Carlo11 Posted August 30, 2011 Share Posted August 30, 2011 Hello all, I am a newbie to this forum and I have just started foster caring for dogs. My first foster baby is a 2yr old male Pharoah Hound called Kenya. There has been suspected abuse in his past and as a result, he is very timid and fearful of new situations.He obviously hasnt been socialised much at all and is wary of men but warms up to them in time.He is a sweet boy who im sure will blossom in the right home. He is learning to walk on a lead and is doing ok.I tried to give him a bath yesterday but he was terrified,shivering with fear and screaming high pitched yelps.He is sensitive about having his front feet touched and will bare his teeth but no growl or bite has he given. He has been a challenge for it being my first foster dog. Im looking for advice on how to rehabilitate him,socialise him and make him the best he can be. Any advice on rehoming or fostering in general? He is on Petrescue. Thanks! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TsarsMum Posted August 30, 2011 Share Posted August 30, 2011 i think you need to speak to who ever you are fostering him through. He sounds like he needs alot of help and time. and showing fear aggression i cant help you with any ideas but i would say a behaviouist is needed. so see if he end up being ok to rehome Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Quickasyoucan Posted August 30, 2011 Share Posted August 30, 2011 Maybe post in the rescue forum they would have more experience with fosters. I understand Pharoahs are a relatively rare breed. Maybe also see if you can find a breeder who might give you a few tips. Not sure if there is a breed club too? Or a breed rescue. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SkySoaringMagpie Posted August 30, 2011 Share Posted August 30, 2011 (edited) PM Fiona Mills, she has been fostering pharaohs and pharaoh mixes recently. Also, pop into the Sighthound thread: http://www.dolforums.com.au/topic/107387-sighthounds/page__st__5130 Edit - there is no breed rescue organisation and there is a known problem with at least one breeder breeding irresponsibly. This dog would not be the first fearful pharaoh with potential fear aggression to wind up in rescue this year and I don't know when we will see the last. It's real stuff. Edited August 30, 2011 by SkySoaringMagpie Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Whipitgood Posted August 30, 2011 Share Posted August 30, 2011 I thought they were a really rare breed, what are they doing in rescue??! PM Fiona Mills, she has been fostering pharaohs and pharaoh mixes recently. Also, pop into the Sighthound thread: http://www.dolforums.com.au/topic/107387-sighthounds/page__st__5130 Edit - there is no breed rescue organisation and there is a known problem with at least one breeder breeding irresponsibly. This dog would not be the first fearful pharaoh with potential fear aggression to wind up in rescue this year and I don't know when we will see the last. It's real stuff. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Carlo11 Posted August 30, 2011 Author Share Posted August 30, 2011 Thanks guys . . .He came from a breeder who doesnt have such a good reputation.They were contacted but refused to answer calls or emails etc . . . He then had another owner . . .who doesnt seem to have treated him any better. There is no specific breed rescue.I have hunted and even contacted Dogs NSW. I rescued him with the assistance of another well respected animal rescuer but in hindsight,I should have joined a rescue group because they can offer more support than I can access. Where do I find a reputable behaviourist? I could ask my fellow fosterer but I have bombarded her with so many questions already so I joined here for more help and support . . . .Kenya has been a steep learning curve.In my heart, I feel that he may not be rehomeable as too much damage has been done to him mentally. I will PM Fiona Mills . . . Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Carlo11 Posted August 30, 2011 Author Share Posted August 30, 2011 So this isnt the first Pharoah Hound like this? I am amazed to hear that. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
WreckitWhippet Posted August 30, 2011 Share Posted August 30, 2011 So this isnt the first Pharoah Hound like this? I am amazed to hear that. Sadly they turn up quite frequently, even though they are not bred in large numbers. They need to be well socialised as babies ( you are seeing the impact of not doing so now ) and they make very good escape artists. I know of one dog who showed up in a pound numerous times, he was a repeat offender. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Quickasyoucan Posted August 30, 2011 Share Posted August 30, 2011 Thanks guys . . .He came from a breeder who doesnt have such a good reputation.They were contacted but refused to answer calls or emails etc . . . He then had another owner . . .who doesnt seem to have treated him any better. There is no specific breed rescue.I have hunted and even contacted Dogs NSW. I rescued him with the assistance of another well respected animal rescuer but in hindsight,I should have joined a rescue group because they can offer more support than I can access. Where do I find a reputable behaviourist? I could ask my fellow fosterer but I have bombarded her with so many questions already so I joined here for more help and support . . . .Kenya has been a steep learning curve.In my heart, I feel that he may not be rehomeable as too much damage has been done to him mentally. I will PM Fiona Mills . . . Steve at K9 Pro www.k9pro.com.au I am not sure where you are in NSW though. He is located in the Hawksbury area at the foot of the blue mountains. Well worth contacting him. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Carlo11 Posted August 30, 2011 Author Share Posted August 30, 2011 Thanks! Ill look K9 pro up too. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Her Majesty Dogmad Posted August 30, 2011 Share Posted August 30, 2011 (edited) There was a Pharoah breeder in NSW who was having a "fire sale" last year, moving all their dogs on asap. 2 of those dogs are the dogs that Fiona now has but before they got there, they experienced a most hideous life, having been rehomed to a back yard breeder. They ended up in the pound at one point but then bred with Afghans before being put up for a quick sale together with their puppies. I had contacted a couple of Pharoah breeders at the time to try and track down the breeder when the poor girls ended up in the pound. i spoke to the actual breeder and found out what was happening. i also had a response from another breeder and they were helpful. They just told me that they have been contacted by others who had adopted Pharoahs and weren't coping, needing to rehome, also from the same breeder. Sighthounds don't normally warm up to new people that quickly - it was 2 mths for my rescued Italian Greyhound to get used to me. you probably need to give this dog time to trust you. The best thing I can suggest is to leave the dog in peace and wait for him to come to you. I'd recommend trying the All Natural Vets at Russell Lea, they have behaviouralists and also prescribe Chinese Herbs, they can have amazing results but the vets would be the best people to talk to about your foster dog's behaviours etc. Edited August 30, 2011 by dogmad Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Alyosha Posted August 30, 2011 Share Posted August 30, 2011 You've really jumped in at the deep end of fostering!! Well done for taking him in. I'll second what SSM said and say chat to Fiona, and do pop into the Sighthound thread. We do lots of supporting each other and networking and are always happy to chat sighthounds or help any way we can. You're not alone. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Nekhbet Posted August 30, 2011 Share Posted August 30, 2011 (edited) We have a pharoah at dog club who was totally unsocialised as a pup. Very flighty and shakes, pulls away, barks a lot etc. Remember pharoahs are a quite standoffish breed and can be drama queens anyway especially when they don't know you. The bathing and front feet issue dont sound much different from the average frightened rehomed pharoah so far. Just be a firm consistent leader and dont pander to the drama. Take things slowly, quietly and gently with the dog. Edited August 30, 2011 by Nekhbet Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fiona mills Posted August 30, 2011 Share Posted August 30, 2011 (edited) Well trained and socialised Pharaohs can be very happy, outgoing dogs, I would say one of the most sociable of the sighthounds. However if this boy is from the litter I think he was, then I believe every pup from this mating has/had very unpredicatable temperaments and were skittish and fear aggressive with both people and/or other dogs. The breeder selling them to people who nothing about their needs would have certainly compounded the underlying problems. Edited August 30, 2011 by fiona mills Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Nekhbet Posted August 30, 2011 Share Posted August 30, 2011 must just be all of them hate me my friends dog is sociable but I've noticed they all tend to go through snob periods ... mmm dont like you today going over here the pharoah pups are just awesome little snuggle bums though Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Alyosha Posted August 30, 2011 Share Posted August 30, 2011 Oh, happy Pharaohs? Goofballs. Absolute loveable clowns. The shivering and screaming I wouldn't pay much attention to - sighthounds can really bung on a scream for nothing much at all, and wet shortcoated sighthounds can get a good sooky shiver going, even when used to a warm pleasant bath. The sighthound scream of death is also not uncommon in having feet handled... Especially by strangers. Some need to be sedated to have nails trimmed... It is promising that he has not snapped at all, as he sounds like he is really feeling a bit of pressure. Showing teeth can be nervousness as well as aggression - more akin to nervous, "don't hurt me" sort of "smiling" than pure aggression. So although you may not feel it Carlo, you may have some positives going on!! One day at a time. We're all here for support if you need it. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SkySoaringMagpie Posted August 30, 2011 Share Posted August 30, 2011 A well socialised well bred Pharaoh is lovely. I handled one for a friend at a show a little while back. Her whole demeanour is "Hi! I'm awesome! Let me share my awesomeness with you today!" The iffy ones tho' do tend to be hard wired skittish. This is definitely a breed where you need to research the breeder you're getting one from and view their dogs, talk to other happy pet owners, etc You can live well with a sighthound with a touchier temperament (within limits) but they are a much harder prospect to rehome. As other have said, patience and ignoring them while making sure you and the whole house are calm, consistent and predictable will go a long way. Let him come to you, don't try and make him come to you. You need to be a centre of calm, reliable predictability with a firm but gentle approach to setting boundaries. Don't bend the rules because he's a needy dog, he needs the rules more because he needs to feel sure you have everything under control. If you have some cash to spare, the book "Only Angels" which is available from the Saluki Tree of LIfe Alliance (American National Saluki Rescue Org) is a very good introduction to training sighthounds. http://www.stolastore.com/onlyangelstrainingbook.html Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Carlo11 Posted August 31, 2011 Author Share Posted August 31, 2011 Thanks for all the advice.Its nice to not feel so alone.I will persist with him and keep you updated. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest lavendergirl Posted August 31, 2011 Share Posted August 31, 2011 Not to hijack your thread Carlo but there is a lovely Pharoah for adoption at AWL Gold Coast if anyone can help him. www.youtube.com/watch?v=tvSzgvYka9Y Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Carlo11 Posted September 1, 2011 Author Share Posted September 1, 2011 Does anyone know of a reputable behaviourist that is LOCAL to Wollongong,NSW, gets results and doesnt charge like a wounded bull? Also . . .are there any local breeders of Pharaoh Hounds that can give advice etc? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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