-
New rescue dog protocol
So I have a client that adopted what’s probably a pit maybe boxer mix about a month ago. She has a beagle about 2 yrs old. And the new rescue is about 2. The new rescue is scared of everything. They let her stay on the couch most of the day. She does go out but they have to open the door and back away so she will go out. Once out she will play with the beagle but scared to approach people. We were playing find it in the yard a bit and they seem to like doing that. But when they go to go back inside she only will go in with no one near the door and bolts inside back to the coach. She has recently started on occasion will growl and show her teeth when the beagle wants to go on the couch. But not all the time. They did not do proper acclimation in keeping them separate when the new dog came home. I told them them need to start doing that especially when they are not able to monitor them in the same space They do crate the new dog when they are not home thankfully. Can anyone offer me more guidance on what they need to do with the new pup.
I told them to work on basic obedience with their previous dog so the new dog will maybe watch and be interested to “play” the training games too. Find it games with them. Easy games to play
-
6 Replies
-
This sounds like a complicated situation, @dmcd323 . If the new dog is that frightened of the people and ‘everything’ as you mention, and so very leery about crossing the threshold to go in and out, they should consider speaking with the vet about an anti-anxiety medication.
Will the new dog take food from a person’s hand in any context? If so, I’d recommend plenty of hand-feeding. Otherwise, lobbing food to her from a comfortable distance. Suzanne Clothier has a great protocol called ‘treat/retreat’ that you could look into.
Are you new to working with very fearful dogs? If so, this could be challenging case to help with solo.
I agree there needs to be separation when the dogs are not closely supervised, but it would be important to figure out a set-up where the new dog doesn’t continue rehearsing the growling at the beagle when it approaches the couch.
I’m looking forward to learning more about this situation, and to see other member recommendations.-
Thank you. I was going to recommend a vet visit would be a good thing also and the treat and retreat is a good idea.
Yes I am new to training somewhat also so I am reaching out for help with another trainer who has more experience in my area also.
Any advice is definitely appreciated!
Thank you
-
Oh and she will take treats from my had as I stand sideways and hold it down for her.
-
That’s a good sign, @Denise – would the owners be willing to hand feed this dog? It could really help. I wouldn’t do it with the other dogs around at all. And I would start outside (where the dog is more comfortable). I would not hand feed on the couch. Actually, I’d probably install a baby gate and keep her off the couch for now, if she’s already guarding it from the other dogs.
Resource guarding is the one area of “aggression” where I see dogs cross species (in other words, with practice, she could expand this “skill” toward the owners.)
-
I am gonna talk to them more about the hand feeding
I think they can they did get a xpen to divide the areas so she can use that when feeding.
-
-
-
-
Hi Denise – I second everything Virginia said – this is a complex situation. I’d sure think about having a conversation with them about their expectations for this dog and their household. It may be that this dog will thrive in their household in time… but also, if they have high expectations for this dog’s resilience…. maybe not. Have you chatted about their goals?
And for sure, if this dog is so shut down she won’t get off the couch and is truly afraid of “everything” – it would be a true kindness to find a medication that could provide some support while she acclimates. (Better living through chemistry for the win!)
Please keep us posted!
Log in to reply.