Stray Dog

hethmar

Poor little devil, wonder what has made her so terrified

lavidaloca

Try asking a vet for some mild sedatives to put in the food? They may not be allowed to unless they administer it themselves but just grasping at straws really to try and help.

SnowyOwl_2

Have a read through this old thread

http://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/showthread.html?t=1301053&page=2

The trail on that dog seems to have gone cold now - poor thing, I hope I am wrong - but there might be something in it to give you new ideas.

lemontart

fine a local animal sanctury to help you with the dog - www.anihome.co.uk
ask them what the policy is on what happens if dog not claimed so you an be sure it will not be put to sleep other than on medical grounds

mrcol1000

Are you sure the dog isn't pregant? Only I know of a stray dog situation exactly the same as this. Stray dog won't let anyone near it. Anyway the dog had puppies and after that it was fine to be taken away with its puppies. Although it took nearly a month of trying to catch it before it gave birth.

medders2604

Not sure about the pregnant bit will ask my friend.
Bit of a development DW finally decided to come out after everyone on the street started ringing them this morning and said they will all ring every day until they come out. No joy catching it though and dog warden thinks it may be same dog he spent a few weeks trying to catch a couple of miles away a few months ago so it looks as if she is used to life on the streets just not one as busy as where she is now residing.
One good thing though is that she now trusts my mate enough that she turns up in front of the house on the drive at least 3 times a day for feeding, My mate is just taking it very very slowly not trying to grab just feeding her and talking to her in low tones without moving too much hopefully the dog will gain enough trust to move close enough to be sure of grabbing it without it freaking and running away.
Will have a read through the other thread thankyou and see if can get any more ideas and will also check the website and see if anyone else can help. I suggested sedatives and they are trying to get a vet to prescribe some but the one they spoke to is reluctant without checking the dog over first just in case ot has any medical problems that could be made worse. Think it may have to come to taking the risk though if cant catch her soon. Poor thing.
Thanks you all for your help and suggestions they really are appreciated.

foreign_correspondent

medders2604 wrote: »

One good thing though is that she now trusts my mate enough that she turns up in front of the house on the drive at least 3 times a day for feeding, My mate is just taking it very very slowly not trying to grab just feeding her and talking to her in low tones without moving too much hopefully the dog will gain enough trust to move close enough to be sure of grabbing it without it freaking and running away.

If your friend is going to risk trying to catch this dog, (and it is a risk, she may get bitten, but she is an adult and its up to her, so long as she is aware of this) she may find it helpful to get a lead ready, and get some really high value, tasty smelling treats (bits of ham, cheese, cooked meat, liver, bits of sardines, garlic sausage - anything like that) and when the dog approaches her, quietly sit on the floor with them, as she will pose less of a risk at a lower level. Do not make eye contact with the dog, (as that is seen as a threat) and just gently throw bits of food on the floor in her direction, gradually chucking them less and less far away. The dog may then get close enough for her to hand feed or catch her.

Rather than make a grab for the dog the first time she does this she may want to do it several times, and see how the dog interacts with her... but she can only judge that at the time. You need a lead and collar setup you can slip onto the dog swiftly, something like this slip lead may be best:


if she can get the dog taking food from her hand she may be able to coax her into putting her head through the open loop for a particularly tasy treat - it will help if there is only her feeding the dog, and if the dog is a little peckish at the time! It all needs to be done calmly and gently, as a botched attempt could just make the dog more frightened of her.

Good luck!

supermezzo

It's also worthwhile considering that she may well have had pups recently (if you can catch her and get her to the vet they'll be able to tell that easily enough) but please do bear in mind that there may be pups hidden near-by depending on her for food.

medders2604

Good idea with the slip lead she has a lead and collar hidden out of site when feeding the dog but not sure if it is a slip lead so will check. She is aware of the risk of getting bitten but seeing as she had to swerve herself today to avoid hitting the dog think she is more worried about catching it and making sure it doesn't get run over and cause a big accident.

She will def be taken straight to the vets when caught so they can check about pups for her

I'm just starting to think the poor thing will never get caught at this rate my mate has been sat outside till all hours in the rain tempting the dog with food but if she drops it anywhere closer than a few feet away the dog wuill wait till she eventually gives up and grab the food then rather than risk coming too close.

DW has been again today and suggested that if there is a calm dog that my mate can sit with and feed and pet while the stray is in sight it might reassure the stray that she means no harm so looks like me and my pooch are heading over at the weekend if no joy by then to try that angle.

lavidaloca

Oh I was going to suggest another dog but thought someone would have tried this. She's been badly hurt to be as nervous as this, poor thing. This is my first port of call each day to see if she has been caught. Thanks for keeping us informed just sorry we aren't nearer to help.

Does she try to cross the road at the same point, if so could she have pups on the other side of the road? It seems likely being female that she is either pregnant or has pups and most probably been dumped. What kind of dog is she?