Rescued 2-year old is "afraid"

**rhepperle** · 09-03-2010, 04:50 PM

Thank you, I found one of those titles at the library so I will pick it up tonight for this weekend.

**BigBrownDog** · 09-11-2010, 11:07 PM

Anything new here? Been a week since we heard from you. Please check in if you are still visiting the forum.

**rhepperle** · 09-13-2010, 03:38 PM

Well, we had a trainer come to the house to help us out. I thought it went well, she gave a few things to work on over the next week and are supposed to call her in a week and see where we are. She thought once we can get past the initial "fear" that things would get better. We know it will be a long process and are just trying to stay consistent with her.

I did start "On the Other End of the Leash" and so far a very good book for any dog owner. I am glad you recommended it becasue it is a classic "don't judge a book by its cover" kind of book. I would have never picked up the book becasue it does not have that typical "training book" look.

**BigBrownDog** · 09-13-2010, 06:51 PM

Good news! Thanks for the update.

**rhepperle** · 09-24-2010, 04:07 PM

Just wanted to jump in a give a quick update. We have the trainer coming again this Sunday. In the meantime they had us put the leash on her and leave it on.

Last night she let us do a little brushing/grooming and we tried to take her for a walk but she did not want to go out the front door or through the gate so we walked around the yard a bit. At lunch today she let me approach her and pet her for the first time in several weeks. Baby steps but at the same time giant leaps for us!

**BigBrownDog** · 09-24-2010, 10:28 PM

That's pretty awesome! Walking around the yard is fine. Praise and rewards all the time when she is being calm and allowing contact. Eventually she will seek attention and contact with you.

Thanks for coming back and updating - good luck with the trainer on Sunday. She is a dog that won't be able to handle any correction/punishment - all positive with her. Make sure your trainer is on board with that.

**kassabella** · 09-25-2010, 07:43 PM

Glad you are getting there.

Excellent advice Sharon.

I adopted Ernie at 3.5 who hadn't been socialised. He didn't know basic words, wasn't house trained as he wasn't allowed inside, scared of the phone ringing, birds tweeting, and didn't trust anyone. I couldnt treat as he didn't know what they were. His owners had left him in the garage with food so he ate when he wanted to. His eyes had no spark. As if he had no soul.

I made a list of goals and diary so I could take one step at a time and then look back each month to see the progress. And there was progress even a small amount was good. It was slow. Took 2 months before he would sit in the same room as me. Once he did that we would all sit in the room. I got him to trust us and get familiar with his surroundings before I tried socialising with other people or dogs. If I did it always ended in frustration for both of us. I had to teach him people were nice and he could trust them. I also learned his triggers for bad behaviour. We don't know what went on in their lives before and often triggers set them off.

There were times you think I can't do this any more, but hang in there. It does take time. Unfortunately a lot of time and patience, love, and praise, (especially praise) but the end result is well worth it.

ETA ..I had to be very careful how I handled him. I couldn't use the one size fits all training and with trial and error worked the best way for him and I. Even though he bit and was wild, he was scared. I wanted him tamed ( for want of a better word), but not destroy what little self esteme he had.
The vet ( dog trainer) was forceful even though I said no he isn't sure of men you will get his back up and bite. Vet didn't listen, Erns bite, became frantic and I never went back. It was horrible. Ilearned that day I needed to be patient, yet firm with him and go with my gut instinct.

**camilleschroeder** · 09-28-2010, 06:38 PM

Yeah, excellent advice. And I agree, its all about the baby steps. Taking it one step at a time and introducing more when the dog seems ready. GOOD on you for taking her in!

**rhepperle** · 10-28-2010, 06:03 PM

Just to give an update, I have contacted the National Mill Dog Rescue to get some help from a behavioralist and will be talking to them this weekend to see if they can offer some help. I figure I can never have too many "tools" in the toolbox.

Robert

**BigBrownDog** · 10-28-2010, 07:53 PM

Robert - thanks for another update! Good idea to seek out their advice - they have seen a whole lot of what you are dealing with.

How is your dog doing? Any further progress?