Guest guest Posted July 5, 2012 Report Share Posted July 5, 2012 Hi Indy, Yes, this is what we did and it worked well - I gave my father instructions for his visit and I do have another friend who may be willing to come over and try it, too. I'm trying to start w/ "dog" people first, so that they don't come in and get scared. I really hope we can work this out of her b/c she has bonded to us and I can see in her eyes that she is basically a good soul. In retrospect, if I had to do it again, I wouldn't have picked this dog (too many issues, plus too rambunctious for my petite DD), but I feel that since she has bonded to us that we need to at least try. And, a lot of the rambunctiousness may be outgrown in time as she gets older. But this wasn't a great dog for a family with small kids. Maybe teens who can handle rough play. Oh well - Donna Subject: Re: Dog UpdateTo: exercisevideos Date: Thursday, July 5, 2012, 6:13 PM If your Mom is willing, a way to get a fearful dog to like strangers better is:Have a stranger sitting down (less intimidating)Have the stranger totally ignore (or appear to) the dog.NEVER make eye contactand casually toss treats in the direction of the dog.Towering over the dog and eye contact are "scary" things. Turning your head away is a "calming" technique. The treats are make the dog re-think the situation -- "Hmm.. strangers aren't so scary as I thought and they bring good things...maybe I should welcome them!"Any other "strangers" willing to work with you would be good, too!You can train it out -- but it take a lot of effort!Indyrose,who has played the stranger many times!>> Hi -> > Don't mean to bother you with this - but a ray of hope! Today my mom came over and other than a little bit of barking/'growling all was well. What I did this time was, I had Luna in her crate when my mom arrived - then, once she was settled in, I released Luna from her crate - she did bark and growl and run away, but eventually settled down and allowed my mom to pet her. Then, me, my mom and DD left to go to the movies (Brave) and when we got back there were no issues at all. So, maybe she remembers my mom and is comfortable with her. I also think the crate approach worked well. My trick now is to learn how to manage other guests and drop in guests. My father is visiting this weekend, so we shall see how that pans out. I hope well. Fingers crossed.> > Donna> Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted July 5, 2012 Report Share Posted July 5, 2012 Yeah I think as Carolyn well stated, patience, consistency, routine, positive reinforcement with treats and lots of exercise will do the wuffer lots of good! I have hope for Luna from what youv'e said! It sounds like she's been in several homes and needs to know that for sure she's in her Forever Home now. Dogs need lots of love and discipline. The rewards are of course, no one loves you like your dog! i bet after lotsa walks (take her on the 2 hour walk with your friend?) you two will be inseparable and some of her anxieties will lessen!Hugs Hi Indy, Yes, this is what we did and it worked well - I gave my father instructions for his visit and I do have another friend who may be willing to come over and try it, too. I'm trying to start w/ " dog " people first, so that they don't come in and get scared. I really hope we can work this out of her b/c she has bonded to us and I can see in her eyes that she is basically a good soul. In retrospect, if I had to do it again, I wouldn't have picked this dog (too many issues, plus too rambunctious for my petite DD), but I feel that since she has bonded to us that we need to at least try. And, a lot of the rambunctiousness may be outgrown in time as she gets older. But this wasn't a great dog for a family with small kids. Maybe teens who can handle rough play. Oh well - Donna Subject: Re: Dog UpdateTo: exercisevideos Date: Thursday, July 5, 2012, 6:13 PM If your Mom is willing, a way to get a fearful dog to like strangers better is:Have a stranger sitting down (less intimidating)Have the stranger totally ignore (or appear to) the dog.NEVER make eye contact and casually toss treats in the direction of the dog.Towering over the dog and eye contact are " scary " things. Turning your head away is a " calming " technique. The treats are make the dog re-think the situation -- " Hmm.. strangers aren't so scary as I thought and they bring good things...maybe I should welcome them! " Any other " strangers " willing to work with you would be good, too!You can train it out -- but it take a lot of effort!Indyrose,who has played the stranger many times!>> Hi -> > Don't mean to bother you with this - but a ray of hope! Today my mom came over and other than a little bit of barking/'growling all was well. What I did this time was, I had Luna in her crate when my mom arrived - then, once she was settled in, I released Luna from her crate - she did bark and growl and run away, but eventually settled down and allowed my mom to pet her. Then, me, my mom and DD left to go to the movies (Brave) and when we got back there were no issues at all. So, maybe she remembers my mom and is comfortable with her. I also think the crate approach worked well. My trick now is to learn how to manage other guests and drop in guests. My father is visiting this weekend, so we shall see how that pans out. I hope well. Fingers crossed. > > Donna> Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted July 6, 2012 Report Share Posted July 6, 2012 Hi!Yes, I hope to get her to the point where I can take her on long walks - right now the way she is w/ other dogs/people, I'm kind of worried. I'm hoping the trainer can help us get her straightened out. Take care!Donna Subject: Re: Dog UpdateTo: exercisevideos Date: Thursday, July 5, 2012, 6:13 PM If your Mom is willing, a way to get a fearful dog to like strangers better is:Have a stranger sitting down (less intimidating)Have the stranger totally ignore (or appear to) the dog.NEVER make eye contactand casually toss treats in the direction of the dog.Towering over the dog and eye contact are "scary" things. Turning your head away is a "calming" technique. The treats are make the dog re-think the situation -- "Hmm.. strangers aren't so scary as I thought and they bring good things...maybe I should welcome them!"Any other "strangers" willing to work with you would be good, too!You can train it out -- but it take a lot of effort!Indyrose,who has played the stranger many times!>> Hi -> > Don't mean to bother you with this - but a ray of hope! Today my mom came over and other than a little bit of barking/'growling all was well. What I did this time was, I had Luna in her crate when my mom arrived - then, once she was settled in, I released Luna from her crate - she did bark and growl and run away, but eventually settled down and allowed my mom to pet her. Then, me, my mom and DD left to go to the movies (Brave) and when we got back there were no issues at all. So, maybe she remembers my mom and is comfortable with her. I also think the crate approach worked well. My trick now is to learn how to manage other guests and drop in guests. My father is visiting this weekend, so we shall see how that pans out. I hope well. Fingers crossed.> > Donna> Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted July 10, 2012 Report Share Posted July 10, 2012 Oh Indy I'm so sorry... Goldens are the nicest dogs I've ever known, truly gentle, sensitive souls. Hugs. Sometimes the right decision hurts, even when it's right. We just put our 12-year old Golden down today, after a long health battle. Even though we knew it was right, and he had a long good life, it still hurts a lot. Indyrose > > Hi Everyone, > > Well, we finally reached the conclusion to return the dog to the rescue. Long story short, I don't think I could ever get to the point where I could feel comfortable with the dog around other people and especially kids. I'm sad, but I think this was the right decision for our family. > > I hope to get back to working out soon. > > Donna > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted July 10, 2012 Report Share Posted July 10, 2012 Thanks, Indy. I'm sorry about your Golden. I have decided when I'm ready to adopt again to look at Goldens - they are good family dogs and that is what we need. I feel we are doing the right thing - I don't think we have the time it will take to make it right. Donna Sometimes the right decision hurts, even when it's right. We just put our 12-year old Golden down today, after a long health battle. Even though we knew it was right, and he had a long good life, it still hurts a lot. Indyrose>> Hi Everyone,> > Well, we finally reached the conclusion to return the dog to the rescue. Long story short, I don't think I could ever get to the point where I could feel comfortable with the dog around other people and especially kids. I'm sad, but I think this was the right decision for our family.> > I hope to get back to working out soon.> > Donna> Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted July 10, 2012 Report Share Posted July 10, 2012 Sometimes the right decision hurts, even when it's right. We just put our 12-year old Golden down today, after a long health battle. Even though we knew it was right, and he had a long good life, it still hurts a lot. I'm so sorry Indyrose. It hurts no matter what, that's for sure. ((HUGS)) `* ¸*´¸.•´ ¸.•*¨)¸.•*¨)(¸.•´(¸.• (¸.•´¸¸.•¨¯`•.¸¸ Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted July 11, 2012 Report Share Posted July 11, 2012 Just jumping in for a sec (computer was down for an entire week, had to get a new one) and wanted to just say ditto to what Ronda said for both of you. HUGS too! Re: Dog Update Donna Nd Indy,I'm very sorry to hear about losing your dogs. Both ways of losing them are very difficult, and I hope you both have peace about your decisions, which were for the best.Ronda> >> > Hi Everyone,> > > > Well, we finally reached the conclusion to return the dog to the rescue. Long story short, I don't think I could ever get to the point where I could feel comfortable with the dog around other people and especially kids. I'm sad, but I think this was the right decision for our family.> > > > I hope to get back to working out soon.> > > > Donna> >> Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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