unicorn_magic Posted June 25, 2016 Share Posted June 25, 2016 Hello :) Yesterday we privately adopted a dane, who is said to be almost 3yo. Owner said she was ok with kids, other dogs and cats. I have had danes before, but not one that is timid and displays signs of fear. I've worked with dogs in boarding, pounds and grooming too, so am after some advice about the fear signs she has shown so far and if I should be extra concerned or if under the new environment they are normal and will subside... When my husband brought her home last night, it was dark and very windy, so as well as being taken away from her people, that probably also put her on edge understandably. She has been very timid, I've tried to put her at ease and she seems to have bonded with me so far, she will come to me now and rest beside me/sit on me. She seems ok with my 3 children now too, although will still keep an eye on them and startle if they make a noise she isn't expecting. After about 10mins the first time she saw them she let out a low growl. I know she is uncomfortable with her new strange surroundings and they are strangers to her so do not see it as an aggression growl, more a fearful growl. We have 2 cats, today she has seen both of them, at first was extremely alarmed, growled and hackles went up and bolted but then stayed still and eventually calmed as they went away. That continued. The cats have come about a metre from her now, I haven't heard more growling to the cats only hackles up if she gets startled from not realising they were near. We have an Aussie bulldog too, didn't introduce them last night in the dark, but since she was in the laundry overnight, they could smell/hear each other under the door overnight and were barking at each other. Today I put our bulldog in a fenced area in our yard (not common ground since it's in our yard but he has not been in the enclosure before so was hoping that might help) So basically all day we have been trying to coax her into the yard to meet him, getting her used to different parts of the yard. She will eventually get more relaxed in certain areas and even layed down on me and napped while he was only a few metres away, but always gets startled and runs back to the laundry (her safe spot since she slept there I assume) then slowly creeps out again. Then she started barking/growling at the bulldog, hackles up, runs back to her retreat spot, then came out a little (still 8 metres from bulldog) barking/growling/hackles up, lunged forward dug her feet in a little at which point I stepped in to stop them. She retreated to the laundry again and seen my son through the laundry on the other side of the garage and started her low growling at him (my fault - he should not have been there! I know this is alot of new for her and should be limiting it more. I guess I wasn't expecting her to be so afraid) She is extremely timid, but how much of it is her new environment and is it likely to be an ongoing problem with our children/cats/dog in the long run? Should I continue to try and get her used to the backyard/bulldog or just keep her in the laundry for awhile? looking forward to hearing any advice! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sas Posted June 25, 2016 Share Posted June 25, 2016 (edited) As the past President of Great Dane Rescue, my recommendation is for you to return the dog - we would never allow such a dog to be rehomed, it would be rehabbed or deemed not suitable for rehoming via professional assessment - after all, this isn't a small dog, it's a giant breed so when it decides to use aggression or its weight there will be much more damage. We see so many weak nerved Danes these days that end in fear aggression. They struggle so much with change. My prediction is she will bond fast to you and strongly and that's not a good thing because you'll be dealing with seperation anxiety next. I would also be questioning the dogs early socialisation and how often it has been out in its previous home - this is not a breed to leave in the backyard, they need ongoing socialisation to the environment. My person opinion is that they are not an outside dog or sleep outside in the laundry dog, they are a sensitive companion dog. If you do not want to return the dog then I would recommend you get in a Behaviourist within the next few days to assess the dog and put a program together for you to work with - this dog is going to be a lot of work and your whole family need to be honest about whether you're prepared to put in the work - if you're not, there's no shame, you didn't knowingly adopt this temperament. Edited June 25, 2016 by sas Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
unicorn_magic Posted June 25, 2016 Author Share Posted June 25, 2016 thanks so much for your reply and advice! Yes very true, I feel I'm bonding fast to her too, she is so sweet with the fear aside and it's been 9 yrs since I've had a big loving dane snuggle up on my lap, I've missed it so! I feel bad for her! I will contact the owners and see what they say, I know that their living arrangements didn't allow them to keep her anymore though. Can I suggest any rescues to them if they can not take her back? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Spotted Devil Posted June 25, 2016 Share Posted June 25, 2016 As someone with no Dane experience but plenty of dog behaviour knowledge and experience I agree with sas. Either return the dog or consult with a behaviourist asap. I'm sorry it's turned out like this - very unfortunate. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sas Posted June 25, 2016 Share Posted June 25, 2016 (edited) thanks so much for your reply and advice! Yes very true, I feel I'm bonding fast to her too, she is so sweet with the fear aside and it's been 9 yrs since I've had a big loving dane snuggle up on my lap, I've missed it so! I feel bad for her! I will contact the owners and see what they say, I know that their living arrangements didn't allow them to keep her anymore though. Can I suggest any rescues to them if they can not take her back? Great Dane Rescues can be somewhat hesitant to take such a dog for a variety of reasons - what I used to do in these instances was send out a Behaviourist to assess the dog but really, I wouldn't give the owners a choice, it would simply be the dog is coming back today and if you don't take it, it will be tied to your door (harsh I know) but you were given an unsuitable dog. Edited June 25, 2016 by sas Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Willem Posted June 26, 2016 Share Posted June 26, 2016 (edited) Hello :) Yesterday we privately adopted a dane, who is said to be almost 3yo. Owner said she was ok with kids, other dogs and cats. I have had danes before, but not one that is timid and displays signs of fear. I've worked with dogs in boarding, pounds and grooming too, so am after some advice about the fear signs she has shown so far and if I should be extra concerned or if under the new environment they are normal and will subside... When my husband brought her home last night, it was dark and very windy, so as well as being taken away from her people, that probably also put her on edge understandably. She has been very timid, I've tried to put her at ease and she seems to have bonded with me so far, she will come to me now and rest beside me/sit on me. She seems ok with my 3 children now too, although will still keep an eye on them and startle if they make a noise she isn't expecting. After about 10mins the first time she saw them she let out a low growl. I know she is uncomfortable with her new strange surroundings and they are strangers to her so do not see it as an aggression growl, more a fearful growl. We have 2 cats, today she has seen both of them, at first was extremely alarmed, growled and hackles went up and bolted but then stayed still and eventually calmed as they went away. That continued. The cats have come about a metre from her now, I haven't heard more growling to the cats only hackles up if she gets startled from not realising they were near. We have an Aussie bulldog too, didn't introduce them last night in the dark, but since she was in the laundry overnight, they could smell/hear each other under the door overnight and were barking at each other. Today I put our bulldog in a fenced area in our yard (not common ground since it's in our yard but he has not been in the enclosure before so was hoping that might help) So basically all day we have been trying to coax her into the yard to meet him, getting her used to different parts of the yard. She will eventually get more relaxed in certain areas and even layed down on me and napped while he was only a few metres away, but always gets startled and runs back to the laundry (her safe spot since she slept there I assume) then slowly creeps out again. Then she started barking/growling at the bulldog, hackles up, runs back to her retreat spot, then came out a little (still 8 metres from bulldog) barking/growling/hackles up, lunged forward dug her feet in a little at which point I stepped in to stop them. She retreated to the laundry again and seen my son through the laundry on the other side of the garage and started her low growling at him (my fault - he should not have been there! I know this is alot of new for her and should be limiting it more. I guess I wasn't expecting her to be so afraid) She is extremely timid, but how much of it is her new environment and is it likely to be an ongoing problem with our children/cats/dog in the long run? Should I continue to try and get her used to the backyard/bulldog or just keep her in the laundry for awhile? looking forward to hearing any advice! what I don't understand is: you have another dog, you have 3 kids etc....wouldn't you take your kids and your dog on a walk with the other dog you envisage to adopt, allow for some play and socialisation time to see how they get along or whether there are some issues recognizable?...even a car you would take for a test drive before you buy it... it is not a substitution for the socialisation with the new home, but it will give valuable clues whether to proceed with the adoption or not. ...I also would give a new dog a little bit more time to settle in and adjust to the new environment before I would allow myself a final verdict. Eta: I worte 'what I understand' ....forgot the 'don't'... Edited June 26, 2016 by Willem Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest crazydoglady99 Posted June 26, 2016 Share Posted June 26, 2016 When I was reading this my first thought was a) ring the rescue, ask them to come and see her behaviour. Any reputable rescue would be concerned about her and possibly want her returned to them. b) return the dog. She is waaaayy over threshold and it won't take much to escalate. She's probably feeling mighty uphappy. Sounds like it simply isn't a good match. Not your fault in anyway, I think you've done brilliantly to try and manage it. Good luck. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
unicorn_magic Posted June 26, 2016 Author Share Posted June 26, 2016 what I don't understand is: you have another dog, you have 3 kids etc....wouldn't you take your kids and your dog on a walk with the other dog you envisage to adopt, allow for some play and socialisation time to see how they get along or whether there are some issues recognizable?...even a car you would take for a test drive before you buy it... it is not a substitution for the socialisation with the new home, but it will give valuable clues whether to proceed with the adoption or not. ...I also would give a new dog a little bit more time to settle in and adjust to the new environment before I would allow myself a final verdict. Eta: I worte 'what I understand' ....forgot the 'don't'... ideally yes, but she was a fair drive away from us, I was too keen and did not want to miss the chance to adopt her and took the owner saying she is ok with kids, cats, dogs and birds without knowing there would be so much timidness. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest crazydoglady99 Posted June 26, 2016 Share Posted June 26, 2016 (edited) Whoops we posted at the same time. Edited June 26, 2016 by crazydoglady99 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
unicorn_magic Posted June 26, 2016 Author Share Posted June 26, 2016 When I was reading this my first thought was a) ring the rescue, ask them to come and see her behaviour. Any reputable rescue would be concerned about her and possibly want her returned to them. b) return the dog. She is waaaayy over threshold and it won't take much to escalate. She's probably feeling mighty uphappy. Sounds like it simply isn't a good match. Not your fault in anyway, I think you've done brilliantly to try and manage it. Good luck. Thankyou :) it was a private rehoming, but we will call the owners tomorrow and see what they say. She is a little more relaxed in the garage/laundry and with me today (aside from all the howling when I'm not near her. I seen her tail almost wag for the first time, it's usually between her legs), but she still startles at everything and will not go out into the backyard at all. Such a shame, our bulldog would love to play with her and have a friend. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
unicorn_magic Posted June 26, 2016 Author Share Posted June 26, 2016 Have you had a chance to talk to the previous foster carer/ owner etc? my email to the owner hasn't had a reply today, but will call tomorrow.. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest crazydoglady99 Posted June 26, 2016 Share Posted June 26, 2016 Gee I hope you haven't been duped into taking a dog with major issues How stressful for everyone. I hope you find some sort of solution. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
unicorn_magic Posted June 26, 2016 Author Share Posted June 26, 2016 Gee I hope you haven't been duped into taking a dog with major issues How stressful for everyone. I hope you find some sort of solution. Thanks, my husband is worrying the same thing, he tried to ring and msg'd a little while ago. I'm sure we will hear back soon Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
megan_ Posted June 26, 2016 Share Posted June 26, 2016 Be prepared for them not to take her back. I'd be contacting Great Dane Rescue on follow their advice to the letter - heads need to rule over hearts in these cases. In the meantime, just give her space. Don't try to get her to socialise with the bulldog or the children. Let her be. It is hard when you have a fearful dog because you feel so sorry for them and they are often beautiful dogs underneath. I had a rescue mini schnauzer who had fear aggression - she was a beautiful dog who I loved very much but never, ever again would I take on a fearful dog. I should have returned her the day I got her - for her sake and mine. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
persephone Posted June 26, 2016 Share Posted June 26, 2016 Be prepared for them not to take her back. I'd be contacting Great Dane Rescue on follow their advice to the letter - heads need to rule over hearts in these cases. In the meantime, just give her space. Don't try to get her to socialise with the bulldog or the children. Let her be. It is hard when you have a fearful dog because you feel so sorry for them and they are often beautiful dogs underneath. I had a rescue mini schnauzer who had fear aggression - she was a beautiful dog who I loved very much but never, ever again would I take on a fearful dog. I should have returned her the day I got her - for her sake and mine. I also suggest G D rescue . They are the experts , and have seen it all before , sadly. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
unicorn_magic Posted June 27, 2016 Author Share Posted June 27, 2016 Be prepared for them not to take her back. I'd be contacting Great Dane Rescue on follow their advice to the letter - heads need to rule over hearts in these cases. In the meantime, just give her space. Don't try to get her to socialise with the bulldog or the children. Let her be. It is hard when you have a fearful dog because you feel so sorry for them and they are often beautiful dogs underneath. I had a rescue mini schnauzer who had fear aggression - she was a beautiful dog who I loved very much but never, ever again would I take on a fearful dog. I should have returned her the day I got her - for her sake and mine. thanks so much for your advice! Email, phonecall and text have still not been returned. I have the bulldog in the front yard today so she (the dane) can go from the garage/laundry into the backyard without worrying about him on her own - but she is still very nervous and pacing the backyard/garage frantically when she can't see me. She seems least nervous when I'm near yet still startling at everything (even me picking up the washing basket) poor thing! I will contact the great dane rescue today Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Danois Posted June 27, 2016 Share Posted June 27, 2016 No - you don't make the issue one for rescue as you did not get her through them. Sas has already given advice at the start of this thread and you will be hard pressed to find anyone more experienced in dane rescue than her. Call in a behaviorist but one experienced with danes. Where are you located? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest crazydoglady99 Posted June 27, 2016 Share Posted June 27, 2016 (edited) I feel for you. How crappy. Edited June 27, 2016 by crazydoglady99 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
unicorn_magic Posted June 27, 2016 Author Share Posted June 27, 2016 No - you don't make the issue one for rescue as you did not get her through them. Sas has already given advice at the start of this thread and you will be hard pressed to find anyone more experienced in dane rescue than her. Call in a behaviorist but one experienced with danes. Where are you located? OK, the owner just rang back and said they will not/can not take her back since they were about to be evicted for having her there in a rental that would not allow a big dog. So... what are we to do? We are on the central coast NSW, I have already sent a message to one dog trainer (John Gatt that I know of here on the coast) but have no reply. Is there another behaviorist anyone can recommend? The advice so far seems to be I should not keep this dog around my children and pets because of the fear she has shown. I'm worried, but I want the best for the dog. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Willem Posted June 27, 2016 Share Posted June 27, 2016 what I don't understand is: you have another dog, you have 3 kids etc....wouldn't you take your kids and your dog on a walk with the other dog you envisage to adopt, allow for some play and socialisation time to see how they get along or whether there are some issues recognizable?...even a car you would take for a test drive before you buy it... it is not a substitution for the socialisation with the new home, but it will give valuable clues whether to proceed with the adoption or not. ...I also would give a new dog a little bit more time to settle in and adjust to the new environment before I would allow myself a final verdict. Eta: I worte 'what I understand' ....forgot the 'don't'... ideally yes, but she was a fair drive away from us, I was too keen and did not want to miss the chance to adopt her and took the owner saying she is ok with kids, cats, dogs and birds without knowing there would be so much timidness. ...but you knew it was a Great Dane and not a toy poodle?...my sympathy for acting like that is pretty limited - that is just irresponsible. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Create an account or sign in to comment
You need to be a member in order to leave a comment
Create an account
Sign up for a new account in our community. It's easy!
Register a new accountSign in
Already have an account? Sign in here.
Sign In Now