dogs

January 11, 2003

Regarding dogs... I volunteer extensivly with a local no kill non-breed

specific animal rescue group and we get all types of dogs, many of whom

have been abused. It does take time and patience and an understanding

of dogs... most of the problems are worked out while the dog is in

foster care, with someone who knows dogs, but sometimes problems arrise

after adoption. We fortunately live in a town with a vet school at the

university and in the clinic, they have a behaviorlist. I have

recommended folks to them before and would again... I would personally

go to your vet and ask for a referal to a behavirolist or a trainer who

is expert in abused animals. It takes time, but it can be done.

For example, we rescued (with owner permission) a mix dog who had

recently given birth... she had been tied to a 4 foot rope with no

shelter, food.... neighbors fed her as they could... she was logically

scared of humans and dog aggressive. It took a month, but she

eventually didn't cower and run away from me (I was her foster mom) and

with walks in the dog park... In the beginning, we had to muzzle her at

the park so that she wouldn't hurt any of the other dogs, but with time

and a lot of praise and discipline, she got to the point where she no

longer needed the muzzle and was acutally an amazingly sweet and loving

dog. She got adopted by a great couple with a big dog who liked to

play and she is living it up now.

However, not every dog can be rescued. I had anotherr who was sweet in

the beginning but after a few days in my house, tried to bite me alot

and was very aggressive. Scared the @#$! out of me for sure. Due to

other medical problems that were beyond treatment, like gangreen... he

was medically euthanized. But honestly, I don't think he would have

ever been socialized.

Go slow, ask lots of questions and most of all, love your dog. They

are smarter than they look and know a good thing when they get it.

Best of luck!

Genie

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