Q. So, I've been fostering for Border Collie Rescue for a while now. Today my foster dog has an adoption appointment, so hopefully that goes well. The VP of the rescue asked me if I wanted to take a shy girl who needs confidence building. I have worked with male-aggressive dogs, ones I had to teach how to sit still(he would pace back and forth instead of lay down), etc...I have never worked with a dog that needs confidence building before, BUT, there has to be a first time for it, just like with the other types of dogs I've worked with. I'll be asking the VP for advice, of course! But I was also hoping that any of you with experience in this could give me advice/pointers.
Also, where should I put her crate? I normally have it in the living room so the dogs can watch everyone come and go when they have to be in there, but would it be better to put the crate in a more quiet place?
Thanks guys!
Hollywood - Don't think that'll work so well. This dog is so fearful that at her current foster home, the first few days she hid under the car in their yard and they literally had to reach under there and pull her out, because she wouldn't come out on her own...
Also, where should I put her crate? I normally have it in the living room so the dogs can watch everyone come and go when they have to be in there, but would it be better to put the crate in a more quiet place?
Thanks guys!
Hollywood - Don't think that'll work so well. This dog is so fearful that at her current foster home, the first few days she hid under the car in their yard and they literally had to reach under there and pull her out, because she wouldn't come out on her own...
Answer
I have fostered many dogs. I have fostered dogs right out of the puppy mill to the vet, to the groomer and then to the foster home. No time for nothing.
I remember a puppy mill raid in Tampa my rescue was part of. We took 44 dogs. All breeds. Some were Maltese. One foster home took a very tiny (3 pounds) approximately 5 year old Maltese and when she got her to the arena where we were showing the dogs, she was very stressed. She said she has had the dog for 3 days, it has not eaten, drank and when she puts it outside to go potty it runs away from here and hid behind the A/C condenser for 4 hours. She finally figured out how to get her out.
I told her I would be more than happy to take the dog. While we were there, I took the dog, a leash and carried her outside. I did not take treats because a FEARFUL dog does NOT react to treats.
I put her on the ground with the leash on her and made her move by pushing her butt off the ground and gently pulling the lead. She had NEVER felt grass before.
After about 2 minutes of shaking and panting, I got her to walk about a foot. Then we went another foot and then after about 15 minutes she was running. While I was making silly noises & getting stared at.
I took her back inside, put her in the kennel, she drank a bowl of water, curled up and slept. When she woke up, I took her out to potty, we ran a bit more, she came back, had a drink and a little food.
Took her home, had her for 3 days (I think) went through about 100 applications for her and found the right one. By the time she left my house, she was eating, drinking, taking walks, playing with my other dogs etc.
I did the same thing with several other dogs the rescue had.
Don't call this dog *fearful* yet. Because there is a great chance the dog is NOT genetically fearful.
Don't treat the dog with soft gloves. First thing you do? Get it outside walking on a leash. Yes, there will be fear of noises, traffic, other people, dogs etc. But even if it is for only 2 minutes the first time? Do it. Then give lots of praise. And keep doing it. Lots of praise.
It is really not as hard as people want to make it. I have found the best way to boost any dogs confidence is to put them in a situation which requires the dog to be flooded with much outside disturbances, you stay calm, you ignore the *fear* you keep on going and then you give much praise.
That is the way I have done this forever.
I have fostered many dogs. I have fostered dogs right out of the puppy mill to the vet, to the groomer and then to the foster home. No time for nothing.
I remember a puppy mill raid in Tampa my rescue was part of. We took 44 dogs. All breeds. Some were Maltese. One foster home took a very tiny (3 pounds) approximately 5 year old Maltese and when she got her to the arena where we were showing the dogs, she was very stressed. She said she has had the dog for 3 days, it has not eaten, drank and when she puts it outside to go potty it runs away from here and hid behind the A/C condenser for 4 hours. She finally figured out how to get her out.
I told her I would be more than happy to take the dog. While we were there, I took the dog, a leash and carried her outside. I did not take treats because a FEARFUL dog does NOT react to treats.
I put her on the ground with the leash on her and made her move by pushing her butt off the ground and gently pulling the lead. She had NEVER felt grass before.
After about 2 minutes of shaking and panting, I got her to walk about a foot. Then we went another foot and then after about 15 minutes she was running. While I was making silly noises & getting stared at.
I took her back inside, put her in the kennel, she drank a bowl of water, curled up and slept. When she woke up, I took her out to potty, we ran a bit more, she came back, had a drink and a little food.
Took her home, had her for 3 days (I think) went through about 100 applications for her and found the right one. By the time she left my house, she was eating, drinking, taking walks, playing with my other dogs etc.
I did the same thing with several other dogs the rescue had.
Don't call this dog *fearful* yet. Because there is a great chance the dog is NOT genetically fearful.
Don't treat the dog with soft gloves. First thing you do? Get it outside walking on a leash. Yes, there will be fear of noises, traffic, other people, dogs etc. But even if it is for only 2 minutes the first time? Do it. Then give lots of praise. And keep doing it. Lots of praise.
It is really not as hard as people want to make it. I have found the best way to boost any dogs confidence is to put them in a situation which requires the dog to be flooded with much outside disturbances, you stay calm, you ignore the *fear* you keep on going and then you give much praise.
That is the way I have done this forever.
Moving cross country with two small dogs...need advice, please?
Q. I am driving from Las Vegas, NV to Tampa, FL with one or two of my pomeranians. What should I have them in while I am driving in my car? They have crates but is there something smaller/more comfortable? They are four pounds and ten pounds, fyi.
Any suggestions, advice, website links,etc would be very much appreciated.
Thank you in advance.
Any suggestions, advice, website links,etc would be very much appreciated.
Thank you in advance.
Answer
If they are comfortable in their crates then that is what I would use. Many crates can be seatbelted down, preferable in the back seat. If they are comfortable sharing a crate then do so as they will probably appreciate the company of one another.
Limit food intake before traveling if they are prone to motion sickness; they can always tank up in the evenings.
Dramamine or benadryl can be given for carsickness but I do not know dosage for a dog that small; try this site:
http://animalsunlimited.net/meds.htm
Be conscious of starting and stopping slowly so they don't get thrown about.
Towels and baby wipes and plastic bags for accidents.
Fill a couple gallon jugs with the water they are currently drinking; offer frequently esp if you are running A/C.
Crack the windows while you are filling your tank - gas fumes aren't great for them but the heat will be even worse on them, esp with those coats. I know you can't run the car while fueling but you might consider a second key so you can keep it running while you go in and buy a soda, pay for your gas, use the restroom, etc. Unless of course you have a traveling companion....
Get them well-fitted harnesses for potty stops.
Microchip them and link it to old and new addresses.
Put your cell phone number on ID tags.
Have health certificates/vet records handy.
Motel 6 accepts small pets, others probably do as well; you may want to pre-plan that while you still have internet access.
If they are comfortable in their crates then that is what I would use. Many crates can be seatbelted down, preferable in the back seat. If they are comfortable sharing a crate then do so as they will probably appreciate the company of one another.
Limit food intake before traveling if they are prone to motion sickness; they can always tank up in the evenings.
Dramamine or benadryl can be given for carsickness but I do not know dosage for a dog that small; try this site:
http://animalsunlimited.net/meds.htm
Be conscious of starting and stopping slowly so they don't get thrown about.
Towels and baby wipes and plastic bags for accidents.
Fill a couple gallon jugs with the water they are currently drinking; offer frequently esp if you are running A/C.
Crack the windows while you are filling your tank - gas fumes aren't great for them but the heat will be even worse on them, esp with those coats. I know you can't run the car while fueling but you might consider a second key so you can keep it running while you go in and buy a soda, pay for your gas, use the restroom, etc. Unless of course you have a traveling companion....
Get them well-fitted harnesses for potty stops.
Microchip them and link it to old and new addresses.
Put your cell phone number on ID tags.
Have health certificates/vet records handy.
Motel 6 accepts small pets, others probably do as well; you may want to pre-plan that while you still have internet access.
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Title Post: Advice on rehabilitating a shy dog?
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Author: Unknown
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