follow him.He has brilliant recall and is good with commands.Sheba the 3 year old is warming to her a bit but likes to ignore her still.Sally likes to watch the other dogs and started barking today to come out of her room as she didnt want to be on her own.
She is responding more and more each day,but tires easily.
She rested her head on my knee earlier and looks for some rubs now a little.:D

borderlinemeath

sunshiner wrote: »

awh thanks borderlinemeath for showing me that its a wonderful story and gives me hope
Sally has taken a shine on jake the 2year old,And i find him handy if i want her to follow him.He has brilliant recall and is good with commands.Sheba the 3 year old is warming to her a bit but likes to ignore her still.Sally likes to watch the other dogs and started barking today to come out of her room as she didnt want to be on her own.
She is responding more and more each day,but tires easily.
She rested her head on my knee earlier and looks for some rubs now a little.:D

Thats it, it's babysteps, a little every day. It's great that Sally has taken a liking to Jake, it'll really help her gain confidence in her new surroundings and help bond her with her new family:D

cjf

Great to read tillys story! You didn't give up on her and she didn't give up on life and with patience and handwork she now lives the life she should have had from the start! Dogs never cease to surprise me they have such an amazing ability to let go of the past and move on! So happy to hear Sally is now in a home who are going to take things at her pace and give her a chance too! I have my own little one just coming on two years and although perfect in my eyes we are still a work in progress, she will probably never be as comfortable with strangers, strange places as my other dog but that's ok she's not defective she just is who she is and I would never be without her. We continue to work on building confidence and reenforcing the fact that no one is going to hurt her and she keeps improving, I won't give up but at same time have to be realistic in my expectations. Its so sad to see so many amazing dogs dumped, surrendered, PTS because they didn't live up to some predesigned expectation of what a 'good' dog is, they are all different and without handwork and commitment how are they expected to be that great with kids,
other dogs, never chews anything, well socialised, balanced super dog - sorry bit of a rant just one of those weeks!! Best of luck with sally can't wait to see her updates!

Jelly2

Just echoing previous poster! Please keep up updated!

pria

I am sorry to hear your predicument. Why not give your dog a second chance. I would :

1. From the pound where you got your dog - get a detailed history. Find out whether there was abuse, causing your dog to be very nervous.
2. Forget about the grommer - until you have a good relationship (less stress).
3. Take you got (on a lead) on a long long walk. Release the tension in him/her.
4. Give the dog plenty of time and to become part of your family.
5. Nice treats and contact.
6. Nice peaceful surrounds - no sudden movements (win thier confidence).
7, do not expect things to happen over night (build on a calming and trusting relationship)
*. Stimulate the dog - do have him/her stuck in a back yard and wonder why they are aggressive,
Sit them down with you and demonstarte affection.
Lots of consistance Love and affection - not rocket science??

scudzilla

pria wrote: »

I am sorry to hear your predicument. Why not give your dog a second chance. I would :

1. From the pound where you got your dog - get a detailed history. Find out whether there was abuse, causing your dog to be very nervous.
2. Forget about the grommer - until you have a good relationship (less stress).
3. Take you got (on a lead) on a long long walk. Release the tension in him/her.
4. Give the dog plenty of time and to become part of your family.
5. Nice treats and contact.
6. Nice peaceful surrounds - no sudden movements (win thier confidence).
7, do not expect things to happen over night (build on a calming and trusting relationship)
*. Stimulate the dog - do have him/her stuck in a back yard and wonder why they are aggressive,
Sit them down with you and demonstarte affection.
Lots of consistance Love and affection - not rocket science??

It's also not rocket science to check the dates of these threads, this is the second one you have replied to that is over 12 months old

ISDW

pria wrote: »

I am sorry to hear your predicument. Why not give your dog a second chance. I would :

1. From the pound where you got your dog - get a detailed history. Find out whether there was abuse, causing your dog to be very nervous.
2. Forget about the grommer - until you have a good relationship (less stress).
3. Take you got (on a lead) on a long long walk. Release the tension in him/her.
4. Give the dog plenty of time and to become part of your family.
5. Nice treats and contact.
6. Nice peaceful surrounds - no sudden movements (win thier confidence).
7, do not expect things to happen over night (build on a calming and trusting relationship)
*. Stimulate the dog - do have him/her stuck in a back yard and wonder why they are aggressive,
Sit them down with you and demonstarte affection.
Lots of consistance Love and affection - not rocket science??

Get a detailed history from the pound? How would they get that? Dogs in pounds are strays or surrenders, and when someone surrenders a dog in they don't tend to give much information at all, usually not even the vaccination card, just dump the dog and go. Obviously if its a stray no history whatsoever is known. Not sure if you actually read the whole thread or just the first post.

DBB

Pria, as already noted, this thread is old. Please, before you post again, ensure that any thread you wish to reply to is current, rather than dragging up old threads.
Closing this thread now.
Thanks,
DBB