Stray dog!!!

shadej

Well, we have been to the vet and he is in good heath, but is underweight.
He should be back to normal in no time.
The vet gave me lots of leaflets and contact numbers for reporting him a found.
Thanks for all the advice.

missbargain

I would first like to state a very obvious thing - You and your husband are very kind!

I am not a dog expert, but I know of a lady who lives in Greece and collects stray dogs and cats and works on rehoming them. Guess what? She is English! Surprise, surprise!!!
Lots of the dogs have been badly abused and subsequently dumped.
Majority of them have found a new home and became the most loyal, loving pets to the new families. Interestingly, loads of people (tourists) from Germany adopt these dogs and take them home. Sharon (the English lady) has told me that the Germans are her best "rehomers", even though they have to make lots of effort to organise the journey for the pet, travel costs, all the forms, etc. And they are exclusively tourists on a holiday, who just happen to fall in love with the dog, not someone who comes to Greece with the intention of getting the dumped creature.

I am often shown the photos that the new owners sent to Sharon of dogs in their new homes, and they look so happy, grateful and well settled, it is a very nice thing to see. Lots of photos show the kids hugging the dog and the dog looks like in the seventh heaven.
Of course, they would not have sent photos of an angry dog, these are just the "happy end" stories, obviously, but just shows that it is very possible to make the dog well settled and happy.
But I am just an observer in this case, not an expert. I am sure that some people might have had problems with previously abused dogs. It will certainly take time and patience to make him trusting again, but I think that it can be done. Good luck!

suki1964

shadej wrote: »

Thanks Suki1964,
Around this time last year our 8month old puppy was stolen. It took ages to get my son over it and now he has warmed to this dog. But as we have lost a dog I know how hard it can be on the family that lost him so I will do my best to get him home.
If that fails he will have a home here. It was easy to train our dog as we had him from 8 weeks. This dog seems set in his ways. He is very tired and has been sleeping since 8am.

Aww bless him

Im sorry to hear you had a pup stolen, its dreadful what people can do

This lad wont be set in his ways, it really is possible to teach an old dog new tricks, he just needs time and patience and a slow slow slow approach

We dont know his history but if hes very underweight we can assume hes been homeless a while (most pets are overweight ) so its going to take him a bit of time to get to trust you and of course he may have been badly treated before or indeed never trained.

You do have your work cut out but you sound like you have every intention of seeing this through so all the best of luck and dont forget pictures for us as well

mrcol1000

If you wish to keep a stray dog you have to inform your local council's dog warden service. You have to register your interest in the dog for 30 days and if the owner does not report the dog as lost then its yours to keep. Failure to do so and your techincally stealing the dog

mandy_moo_1

i just wanted to congratulate you for being one of the "caring" people out there!

if you choose to keep the pup, you wil be rewarded over the years by his love and loyalty, and you will wonder how you ever lived without him!

can i just second what suki said re the wee-ing....DON'T scold him when/if he has an accident in the house, or you'll only make him do it secretly (like behind the sofa!)

any accidents in the house, just mop it up, and don't say a word to pup. by ignoring him, he will learn not to do it in the house, and when he DOES "go" outside, give loads of enthusiastic praise, and a treat......he will soon learn that he gets nice cuddles etc when he goes outside, but nothing when he does it inside

Milford_Cubicle

Follow the rule - cheese for pees and you'll have puppy housetrained in no time at all

(Teeny little cubes is all you need when pup pees outside. Not too much or you'll be training a barrel!)

raggydoll_2

Just to add to what others have said, well done for rescuing him and for trying to locate his owner that is definitely the right thing to do. I have found 2 'stray' dogs this year. Luckily both were chipped and reunited with distraught owners.

Personally i would never mix an unknown dog and a child. Particularly one that you have already described as jumpy. Dogs are dangerous animals and a frightened dog is unpredictable. I would seriously consider contacting a local rescue centre and discussing a behaviour assessment with them. In the mean time i wouldn't make sure the dog has a quiet space away from the child. Hope that doesn't sound to negative as you have done a fantastic thing by rescuing him.

shadej

He is very settled and and is so playful. My son (7) and him are the best of friends.
I took him for a walk in the park this morning and he was so friendly with all the other dogs. I have been letting him out very often and he is doing well, no accidents except
this morning there was a lump of poo waiting to greet my husband. I don,t think there is any need for a rescue center. In fact that is what I wanted to avoid, it can't be much fun stuck in a cage for hours. He is a pleasure to be around, very loving.
I have printed some A4 posters up with his photo, which my husband will spend tomorrow morning putting up in the two towns between where he was found. Sadly he was not microchiped, but I have called around and left a description of him where I could. I think my cat has even warmed to him.

almond

what a lovely person you are just think the poor little thing would still be roaming the streets, just remember he might not have ever been in a house before so will be nervous, give him love and post some photos we are all wanting to see him , whats his name ?

lavidaloca

Well done to you both for taking him in as it sounds as if he was dumped. Re any accidents use a solution of bio wash liquid and water to mop up. Please keep us updated and post a pic when you can.