Author Topic: old dog/new tricks (Read 4836 times)

Izzy · « **on:** September 27, 2010, 08:42:13 pm »

There seems to be lots of knowledgeable and helpful people here so maybe you can offer me some advice.

I work early shifts and as I am home for the afternoon I do a little dogwalking for officeworkers. A month ago I had a call from an elderly lady asking for help with her 2 dogs. I initially said I couldn't help which was true as I expect my hours at work are going to change and I will have to stop the dogwalking. She mentioned that she had just been bereaved, the funeral was to be on Monday..........well I was there within the hour. I couldn't not help either the dogs or the woman.

Now I'm regretting my softheartedness as I'm really in a pickle. I have taken the dogs for about 8 walks now and really don't want to still be doing this in a year's time. But to be honest my situation is as nothing to that of the owner. Let's call her Liz.

Liz is nearly 80. Four years ago she got these two rescue dogs - a greyhound bitch and greyhound cross neutered dog. She believes them to be 11 and 6 respectively but that I guess is guesswork. They are both greying but in temperament not elderly. I don't think that they have ever been walked properly every day in their current home. Liz has an agreement with a farmer who lets her let her dogs off the lead in his hay/silage fields for 20 mins twice a week. They are forgiven all transgressions on the basis that they are rescue dogs.

So in a nutshell - not enough exercise, not enough discipline and no socialisation. I have agreed with Liz that we will look at rehoming the dog in the next few months. I thought if I put a bit of time and effort into him he could learn some basics (not jumping up, not jumping out the car when the boot is opened) as I think he is eager for attention/affection/input. But he does have problems with other dogs ie aggression. Do you think I'm on a hiding to nothing?

Anyone else out there re-socialised a dog in later life?

BlueDaisy · « **Reply #1 on:** September 28, 2010, 09:06:27 am »

Oh dear, that's not the ideal situation to be in is it?
I take it the bitch is going to stay with the old lady?
If you ask around the dog training people in your area you may find they know of someone who rehabilitates older dogs and may be able to help in your situation.
We have one like that round here. I think it can be done but, it is a harder job with an older dog, if he is keen to please that is probably a good starting point.
Hope you get some help.

Izzy · « **Reply #2 on:** September 28, 2010, 09:41:00 am »

Thank you Bluedaisy for your kind words. Yes we think the bitch will be manageable on her own. I think he is desperate for affection as I suspect Liz favours the bitch. So as you say that means there is potential to help him behave better. It's not his fault. He has problems approaching other dogs and once teeth and hackles are shown the situation escalates, the other person and dog hurries away and he thinks his behaviour has worked - threat gone!

Today I will start finding out about dog classes. I think a private session first might be a good idea.

doganjo · « **Reply #3 on:** September 28, 2010, 11:58:23 am »

If he has aggression problems and it isn't fear based then you may have a problem re-homing him. Our Club has a rescue/rehoming service and we have had to take the ultimate decision on 2 occasions. But the decision is not yours to take. Aggression CAN be trained out, but it needs a professional who is experienced in this. You are doing a good job for this lady, good luck. I wish you well.

little blue · « **Reply #4 on:** September 28, 2010, 07:49:54 pm »

We took on an unsocialised GSD at 17 months old. 18 months later, she still has HUGE issues with "outside" . . . despite all the love in the world, and behavioural training. at home, she is the most affectionate, and (mostly!) obedient dog as long as the cats are out of sight,

Imho, the dog really needs a home that suits his problems - one that will have the time and patience to train out his bad habits, or somewhere remote enough that he can "get away with it" to some degree.

well done you for helping out, let us know how the rehoming goes.. or if you need any ideas.

Izzy · « **Reply #5 on:** October 12, 2010, 09:32:42 pm »

Thank you all foryour advice and encouragement. I thought you might like an update.

We had a visit from a dog trainer a few days ago and today was my first attempt at putting the new regime into practice. I have started walking Scamp and Lady separately. Lady got a short tour around the village with lots of smells and sights to enjoy.

Scamp loved his romp around the football field. He loved getting all my attention and loved the wee bits of grilled liver which I had in my pocket. Within a few minuted another dog appeared. I recognised it as a dog which is always immediately put on it's lead by it's owner and that's what happened. I did the same and kept Scamp interested in the liver as the dog went past about 10m away. He lunged at one point but stopped the minute I wafted the liver in front of his nose.

I have just been to find my old tennis racket and an old ball or two for a game of fetch tomorrow.

We are going to continue like this for a few weeks. If it all goes well we are going to go to one of the trainer's classes. He hopes some of his more experienced pupils can be persuaded to help Scamp over his social anxieties. Fingers crossed!

knightquest · « **Reply #6 on:** October 12, 2010, 10:14:36 pm »

I think you are doing a great job!

I would however make sure that he is rock solid with recalls before you hit balls a long way away from you as you lose any control that you may have over him with the food.
You have to get his attention within two of his paces if he sees another dog and bring him back. After that, instinct takes over and he's on the other dog and totally deaf to you.
If he gets to the other dog, he may just be interested and realise that other dogs aren't that bad. If the other dog gets stressed AND is on lead, then the fight will be horrible!
My advice for what it's worth (probably nothing

) is to do all his play and training on a longline or training lead and keep it as loose as possible so that if he does go, then at least you can phisically bring him back. It may be easier if you tie your end of the lead to your belt or something so that you are not sending any conflicting info down the lead.

Good luck and I hope you sort it out. Any chance of him coming home with you?

Ian

Izzy · « **Reply #7 on:** February 20, 2011, 09:23:19 pm »

Hello would anybody be interested in an update on Scamp's progress?

Things took a sudden turn three weeks ago when Liz suddenly came 'round to the idea that she couldn't keep Scamp. We spoke to the Dogs' Trust who said they could take him in 4-6 weeks and I said I'd keep him in the meantime.

Scamp has made fantastic progress in that time. He has a good walk every day and has lost weight. We think he is a lab/greyhound cross and whereas the lab bit used to be obvious he now looks more greyhoundish! With daily walks with a pocket of liver pieces timed to coincide with other friendly dog-owners in the village he has got over 99% of his social anxieties.

As I said he is very keen to please and therefore very biddable. In fact he is so obedient I can walk him at heal off the lead through the village to get to the park/fields/loans/woods where he is allowed to roam. He loves racing other dogs and chasing rabbits.

Around the house he is very quiet. He does follow me from room to room as I think he is getting quite attached to me after the upheaval in his life. Scamp's main problem now is that he doesn't like being on his own. When he is left at home or in the car he barks and barks and barks.

So is there anyone out there who'd be able to give Scamp a home? Because of the barking I think you'd have to have your nearest neighbour out of earshot ie "isolated" location. I can walk him near sheep and hens by growling at him but he isn't "steady".

If you'd like to come and meet Scamp please get in touch. We live in West Stirlingshire.

Sandy · « **Reply #8 on:** February 20, 2011, 11:12:38 pm »

Ho

:dog:Hope he gets a nice new home bless him, we have our hands f ull with our own doggies but if we l ived in a more rural setting I am s ure we would have loads of um!!

tazbabe · « **Reply #9 on:** February 21, 2011, 06:56:03 am »

well done, both you and scamp, it's lovely to hear of a dog getting proper attention and responding well to it. i myself have 'rescued' several adult dogs with good results, they all respond to proper management, and love you all the better for it i think.

and as for the bit about not being 'steady' around sheep and hens, given time that will sort too, i have a belgian shepherd that was allowed to roam free and chase whatever she liked, but now she lives with geese, ponies and hens, and has had to learn to behave, which mostly she does, the ponies sometimes get the opportunity to remind her to leave them alone though!,
he sounds like a nice boy. there will certainly be the perfect home for him out there.