Please Help Us!!!

[mazmezroz]

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Sorry don't know how I managed to post this twice. Perhaps I will get twice the number of replies! Shows how desparate I am!!!!! :blink:

Have had Lizzie at home for 4 days. Got her from a Rescue home, and she is absolutely gorgeous. BUT over the last day or so she has started growling and snarling and barking at her reflection.

Today we tried her for the first time with a friend's dog - and she was absolutely dreadful! She was barking and growling SOOOO much, she foamed at the mouth. She wouldn't even take a treat when she was quiet (which she only was for a nano second).

Really upset cos it's affecting our relationship with her - we thought she was so gentle. She had been in the kennels with other dogs, so we were told she was good with other dogs.

Please someone tell us whether this will get better. We've got lots of friends with dogs, and we were even thinking about getting a second dog at a later stage.

Please reply!

 

[Tea_juice]

All I can say, is what other people have already said in your other posts i'm afraid, it's really early days still, and far too soon for her to be showing her true personality. She's a rescue, so god only knows what the poor thing's already been through, and even though you're showing her nothing but kindness and love, she must still be so bewildered and frightened the poor love. I really dont think her real personality will show for at least a fortnight. I have had various rescue animals, and none of them have ever settled fully in 4 days.

Sorry I can't really offer any advice, except carry on taking it slow, and being patient with her. She's a lovely looking dog, and i'm sure she has a lovely personality in there too

 

[wolfhound]

Rather than "introducing" two dogs new to each other - face-to-face - just take them for a walk together. Your new dog MUST love walks, yes?

Don't "introduce" them - just keep walking forward, at first a bit apart, and then a bit closer, then far apart again, then closer. etc.

She will associate the other dog with something pleasant, and when they both catch the same scent in the grass, for some reason the "sniffing together" act is a great ice breaker.

Go for dog walks with different people, or get into a dog walking group. Walking and sniffing is good for making friends. Every new rescue dog which comes to me has to go out walking the moment they arrive with the two or three leaders of the pack here. Once that's done, all is well, and I have not had a fight yet.

 

[jok]

What wolfhound says makes a lot of sense. I was going to ask where did the two dogs meet? If your friends dog came into your house, your new dog may be feeling very territorial of her new home and this could have caused the problem. She has been through so many changes already and this could have upset her. It's better to let dogs meet on neutral ground to begin with, for example on a walk. Some dogs will be fine with other dogs when out and about but don't tolerate outsiders in their own home.

Also, to begin with, pick quiter gentle dogs to socialise her with. Not ones that will harrass her to death, jump all over her and frighten her. A good natured, older sensible dog would probably be best. :luck:

 

[jok]

Forgot to add - my sisters rescue whippie x, was not good with other dogs when she first had him. However, this was down to fear. He would snap and growl at other dogs when they came near because he was frightened. By socialising with the right dogs and building up his confidence, he gradually improved. As your dog becomes more secure and confident hopefully things will improve for you too.

 

[mazmezroz]

Thanks for the advice, all hungrily devoured for every crumb of comfort!!!

We met outside at the end of our drive, so perhaps too close to home for comfort. Mollie (the other dog) is quite a quiet dog, and was obviously terrified by Lizzie, despite the fact that Lizzie is about a quarter her size!!

Lizzie is not walking well on a lead on her own, and I had hoped that Mollie might give her some ideas that walking is fun. But of course this didn't happen. Lizzie doesn't seem to realise that walks are supposed to be for fun and sniffing. I just thought it was a bitch thing, cos the last dog we had was, um a dog!! He would sniff every blade of grass and annoint it too. Lizzie doesn't understand that she has to do her stuff whilst walking too.

Feel really churned up inside, but keep reminding myself it's only 4 days........ Very early days yet. :unsure:

 

[~whitecross whippets~]

thought i repost this on this thread...you seem to have 2 :lol:

it can take up to 6mths for a rescue dog to settle down so i wouldnt be too worried at the moment...

saying that if it does not settle down i would contact the kennels and have a chat with them...most reputable kennels have a behaviourist attached to them and they could give you some info concerning your dog or general advice and help...

if it is fear based aggression (behaviour versus temperament) it usually improves with great success if treated correctly...

also hormones play a large part sometimes and your vet may work with the behaviourist with some medication(if necessary?)

good luck

 

[Juley]

My friends dog took a violent dislike to another at dog club. They hated each other. They started to go for walks together with a good distance between them and within weeks were quite happy walking together. I think it will take time but if she is sweet and loving to you then worth the effort. Good luck with her.

 

[maggymills]

she wont enjoy these things yet- all new and different, just take it slowly, you dont want to scare her or overdo everything at the moment.

just keep a sense of humour about it all, and take it slower- so its easier for the dog to take these changes in- goodluck xxx :huggles:

 

[Seraphina]

It sounds as if Lizzie had a very traumatic life. I had couple of dogs that came to me as adults, and I would say it took at least 6 months before they were totally settled in. They were show dogs that did not quite turn out, so nothing dramatic happened to them (I knew their previous owners well) except being rehomed to me, to very loving home.

Try to walk her alone, and do not allow her to pull. Best way is to have a snack in your hand and try to get her walking along side you on about 4ft. leash, if she reaches the end of the leash call her to you and feed her tiny bits of snack. Walk as fast as you can or even jog, as long as she does not pull. As others already suggested; meet your friend somewhere in the park and at first only from distance and see how will Lizzie react. Later on if she still acts aggressively I would hold her by the collar petting her, and talking to her reassuringly, while your friend slowly approaches with her dog. If possible your friend should come close enough that you can pet her dog to show Lizzie you like this dog and it is not a threat to you or her. You may not be able to do all that in one go, stop if she is getting too distressed or aggressive, and try again later. It will not happen overnight, but I am sure she will be a different dog in the end.

:luck: :luck: :luck:

 

[Nicola]

I wonder if clicker training would work? The dog associates something pleasant with the noise made from a clicker. You teach them this in the home, and then when they have got the hang of it, use it when you are out and about. When something potentially stressful threatens i.e. another dog, they will then associate the noise with a treat, and this will diffuse things.

I'm not an expert by any means (far from it!), and I don't use any clicker training myself, but it worked for an aggressive little Patterdale terrier on the Victoria Stillwell prog the other week.

Is Lizzie a Patterdale cross...I can't help thinking there are similarities? She's lovely!

Good luck :luck: