Need Advice About Potentially Giving A Home To A Rescue

[Isabel964]

Hey guys, need your advice.

A family member is thinking of adopting a 1-2year old female dog from a shelter. She went to meet the dog, looks to be a kelpie x blue heeler. She is an experienced dog owner, current dog is a 13 year old confident kelpie.

The shelter dog was handed in by a woman who said it was a stray. It is not chipped, not desexed. She puts her tail I between her legs, has no interest in interacting with humans as observed when time was spen with her ( ie she doesn't respond at all to be called, it's as if she is deaf though she is not), but she is interested in toys. She shows no sign of aggression.

Question is; the family member is 60+. She is used to a confident dog. She has alot of patience but it is not endless. But she wants to know that with effort and time and patience, can such a dog regain confidence such that it will be a good guard dog? She lives on her own and feels she needs a guard dog and not a dog that will cower and hide when tradesmen come to visit. She wants a dig that will bark when someone comes on the propery through the front gate. When the older dog goes to the rainbow bridge, can such a dog be ok as the only dog. The owner is retired and home most of the time but does go shopping, painting classes, exercise classes etc.

Anything to check or be aware of ...or to consider before adopting this girl?

Do you think it's a suitable match?

Thanks for your advice - its a big decision,

[Salukifan]

Question is; the family member is 60+. She is used to a confident dog. She has alot of patience but it is not endless. But she wants to know that with effort and time and patience, can such a dog regain confidence such that it will be a good guard dog? She lives on her own and feels she needs a guard dog and not a dog that will cower and hide when tradesmen come to visit. She wants a dig that will bark when someone comes on the propery through the front gate. When the older dog goes to the rainbow bridge, can such a dog be ok as the only dog. The owner is retired and home most of the time but does go shopping, painting classes, exercise classes etc.

Anything to check or be aware of ...or to consider before adopting this girl?

Do you think it's a suitable match?

Thanks for your advice - its a big decision,

Who knows? It could be the dog's temperament to be shy, it could be overwhelmed in the shelter or the dog could be completely unsocialised and fearful of strangers for life. No amount of effort and patience is going to turn an unsocialised or timid dog into a 'guard dog'. If all she wants is a dog that will bark its head off when strangers come, she has some chance but it's not a sure thing.

Personally I don't recommend that anyone who's not good at reading dog behaviour adopt a dog from a shelter. A rescue dog in foster care that's been temperament tested by someone who knows what they're doing is a much better bet.

She also needs to know what this dog is like with other dogs. There's an older dog's quality of life at risk here.

Edited May 29, 2012 by Haredown Whippets

[persephone]

From this side of the screen- I would suggest looking for a foster dog ....

This girl may never gain in confidence around people, which may show as fear aggression under pressure. NOT what anyone wants :(

As said, the rescue dog does need to be thoroughly checked for her attitude to other dogs !!

Is the old dog OK with other dogs on its territory?

Is it actually fair to the old dog to introduce an unstable totally unknown dog into the mix? Does the old dog want to have to assert itself ..to share , to be annoyed with a young dog wanting to play???

Edited May 29, 2012 by persephone

[Cosmolo]

Prognosis for such issues vary from dog to dog. But i think it unlikely that such a dog would become a confident 'guard' type dog. Dogs like this often grow in confidence in certain contexts but revert to the feelings of fear and anxiety when the context changes.

I have a dog here adopted from a shelter at 12 months old with serious fear based issues (no aggression). We have had her for 5 1/2 years. She will never be normal and she will never enjoy the same kind of life that our other dogs can. Rehabilitating dogs with serious fear based issues is not to be taken lightly- it is very involved and sometimes not terribly rewarding.. Is this dog's fear serious? Who knows. If the family member really wants the dog, get it assessed by a professional first.

Edited May 29, 2012 by Cosmolo

[Her Majesty Dogmad]

Personally I don't consider this a good fit. The nervous dog would probably always benefit from having a more confident dog to follow. She may improve considerably, she may not but the second dog is likely to be a crucial influence so if the other dog is already 13, I would not make this match.

The older lady knows what she wants from a dog and I don't believe this dog will be able to provide that, no matter what.

There are so many dogs in need of a lovely home, I think this lady should pick a more outgoing dog but not to the point that it ruins things for the 13 yr old dog. The old dog deserves to be happy for the rest of it's natural life, not bullied or harassed.

Edited May 29, 2012 by dogmad

[megan_]

What cosmolo said. I adopted a severely fearful dog and it is not something I would ever do again, as much as I love her. She is an excellent watch dog (which seems to be what your aunt is after? Not an actual guard dog) but due to her anxiety she has also had a go at guests that I have welcomed into my house. It takes a lot of work go manage a fear aggressive fog (and she never showed any aggression when I got her).

There are plenty of well adjusted dogs living in foster homes that woul suit you Aunt's needs.

[persephone]

reading your post again....

presumed a stray

shows no reaction when called

was not seen to willingly interact with people....

not sure how she was judged entire....but could be pregnant...

vacc status unknown ..may be a carrier of who knows what bug

not a good resume, really.....

[schnauzer]

Prognosis for such issues vary from dog to dog. But i think it unlikely that such a dog would become a confident 'guard' type dog. Dogs like this often grow in confidence in certain contexts but revert to the feelings of fear and anxiety when the context changes.

I have a dog here adopted from a shelter at 12 months old with serious fear based issues (no aggression). We have had her for 5 1/2 years. She will never be normal and she will never enjoy the same kind of life that our other dogs can. Rehabilitating dogs with serious fear based issues is not to be taken lightly- it is very involved and sometimes not terribly rewarding.. Is this dog's fear serious? Who knows. If the family member really wants the dog, get it assessed by a professional first.

This is really interesting. I have a rescue girl that was a fear biter/serious issues. She was not rehomeable so she stayed. She followed my very stable dog and mimicked his behaviour. She is very confident in her own home and would guard it with her life. She now lives a "normal" life but is very much a one person dog. IMO fear based dogs are for the experienced rescuers. Suggestions of a foster dog seem more appropriate for this person.

[nawnim]

...

Edited May 31, 2012 by padraic

[Nic.B]

I would also suggest a reputable rescue group under the circumstances.

Just wanted to add that not coming when called is not unusual in a shelter environment IME We dont know the dogs name and she may not have formed a bond with anyone at the shelter. High value food rewards are often great to grab their attention or as you have already said perhaps a toy.

Being distracted, particularly in the first few minuites is also common as they often check out the environment where multiple dogs have already been taken. Pound/shelter environments are often stressful for dogs.

Working breeds can be more sensative to movement, sights and sounds in a shelter environment.

Knowing how she interacts with other dogs is crucial, esspecially as this ladies other dog is a senior, there are also disease risks associated.

The issues identified may be just as they are though.

ETA something else to take into consideration is how long she has been at the shelter. Dogs are often highly stressed during the first two or three days. Depending on what positive interaction she has had inside or out of her pen also has an impact.

Dogs who have had time to unravel, with positive interaction most often develop confidence and feel more settled.

Edited May 29, 2012 by Nic.B

[juice]

One of my foster was a 5 month old cattle pup who was so scared in the pound he would wet himself if you went near him.

As soon as he got home he was a different dog.( bit of a terror!)

Working breeds don't do well in the pound.

I would be more concerned about how the kelpie went with the current dog, have they met? is the new dog male?

Can she return it if it doesn't work out?

Personally i wouldn't right it off, just see how the kelpie is around other dogs first.

[Isabel964]

Thanks for all your advice, some excellent points.

The well being of the older dog is also of course of prime concern.

If anyone knows of good foster homes in Perth....north of Perth would be good, suburbs like Joondalip, Wanneroo etc let me know. I think the foster dog suggestion is a good one. An older woman does not need a problem dog, even though sheis healthy and active. She is a wonderful dog owner, lots of walks and exercise etc.

[juice]

Have a look on Petrescue, the dogs there are in foster homes in all states.

If they are a good rescue they will housecheck her, and make sure the dog is a good fit.

She should get good backup and advice, the working dog rescue's also have their dogs in foster care if she is after a kelpie type.

[Cheyd]

Here is a link to Petrescue's directory for WA

http://www.petrescue.com.au/rescue_directory/wa

[Purdie]

In this situation i would say not a good idea at all.The dog is not interested in people.My guess would be he would try to escape again by digging or jumping the fence.

This person needs a calm steady dog they can form a bond with quickly and has had some basic training.I agree with one from foster care where the temperament is known.

An older 3 years + Labradore or Golden retriever ;They will bark at the gate and are big enough to deter strangers.

[Isabel964]

She has decided not to take this dog on. I will forward her the link to Pet Rescue. She is not in a hurry. She is in two minds, she'd like a young dog to learn the ropes of her fantastic and dearly loved kelpie (13) but she also doesn't want to upset her kelpie with a young dog, so she says it has to be right. If she finds the rightt dog, ok but if not, that's ok too. Abd yes he would make sure her current dog met the potential dog before taking it on. Her current dog is incredibly important to her. Thanks again for all your advice.

Edited May 30, 2012 by Sky

[westiemum]

I agree and my head says that a reputable rescue group who can help her match a dog to her circumstances is the way to go.

Having said that I feel sorry for th pound dog. I have a young westie who was frightened of his own shadow when I got him from that infamous puppy farm - didn't know his name, behaved like a deafy, tail always down, terrified of visitors, men in particular, hated grass under his paws, no idea how to eat from a bowl never walked on a lead... You get the picture. Two years down the track, he's the family alert barker, his tails up he still learns very quickly from the older westies, is bright and everyone wants him.now! (roll eyes!). He's still wary of strangers and dark haired men in particular but he's come such a long way - was offered money for him a few weeks back. He's completely unrecognisable as the terribly afraid little boy of two years ago - in some ways it's sad this pound dog can't at least be given a trial with experienced dog people. But before anyone jumps down my throat yes I reccognise an elderly owner would probably not be wise. :)

Edited May 30, 2012 by westiemum

[Boronia]

I agree and my head says that a reputable rescue group who can help her match a dog to her circumstances is the way to go.

Having said that I feel sorry for th pound dog. I have a young westie who was frightened of his own shadow when I got him from that infamous puppy farm - didn't know his name, behaved like a deafy, tail always down, terrified of visitors, men in particular, hated grass under his paws, no idea how to eat from a bowl never walked on a lead... You get the picture. Two years down the track, he's the family alert barker, his tails up he still learns very quickly from the older westies, is bright and everyone wants him.now! (roll eyes!). He's still wary of strangers and dark haired men in particular but he's come such a long way - was offered money for him a few weeks back. He's completely unrecognisable as the terribly afraid little boy of two years ago - in some ways it's sad this pound dog can't at least be given a trial with experienced dog people. But before anyone jumps down my throat yes I reccognise an elderly owner would probably not be wise. :)

Oi Westiemum...I am 60 and could run rings round those fat 20 year-olds I see pushing trolleys of chips, coke and biscuits at the local IGA :laugh:

[Clyde]

Oi Westiemum...I am 60 and could run rings round those fat 20 year-olds I see pushing trolleys of chips, coke and biscuits at the local IGA :laugh:

Friends of mine are currently looking for the right dog and they are pushing 80 and probably fitter than I am! They walk every day, spend a lot of time gardening on their property and have certainly opened my eyes not to write people off because of age. Other friends (I live in a community with older people so have started to hang out with them :laugh: ) are in their 70's and have just bought a one year old Dane. She runs them ragged but they keep up well as they are so fit and active. You wouldn't guess either of them are their true age.

[Her Majesty Dogmad]

I've just rehomed an 11 yr old (of a long lived breed) to a couple in their early 70s, the wife looks much younger whilst the husband does have a stick. They both walk everywhere and take the dog with them which is ideal for the little girl i rescued.

Their main concern was that their next pet should not outlive them - i found that so refreshing, especially since I regularly come across dogs under 2 yrs of age that urgently need a home because their 70 or 80 something owner is ill or has had to go into a nursing home and family doesn't want the dog, if there is any family ...