Need Some Advice With My Rescue Dog

[knitmehappy]

Hi there. My name is Jackie and I have a few questions to check if am on the right track with my labrador Buddy. He is 4 yrs old and we got him a month ago, he was surrendered by his previous owners as they didn't have time for him and were finding him "uncontrollable" with jumping etc. He has had one owner, and a few months in a shelter where they surrendered him.

Since I have had him i haven't found anything "uncontrollable" he had no leash manners to start but with a halti and consistent training and exercise he learnt to walk nicely on lead within a few days. He is still a bit pully but with consistent reminders to heel he is pretty good and by the end of a walk is great. He learnt to not chase chickens within a few days too.

His recall is poor in strange environments, but very good around the house, I am not letting him off lead until we have been to training and worked on that.

mainly my questions relate to our relationship.

Since day 1 Buddy has been fixated on me. I am everything, for the most obvious reason that I do all the walking, feeding and training. I work from home most days so he has me all to himself. I wonder if he is getting too much of a good thing as he is literally my shadow, the moment I move he is alert and following me. He has learnt "out" and stays out of the kitchen (mostly lol, more on that later) and the bathroom where the kitty litter lives.

When we are out and about he is not interested in other people, even friends and neighbours we meet regularly. My friend remarked today that he didn't even wag his tail at her when she arrived at school pickup. He seems to ignore everybody but me.

I should mention my family includes me, my husband, 8 yr old daughter, cat and chickens.

I have started making sure buddy spends a couple of hours a day downstairs (he sleeps downstairs in the rumpus room) when I am working so we are not joined at the hip, so to speak. He is developing separation anxiety which is manifesting by breaking out as I am leaving to try to follow me. I put him downstairs (a baby gate on top of stairs to keep cat and dog apart while I am gone) and he wants to push his way past me to ensure he goes with me. I leave him with a kong to distract him but he won't be distracted.

Will his anxiety resolve if I keep maintaining these routines? it is not "terrible" at the moment but I can see it might become that way if I don't nip it in the bud. Also he tends to a a couple of crazy periods generally in the evening, but sometimes in the morning, when he goes nuts, charges around, breaks into the kitchen, steals things, steals the cats food, chases the cat etc. Total lunatic. I have taken to just keeping him downstairs at those times so he doesn't get started.

We start formal training in 3 weeks, he was sick and in hospital the 2nd week he came here so we missed the start of those lessons and have to wait now. Will more training help these issues settle?

Thanks for reading through this long novel :)

[Guest donatella]

Poor darling, sounds like he's experiencing love from an owner for the first time. He may have been a little neglected in his past home and since coming to you, learning obedience commands, getting love, a warm bed and lots of attention, he's besotted and wants more.

My girl is a total snob to strangers, doesnt like to be petted by people she doesn't know and is my little shadow at home too.

She's good when I go out, we have a system whereby she sees me putting my work clothes on and she knows she's going go get a schmacko on my way out. if I leave without giving her one she barks and barks but if we follow routine she waits patiently (read that over eagerly lol) on the step then goes to her bed when I leave.

Im no dog expert but sounds like you are on the right track and reading Buddy's happy ever after truly warms my heart :)

[Guest lavendergirl]

Hi

You have to remember that he has spent the last 4 years with one family and goes from there to a shelter for months and now into a new home. He is going to feel lost and confused and will look for reassurance from you. One month is very early days in these cases. Once he is settled into a routine and is confident that he will not be abandoned again things will improve. Patience is the key :) You are doing the right things by giving him something to distract him while you go elsewhere to work. Make sure he is hungry and provide him with some "challenges" to get his food with food puzzles etc. Be consistent with the routine of separation times each day and gradually increase the time you are away from him. Encourage others in the household to build a rapport with him as well by providing treats and play time but don't force it too much at first. I have a little dog with separation anxiety myself and it has been over a year and we are still working on some issues! But...things do improve in time :D

[mita]

He is developing separation anxiety which is manifesting by breaking out as I am leaving to try to follow me. I put him downstairs (a baby gate on top of stairs to keep cat and dog apart while I am gone) and he wants to push his way past me to ensure he goes with me. I leave him with a kong to distract him but he won't be distracted.

I had a sheltie girl with separation anxiety and got help from a dog behaviorist at UQ Vet Hospital.

She explained that the sheltie was 'demanding' that I be there for her, all the time. Even though it looked like something 'sad', she was actually bossing me. So it's not surprising that your lab with SA, also breaks out into dominating the cat and 'grabbing' food.

Our sheltie was a very bossy girl, too!

This is what the behaviorist told us to do....and she said shelties being intelligent dogs, our girl would respond well. At that stage, we thought we had a psycho dog.... & thought the behaviorist was trying to make us feel better! To our amazement, she did respond to the strategies...and her behaviour changed.

First, the dog has to learn who's the boss. So you have to train him that, to get all good things....like food, meals, treats, lead on for a walk, going in the car.... he has to obey 'Sit' calmly for a few seconds, then 'Good boy!' and he gets it. Also he must learn to 'Wait' and let you & others in the family go thro' doors and gates first. Thus he can't 'demand'.... he has to defer to you.

Second, the dog has to learn that he has his own 'den' or 'day bed' where he goes to spend quiet time. ( Could be a place for him to be in those times when he goes on his 'rampage'.) Give him meals, treats, chewy toys there, so he knows it's a good place. You might like to consider combining this with crate training. Our sheltie had a day bed. But these days I'd probably use a crate (with a sheet over the top to get a cave feeling.). On that special place, put something that has your scent on it....an unwashed T-shirt, an old shoe or whatever. Get the dog some soft toys & rub your hands and feet all over them to transfer your scent.

The owner's scent makes a great substitute for the owner.

I've got some excellent notes from the RSPCA Qld dog trainers/behaviorists on how to crate train. Tell me, if you'd like them.

Third, the dog has to learn to be 'ignored' so it knows it can't demand your attention. When you go out, totally ignore the dog for 10 minutes before leaving....not even eye contact. (When you're gone the dog should have access to the day-bed or crate-'cave' with all those items above.) When you come home, totally ignore him for 10 minutes. Turn your back if he demands or jumps up. Only when he's calm & has given up.....then call him, tell him 'Sit' and pat him them. He learns that your attention has to be earned & he can't demand it.

Also, for a period of a couple of weeks, make a point of doing frequent bits of 'ignoring'....no eye contact, no talking to him. Keep an eye for when he's not trying to get your attention. Only then, call him, tell him 'Sit' and he gets a 'Good boy!' This isn't cruel....it's what the 'top dog' would do.

All the family members must treat him in the ways above, so it's consistent. Not only you.

It'll be very good to get him to general training, too.

Edited May 22, 2012 by mita

[Little Gifts]

Hi Jackie, I think I am starting to experience this with my current foster boy. He lived with an owner who likely adored him for 2 years but then had to surrender him. He was temp cared for by someone he knew before coming to me. He has been here now for 6 weeks. I am finding he wants to leave the house (even with me) less and less and even people who he has met a few times he is now wary of like they were strangers. It is like he is only comfortable if things are a certain way. This will impact him finding a forever home and will add to his stress levels unnesecarily.

So I am going to start working with him on leadership and gesture leaving using Amichien Bonding techniques. This might also help you as well. It is fairly easy to do. Try www.leadyourpack.co.uk and check out the 'status' area about reuniting and gesture leaving. Under www.sharpeirescue.com.au there is a link to 'leadership' in their library section which expands on the leadership techniques. I find the techniques quite simple, they don't cost anything and they certainly don't mean you can't spoil your dog - you just do it on 'alpha' terms.

As the alpha the aim is that you take away the worry for your dog in your absence - he learns to feel safe and believe that you have everything under control for your pack. Some seperation anxiety can be because a dog doesn't know what to do in the alpha's absence. We often tend to talk a lot to our dogs when we leave and of course they don't have a clue what 'instructions' we have left them with. Then when we get home and they are all manic we feed that by talking in a high pitched voice and responding to their jumping rather than ignoring it and letting it settle.

I used to have a dog I had to chase around the house to get out the door. Now I go silently to a special treat jar (only used for leaving the house), grab treats, am followed out the back by 3 dogs, they sit and get a treat, I close the door and leave, all without saying a word. It is a positive routine for them. When I get home, even if one of them is bashing the back door down I come in, put my stuff down, open up the back door without saying a word, they come running in, and I go back upstairs and sit on a chair and call them to me and give them cuddles. If they go too silly they get ignored. Usually they all sit in front of me desperate for their turn for cuddles. After that little routine is done everyone goes back about their business. It only takes a couple of minutes.

[knitmehappy]

Thanks for your replies, funnily enough while i have been reading this I've been ignoring him and he has been much calmer, and lying on the floor at my feet. I'm going to be a bit more 'structured' with my ignoring from now I think. i have been trying to make leaving and coming home low key, but will set up some strict routines along the lines of your advice.

Regarding kongs, I have read that people use peanut butter in them, is PB ok for dogs? how does one get it into the kong? I just put kibble in at the moment but kibble isn't much of a challenge for a lab lol. I might get a food puzzle as well.

I probably won't get a crate but the rumpus room downstairs already serves as a kind of den, even though its a bit large. He usually eats his food there so its a happy place. He is happy to go down for Bedtime, he gets a treat and goes to bed with no probs.

Another question, regarding feeding.

Buddy lost a lot of weight when he was sick, he had a bad gastro and passed a lot of blood and fluid. He spent a day in hospital having IV and antibiotics, and was fasting for about 3 days as well. Then he was on a restricted diet and has just transitioned back to his dry food. I noticed I could see his ribs the other day and have been giving him an extra feeding at night. He seems to be better behaved when he is fed twice a day, rather than once. Is ts ok to continue twice a day feeding- he is now back on about his regular amount, but twice a day. I am suspicious he has been hungry- is is very lean for a lab and has either been very very well exercised or fed very little. Considering his owners didn't have time for him I am suspicious he wasn't being fed huge amounts. He doesn't guard his food and is happy for me to steal it (I test him every now and again, he gets it straight back) but does seem to be more likely to raid the bin and the cats food etc than my friends lab.

[Guest lavendergirl]

Thanks for your replies, funnily enough while i have been reading this I've been ignoring him and he has been much calmer, and lying on the floor at my feet. I'm going to be a bit more 'structured' with my ignoring from now I think. i have been trying to make leaving and coming home low key, but will set up some strict routines along the lines of your advice.

Regarding kongs, I have read that people use peanut butter in them, is PB ok for dogs? how does one get it into the kong? I just put kibble in at the moment but kibble isn't much of a challenge for a lab lol. I might get a food puzzle as well.

I probably won't get a crate but the rumpus room downstairs already serves as a kind of den, even though its a bit large. He usually eats his food there so its a happy place. He is happy to go down for Bedtime, he gets a treat and goes to bed with no probs.

Another question, regarding feeding.

Buddy lost a lot of weight when he was sick, he had a bad gastro and passed a lot of blood and fluid. He spent a day in hospital having IV and antibiotics, and was fasting for about 3 days as well. Then he was on a restricted diet and has just transitioned back to his dry food. I noticed I could see his ribs the other day and have been giving him an extra feeding at night. He seems to be better behaved when he is fed twice a day, rather than once. Is ts ok to continue twice a day feeding- he is now back on about his regular amount, but twice a day. I am suspicious he has been hungry- is is very lean for a lab and has either been very very well exercised or fed very little. Considering his owners didn't have time for him I am suspicious he wasn't being fed huge amounts. He doesn't guard his food and is happy for me to steal it (I test him every now and again, he gets it straight back) but does seem to be more likely to raid the bin and the cats food etc than my friends lab.

Poor boy - he has had a rough trot! There is a Lab Breed Sub-Forum where you might get some good pointers on the amount to feed him. Are you feeding a premium kibble? There are plenty of threads on various kibbles in the Health/Nutrition forum. Maybe a little yoghurt mixed in would help his tummy recover from the gastro. The thing with Kongs is to make it a challenge to get the food out. This is best done by freezing it once you have filled it up with various fillings. You could try a mixture of cottage cheese or yoghurt, mashed veges, sardines etc - just mash it all together and fill the kong and freeze. Peanut butter around the opening makes it tasty and appealing - I would not give him too much of that though. If you google "kong fillings" you will find plenty of ideas. He sounds a good boy and I am sure he will settle in happily with plenty of structure and consistency. He just wants to feel secure and once he is confident that he is safe I am sure he will be fine. Good luck

[knitmehappy]

He is on Canidae dry food, the same brand as he was on in the shelter.I was going to transition him to a more natural diet but then he got sick and his tummy has been a bit sensitive since so I will just keep him on that for a while I think. I plan to feed mostly raw, with some dry food occasionally. i feed my cat only raw as she is allergic to preservatives so I'm used to preparing a couple of weeks worth of meat meals and freezing them (even though Im a vegetarian, what we do for our pets lol)

His coat looks....not great, he could have a bit of shine I think. I think he needs some egg or sardines or something, so maybe next week I will start trying him with a little bit of those and see if he tolerates it. I need to get some ideas on making sure he has a complete diet, so will check out the other forums.

[garnali]

Hi Jackie,

Welcome and thank you for sharing your concerns...

As a foster care many of the dogs have 'attached' to me and I find this both comforting and frustrating.. Seems that the first person to show them love and affection becomes their primary person and they exclude all others.

I've dealt with it in many ways depending on the dog. One way was to have another person feed and give treats.. That way the 'care' was shared between the humans and they acknowledge that even the little people in the house are higher up in hierarchy than them. They will start to look at all humans with a respect and anticipation of good things to come.

I also get other people to take the dogs on walks & participate in the training.. again a respect and trust bonding time..

If you have an off leash park that is securely fenced try and find a time when there are less people there.. Those that visit during the weekdays will often be a good source of information for socialising. Even check the park on your own a few times and ask if there is someone who is willing to have their dog play with yours..

Obedience training will reinforce all of the things you are currently doing and will be a great benefit for you all.

Keep up the good work and he is very lucky to have you..

[Sheridan]

Completely off topic but there's a shelter that can afford to feed Canidae?

[Her Majesty Dogmad]

Sheridan, there are companies out there that donate food to animal shelters. Otherwise I'm sure they could not afford Canidae. I used Canidae last year that was getting close to it's use by date, for a discount to my rescue group. There's no way I would be able to afford to buy it otherwise.

Rescuers and shelters do it tough financially. Any donated food is gratefully accepted but I can assure you, there is never enough to cover all the needs. We all pay for it ourselves generally.

Edited May 22, 2012 by dogmad

[Clyde]

Thanks for your replies, funnily enough while i have been reading this I've been ignoring him and he has been much calmer, and lying on the floor at my feet. I'm going to be a bit more 'structured' with my ignoring from now I think. i have been trying to make leaving and coming home low key, but will set up some strict routines along the lines of your advice.

I've had a needy dog before, he was also very dominant. I implemented NILIF * and it helped enormously.

Either way it certainly sounds like you have are very aware, he is very lucky to have found such a caring, switched on owner.

*rushing out so can't find direct link but if you go to http://www.k9pro.com.au/#t you should find more info on NILIF.

[knitmehappy]

Completely off topic but there's a shelter that can afford to feed Canidae?

I wondered that too. I presume they get a deal or donations. The shelter recommended dogfood.com.au I'm wondering if the company gets some free recs too from adoptions? Tbh it wouldn't be my first choice as its imported from the us but I'm happy with it for now. But, yeah, I'm pretty sure the shelter woukdnt be paying full price!! That stuff is exxy.

[knitmehappy]

Thanks for your replies, funnily enough while i have been reading this I've been ignoring him and he has been much calmer, and lying on the floor at my feet. I'm going to be a bit more 'structured' with my ignoring from now I think. i have been trying to make leaving and coming home low key, but will set up some strict routines along the lines of your advice.

I've had a needy dog before, he was also very dominant. I implemented NILIF * and it helped enormously.

Either way it certainly sounds like you have are very aware, he is very lucky to have found such a caring, switched on owner.

*rushing out so can't find direct link but if you go to http://www.k9pro.com.au/#t you should find more info on NILIF.

I've been doing something similar, but I suspect I'm not consistent enough. Can be a bit soft at times. Must be consistent!!!

[Little Gifts]

My wonderful rescue group (one broke person really) gives us candidae or Blackhawk Holistic for our foster kids. I've never checked use by dates but I hope she gets it discounted! My current boy was malnourished and was eating every couple of hours. He had reduced down to 2 feeds a day but at present is back up to 3. I let his behaviours guide me on how hungry he is feeling as he can still put on a little more weight. I give him greek yoghurt or sardines on top of his cup of kibble. I find he is much more settled when he is getting the food his body needs so maybe increase Buddy's intake for a while and see how he goes? My other dogs get 2 meals a day but breakfast is really just a snack - they like the routine of brekky and dinner so we humour them! Oh and we always use PB to get tablets eaten!

[Guest donatella]

You could also give Buddy raw egg, raw chicken wings/drumsticks (or the equivalent for larger dogs), tuna in spring water, sardines. All yummy foods good for their insides and out. I rotate the above for variety and coupled with my premium kibble it keeps my girl at a healthy weight with a gorgeous full coat

[knitmehappy]

So I've been less soft today. He knows what 'out' means but I am guilty of allowing him just back up a few steps instead of leaving the room. I made him leave my workroom this morning and stay outside the door. For one thing it's too small for a 30kg Labrador and myself,and also unsafe with a hot iron and my sewing machines. He has been quite happily snoozing in a sunbeam near the front door. He has left the cat alone, stayed out of the kitchen and hasn't even tried to sample the treats in the kitty litter. He had a short playdate with my friends lab this morning. Normally I dogsit a couple of days a week while my friend works but haven't since getting buddy. Am going to build up the time they spend together so I can leave them unsupervised for a bit. At the moment they are completely insane while together, they look like 2 hippos wrestling. They do have quiet periods too do hopefully they will calm down together lol. I will trial walking them together by myself this weekend, I think Iight need backup for that the first time. But if he has a dog friend over regularly I hope he transfers some of his affection to his friend :)

[knitmehappy]

Here are some photos. Is he too lean? His legs are extremely long, so he looks leaner than other labs (we think he has some kelpie in him) but I think he is skinnier than when he arrived. At that time the vet said he was just right.

[knitmehappy]

another one. look at those legs! a lady in the park asked if he was crossed with a kangaroo lol.

[RuralPug]

He doesn't look grossly underweight in those photos, although the lack of flesh on his forelegs makes me wonder if there is some sighthound (grey maybe?) in his ancestry - sighthounds do actually look thin to many eyes when they are at an ideal weight as they have the first couple of ribs visible. Not that I would recommend having any ribs visible on this boy!

It is hard to judge from a photo but I would be more concerned that you feel that his coat could be shinier - skin and coat are the best guides to whether or not a dog is getting the best diet for it.

I would slowly move him onto a mostly raw diet as you intended to do and then reassess. Personally I prefer to feed twice a day rather than once a day for adult dogs, but dogs are fairly adaptable and people need to do what works best for their household.