Advice need re rescue dog *LONG!*

neveranymoney

Yey! Thank you skintandscared! That's my wee Scamper pup!

meritaten

CUTE! he has kind eyes.
all I can say is that a rescue dog probably has 'issues' and you will find odd behaviours popping up. if he is basically a loving dog and trainable then you WILL find ways of coping with him. its early days and I think he looks worth a bit of work on your part.

CFC

Remember, all of this is new to him and a couple of weeks is nothing. Terriers are excitable by nature and also not known for their stunning level of obedience.

Training would be a great way to go, if you are a normal person you're unlikely to be able to afford your own personal behaviourist or trainer, but do look for a local dog training society - there are more than you might think, and they do 'constant' classes rather than just a 6 week basic as you tend to get if you to a 'training class' you find advertised.

You need to learn to train him and that is what you will get from a training class, as well as advice from the trainers about specifics.

If he's like my little boy, then food or toys are not the bestest things in the world, other dogs are.....hence it's not that he's disobeying you, it's likely that he can't even hear you when there's another dog on the horizon. The consistent aim of training is to teach them to hear you even when they want to do something else.....decide on the tack you will take when he sees dogs and stick to it. Eventually you will get there.

Accept that it will take him a good amount of time to settle down. I felt with my boy (half Westie) that really it took a year for him to grow into being with us. Remember, he's only a dog, he doesn't understand what's happened with his life or why he's with you. It's going to take time before it's all 'normal' for him.

Also bear in mind that rescue dogs do often have issues, whether small or large, so you'll be working on them for some while to come. BUT you CAN overcome any issues, it will just take time and patience. My boy is five in November, and it's really only this year that he's learned to play with us rather than on his own, and the amount of time I've put in over the years trying to get him to do it is a LOT.

As for licking the forelegs and hind quarters, it could be anxiety, maybe anal glands, but it could also be a skin condition or even fleas.

Seriously, no dog is perfect. If you look at it objectively, it's miracle enough that an animal from another species can communicate sufficiently with you to do what you ask (not always lol) and let you know what they want. Don't ask for perfection, you won't get it, and it's not his fault or your fault. Even a kid is disobedient, lazy, don't listen to you, and have a strop from time to time, you can't expect more from your beloved mutt than you expect from your kids

Re him legging it...mmm he's a terrier, see the above bit about obedience. If left to their own devices dogs (especially terriers!) wouldn't stay in the garden or the house, they'd wander round the vicinity all day and come back to sleep eat and cuddle when they'd had enough. Guard your entrances at all times!

Re attacking other dogs - well he didn't bite the cav, so he's probably ok really. But remember anything terrier like will take anyone on, they have hearts the size of a lion, and a deep sense of 'entitlement' so personally I'd be extremely cautious about leaving him unsupervised with other dogs until they have established a long acquaintance with each other and you are absolutely 100% sure that there are no potential issues.

And just to remind you again...a labrador and a terrier are two very different creatures!

Re the vet - the initial consultation is really heart lungs and teeth, anything obviously wrong from a quick glance gets looked at, plus jabs. If you have noticed anything about your dog it won't get looked at till you mention it. Ask the vet about the nibbling and licking when you go back for next jab.

By the way....welcome to Terrier Land!

skintandscared_2

neveranymoney wrote: »

Yey! Thank you skintandscared! That's my wee Scamper pup!

Awwwww he is GORGEOUS!

neveranymoney

CFC, I had to laugh at your comment about being a normal person and not being able to afford a trainer, you are darn tooting in that respect! I think you are right, it is going to be a learning curve and the fact that I am off the fags (AGAIN) is not helping matters much. We had another Houdini moment today. Husband doesn't know if the new, Pets at Home sturdy looking lead wasn't secured properly or it opened but again, he was away like a rocket. Same story, only caught because he was attracted to other dogs. I don't care what anyone says, but he KNEW he shouldn't have done it as once back on lead, he walked like a Crufts champion.

Skintandscared, he is a gorgeous wee blighter, isn't he?

skintandscared_2

He certainly is! I think our Teddy is going to have a similar face shape and fluffiness about him. It's hard to tell - he's only 13 weeks at the mo!

neveranymoney

Oh, he is a real cutey, I love the name Teddy! Their ears and facial shape are very alike as well. CFC, he is SO not a lab. If you have to tell Scampers off, he will fall out with you pretty quickly and lie on the other settee and look exrtemely put upon. He was my daughters shadow initially and she had a sleep over at my mums for one single night, and when she came home he completely ignored her!

skintandscared_2

neveranymoney wrote: »

Oh, he is a real cutey, I love the name Teddy! Their ears and facial shape are very alike as well. CFC, he is SO not a lab. If you have to tell Scampers off, he will fall out with you pretty quickly and lie on the other settee and look exrtemely put upon. He was my daughters shadow initially and she had a sleep over at my mums for one single night, and when she came home he completely ignored her!

Thank you! I know I am biased by OMG he is soooo cute!! I think there is definitely some border terrier in there as he's a proper "scruffy" Jack. He apparently ran round the park for an HOUR AND A HALF this afternoon and still isn't worn out.... LOL!!!