[Closed] Rescue dog advise

We had a similar thing with a rescued collie. All was fine for the first month or so, then he started getting aggressive for no apparent reason.

We had a dog behavior expert come to the house, she saw the aggression. Because there was no apparent trigger, and we had a toddler in the house, it was too big a risk and he had to go back to the rescue centre.

While I admire those who take rescue dogs, IMO, it is too risky, particularly with a child in the house. When we decide the time is right for another 4 legged friend, we will get a puppy, from known parentage.

🙁

Been mistreated in the past by someone who looks like you?

I grew up in a house full of dogs. My Mum has been breeding dogs , showing dogs  and competing in obedience and agility competitions with dogs since before I was born.

Growing up in that environment has made me into a dog magnet, all dogs are immediately drawn to me. I exude dog-friendliness with every fibre of my being.

All except for next doors rescue dog, Jools.

She's been there for nearly ten years and is extremely friendly with everyone she meets.....except me. I am treated with fear and suspicion and the occasional outbreak of panicked barking.

I've always assumed that, in her previous life, she was abused by my evil twin.

I'm similar grew up around dogs and usually dogs are all over me like a rash. It's a shame because she's a nice little dog and I'm hoping we can turn it around

Difficult to know why she's doing it, but it's very probably something to do with her background. Two months is still early days though, she's still settling in.

She's displaying fear, so easiest advice is give her nothing to be fearful of. Dogs read body language and tone of voice much more than you realise, so, basically, be nice to her. Who gives her her food? Maybe you should make a point of doing it as much as possible, then she learns that food comes from you, which is always a good thing as far as dogs are concerned.

I do most the feeding and walking in a bid to make her associate me with good things. And the wife does any scolding for bad behaviour so I don't have to raise my voice to her abe make it worse

Sounds like you're doing the right things.

Are there any common factors to when she acts up? It can be something you'd not even noticed, like wearing a particular sweater, or what you'd been doing/near previously (so you smell of something). We had problems with ours for a bit when we left the house; sometimes he'd go mental, sometimes he'd be fine. We worked out that the times he went mad were the times we got coats out of the cupboard before leaving, and he was fine when we didn't. We realised that the cupboard also had his lead in, so it seems he associated it opening with going for a walk, so when we opened it and didn't take him, he assumed he'd been forgotten. Put his lead in a drawer, sorted.

The only thing I've noticed is it tends to start if I'm the first one to get home and not my wife. Then she'll constantly be like it for a few days

Maybe previous owner smacked her about when he was on his own. And is it happening whenever you're the first one home, or when you've come from somewhere in particular (I'm thinking the pub, so you smell a bit of booze)?

You could try having a treat and a fuss at the ready as soon as you come in, so she's pleased to see you. Is she alright being left on her own, i.e. she's not already wound up by the time you get home?

She seems fine alone just settles in her bed.

Two months is not really very long so the situation might sort itself out on its own in time.

Only things I'd say is neither you nor your wife should be scolding her or raising your voice to her. Try rewarding good behaviour and ignoring unwanted behaviour instead.

Also, don't force her to interact with you if she chooses not to. I mean when you come home first, don't even look at her, talk to her, nothing, wait till she comes to you on her own terms.

Good luck with her, sure you'll get there in the end.

Thanks for the advice guys I'll take it on board and just keep plodding away at it.

Maybe you're possessed, sounds like animal's behaviour in horror movies. Probably the only logical answer maybe...

Lol I think it's the dog who's possessed

I went to a zoo once, it wasn't very good. It only had one animal.

Only things I’d say is neither you nor your wife should be scolding her or raising your voice to her. Try rewarding good behaviour and ignoring unwanted behaviour instead.

Also, don’t force her to interact with you if she chooses not to. I mean when you come home first, don’t even look at her, talk to her, nothing, wait till she comes to you on her own terms.

This.

Try some very gentle positive reinforcment based training with her to build trust.

It's also possible your username is just freaking her out 😉

Our rescue is the same. Had her 3 years now, she was 6 months when we got her. I mostly walk her but she loves the wife and is very wary of me. She will growl at me if I get too close to the wife sometimes.... even after I’ve just fed her and taken her out the ingrate.

It certainly appears she is wary of men in general.

Shes pretty nervous in general and barks flippin loads and gets quite unpredictable when out into situations with strangers.

The worst is people coming into the house.... of sweet mother of god she goes into melt down... every time. Out 17 yr son is in an out with mates every half hour and it’s just bedlam. We have to shut her away and just let her sonic bark crack plaster and rattle windows until they’ve left...  she’s met them all a thousand times FFS. This is the same with just about everyone.

BBQs and parties are horrendous if she’s not removed from the house and no bugger will look after her.

Basically shes flippin crap, a highly strung paranoid Romanian rescue dog that only likes the wife and no one will look after her. I’d get rid but the wife won’t have it ( so maybe loose both then?)

had a conversation with a colleague who was looking to get a mutt and I told him to do his homework before hand and not just fall for the first thing they see in the rescue centre.... or better still get a designer dog that has had these traits bred out as much as poss .... see all of the poodle cross breeds which seem to be quite manageable little hounds.

this is not as bad a my friend who has a deer hound/ greyhound cross.... shit this thing is not a pet and pretty much designed to live in a barn on an estate whilst chasing anything that is furry and moves...  not live in a tiny canal boat terrorising cats, dogs, cyclists, runners, pedestrians and kids that happen to be using the tow path. Not sure what he was thinking when he got this beast.

Sounds like you've got it alo t worse than me donks

Basically shes flippin crap, a highly strung paranoid Romanian rescue dog that only likes the wife and no one will look after her

Just for balance we have a 1 year old Romanian rescue and she is great, loves everyone.  Really well adjusted wee dog.

I’ll do you a swap then Shawn.

Thanks for all the sugestions