Rescue Dog

Mutter_2

So many here say rescue. I say pedigree puppy everytime, having experienced both.

Poor Tina. You sound like a Saint. Hope it works for you all.

Sagz_2

Mutter wrote: »

So many here say rescue. I say pedigree puppy everytime, having experienced both.

Poor Tina. You sound like a Saint. Hope it works for you all.

If it has to be a puppy.... why not a rescue pup?


:T Well done for being pro-active in getting help OP, Charlie really fell on his feet when you took him home. Hope the meet with the behaviourist goes well xx

tina_foskett

Hi,

Where do I start:

The visit from the behaviourist went well. Wow, have we got a lot of work to do!! While on the whole the assessment was ok, we as a pack and showing, paricularly our Izzy who's boss, has not been as consistent or as it should have been or is. Although we are hoping this will change once we have managed to be consistent in relation to the changes we have been advised to make.

I have to say we all learnt a lot last night. We did not realise by wanting to love and make our Izzy feel loved and special, particularly after her very bad start in life and being badly treated and abused by others; we were perhaps in some ways doing completely the opposite.

I have had dogs almost all my life and did not realise the importance of having some rigid rules and boundaries; although it is fair to say I have never allowed a dog to behave badly deliberately and would and have never tolerated one my dogs being aggressive or a bully; just did not realise that some of the things we allowed them to do were/could have been contributing to them pushing the boundaries.

While, if I am honest, I was disappointed that the behaviourist did not come in with a magic wand, assess our Iz and then our Charlie and says do this, this and this and hey presto two happy, well behaved dogs who want to be together and good companions (that would be too easy) I accept that anything worth having is perhaps worth waiting for and working hard for, but not too hard I hope.

I have today received an action plan and other very useful information from the behaviourist. While we are still unsure that Charlie is here to stay, if he has to go, perhaps the lessons we have learned and hopefully will continue to learn from the behaviourist and from Charlie and Izzy, may be put to good use in the future. If and when we decide again to get another dog. In saying that it will not stop the heart break if our Charlie cannot stay.

Last night, we realised a lot of things about the way our Iz and Charlie were interacting and thought possibly that it was Izzy who was winding up Charlie. This morning I am not so sure. Charlie is at the vets, being neutered and micro chipped. Its not the vets we use for Izzy but another that was recommended by a friend. While in the vets and giving what information I could about Charlie, another dog appeared on a lead. Well, for whatever reason, in hindsight my slow response, thinking it was our Iz who was Charlie's problem, anxiety about Charlie's op etc etc....before I knew Charlie was rearing up to other dog, in the same way he does with Izzy. Initially, I just tried to talk him down and pull him back. Then remembered to stand between him and other dog, while speaking to him, this eventually calmed him down and the other dog left. I was really embarrassed but this was increased by the looks I got from the other people in the vet, particuarly one or two members of the staff - not sure if it was meant or my paranoia but just got the feeling they were thinking - what is she doing with a dog like that - it was not about to put down for no reason!! (I am not denying that this is not one of my fears/thoughts either, but is now getting neutralised by good things that I have seen in Charlie and that there are no bad dogs just bad owners).

I am now beginning to wonder if Charlie has a problem with other dogs, maybe cats in enclosed places such as the home, given his response to the other dog at the vets; particuarly as outside, apart from one minor incident, even when walking with Izzy he seems fine - no problems at all, yet. He even tried to chase a bird yesterday without growling or snarling but as soon as I called him back he obeyed. I have to say if that was my Iz, her response would not have been as quick as his; I am ashamed to say. However, as I keep being reminded it is early days yet and Charlie is most likely still on his very best behaviour.

Charlie's plans for the future are still not firm - we need to find out a lot more about him yet I fancy and while some of what we know already is a concern, it is teaching us not to take anything for granted. Although, trying to juggle this with our fears and anxiety that are raised when Charlie goes off, and multiplied by our previous experience of owning an aggressive dog, prior to Izzy's arrival, whose aggressive behaviour and instinct to protect by attack,through no fault of hers but mine; given that I chose to manage this behaviour instead of addressing it, which I did for most of her life, she was nearly 14 when she died two years ago this month; is not as easy as it sounds.

I can assure you, I am not a Saint, far from it: I was bought up with animals, cats and dogs in particular and by a keen animal lover, who taught me an animal who comes in to your home is for life and did not ask to be there and therefore it is up to the owner to do all they can to ensure the animal settles in, in a way that is best for the new arrival and everyone else. In saying that I would never keep an animal who threatened the safety of my other animals or get another animal and bring in to a home where I already had a pet who would harm another animal.

I now anxiously await the vets call to say that I can collect Charlie!! Thank you all again for your kind comments and encouragement. I will let you know how things go. I will also post some pictures, it is one of my goals to post a picture of Izzy and Charlie together!! So, it might be a long wait! lol.

Any ideas about why Charlie may be so aggressive in the home and other enclosed areas (towards, dogs only so far) much appreciated.

foreign_correspondent

sounds to me like Charlie is a bit nervous and when he feels threatens thinks its better to make a big show of being tough...

I think it's pretty common that dogs are more relaxed with other dogs outside (where there is a theoretical escape route) than inside, where they feel enclosed. Also, the vets is funny place for dogs - mine drags me in, as she loves the fuss - my mum's dog goes into full on terrified mode (shes normally pretty chilled) - and has to be muzzled as a result - who knows what smells and emotions thay are picking up on in there?

Also, at home, there will be issues about being in each others territory - it must be a shock to the system for your existing dog to have this invader in the home! And to Charlie, to find he is sharing with another dog!

Sounds like you are doing a really good job Tina, and giving Charlie your best shot here! Whichever way it goes, you will know you did your best.

Mutter_2

You sound a wonderful mum Tina. hope it works for you all.

tina_foskett

On 07/08/2010 I posted a thread "Rescue Dog". At that time I was very desperate and convinced I had made a major mistake taking in another Rescue Dog who had turned our household upside down and left us all in a dilema about his future as he had been very vicious to our other dog. If you read the posts you will probably see and understand how desperate we were at that time.

Looking back now it seems so long ago and I would never have thought we would be we are today with our dogs. Charlie eventually began to settle and gradually the dogs were introduced to each other.

To cut a long story short today we can leave Charlie and Izzy in a room to gether alone which was totally out of the question last August and for the following 3 or 4 months or more. The only other thing we watch very carefully is food. Charlie is obsessive about foot and can become very vicious if there is food about and particulary if Izzy is in range and able to access whatever food is available. Charlie was very underweight and looked half starved when he came to live with us. He now looks very stocky, very healthy, not to forget a very happy dog who walks with a contented swagger.

We separate Charlie and Izzy at night times and when we are all out of the house.

However, they do play together, lay in the sun together, walk side by side when they are out and funnily enough Charlie is protective of Izzy, which we do not encourage but never thought would happen. Charlie is proof that a Rescue Dog who seems so vicious towards other dogs and out of control when he sees another dog or in the company of other dogs can change; although it is not something we take for granted. Charlie still has his faults he is not perfect but certainly not the scary, out of control dog when in the company of other dogs that we thought he was when we first bought him home.

Finally, my son's girlfriend aged 19 years never had animals while she was growing up. She says she didn't much care for animals particularly dogs. Charlie has changed all that and she absolutely dotes on him, and him on her too.

For a while I felt we had our fingers well and truely burnt by taking in a rescue dog like Charlie. Today we cannot believe our luck...........while he still has his moments, we are able to control them, and wouldn't be without him. He was worth all the heartache, the tears, the hardwork and the cash we spent trying to put whatever it was wrong with him right. The sense of satisfaction and pure amazement of watching him now lying in the garden next to Izzy in the sunshine is unique and it's very heartwarming to know, yes we did the right thing.

Ilona

I have just read through the whole of this thread, wanting to know the outcome. Thank you so much for taking Charlie, you have done a wonderful job, and thank you for taking the time to post your reports.
Ilona

ali-t

What a fantastic happy ending. I didn't see the original thread at the time but would have said IME, it can take time. It took me 18 months before I would leave my dogs alone together and even now there is a stair gate between them when I go out as they are both breeds that would fight to the bitter end if an argument broke out.

I am really pleased for you it has all worked out, another 2 happy staffs!

hethmar

You have done incredibly well, I dont think many people would have had the dedication you have shown - its not easy when you see a much loved long term pet under threat by the newcomer. I do so hope it continues to get better and better for you.

Has he now been neutered? It was not good of a rescue to allow him to go without neutering.

Darlyd

I have just read through and was thinking !!!!!! this is normal, totally normal for staffies.. I am surprised your cat's are ok though, as Staffies tend to not like them unless they are brought up from puppy with them. Am sorry If the begining sounded harsh.

My experience, I had Molly from puppy, started seeing now hubby who had Sam from birth (they were both 3 at this time), Molly would go for Sam most of the time, then he would turn back on her, so she would back off, then she would try and get her revenge, every now and then. But Molly never been one for mixing with other dogs anyway. We moved in last year (after nearly 6-7 years) they still had the odd fight. But after few months no more fights, they slept together, left alone together. Adored each other. Sadly Sam passed away now.

When a staffy looks/sounds like they want to kill another dog acorss the room, it's not quite that, It's the fact they want to be nearer to them. When taking Molly for walks/vets she would come across as angry and wanting to kill another dog, Vet suggested take her over to the other dog, a sniff of a bum, tail standing up, hair standing up, then a huff maybe a growl then that was time to walk away. It's funny that Molly will never go for another dog only a staff!

I am so glad things worked out for you though. They may have the odd scrap, but just jump in and split them, they have become soul mates.