Adopting a troubled dog

Thanks RGC, I know I am impatient but I cannot work out all her changing behaviours but as you say I just have to give her time, I guess I will always come on this site to make sure I am not doing anything wrong as I have never had a dog before, only looked after family and friends dogs for holidays so it is all new for me as well
I totally agree with you about her improvement when out walking, she loves going out, never wants to come home. She will let strangers approach her and touch her now which is fantastic
It is just this ignoring me now when we get in and going straight to her bed that is bugging me. She used to play a bit with balls and her toys before but ignores me when I try to get her to do it now
I guess I will need to wait and see if this just another phase she is going through and keep taking her out for walks which I know she loves

 

Thanks Flobo, do you know I think you have solved the issue by what you have suggested. We know she was unhappy in the home the last couple of years. My sister who used to visit the old lady concerned said that Biddy used to hide underneath a chair and stopped coming out to greet visitors. At the time she did not know if it was because she missed her male owner who had gone into care or because she had witnessed one or both of them having falls in the home or indeed even being fallen upon. which would probably have terrified her. The only time she got out was when the son came at weekends to walk her which was not always consistent so yes probably the only time she felt safe was when she was out. That would explain a lot
I feel better now, I was beginning to think that she did not like me but in all fairness she is settling down and sleeping now with her bed out in the open and not tucked in a corner
We were out down the beach early this morning, then in the woods and a walk along another seafront with a different friend and dog and she had a great time, greeted my friend and seemed to accept Bob her dog with no problems. We were out for 4 hrs and she still wanted to keep going. She is flat out at moment and has got some freshly cooked chicken as a treat tonight as she is down to 3.5kgs now not the 3 kgs that the vet wants but we are going in the right direction
If I think back on everything, she has made a tremendous amount of progress really, she still has a long way to go and maybe will never be the dog I want her to be but as long as she is happy that is enough for me
I will keep doing what I am doing and force myself to be more laid back and patient
Thanks everyone for the advice and encouragement

 

It is all thanks to you Flobo and all others on this site. I do not think we would have made it this far without everyone's help on here
I am trying to focus on all the positives now instead of worrying about the lack of progress
I guess there is gonna be a lot of ups and downs on the way but will try my best not to think negatively about anything. Cannot promise that will happen but will try hard
I will post a pic soon, still not figured how to do it