The last three weeks have been full of busy work. Taking care of our new fur baby Khaleesi has taken up most of my time. Getting her to bond and trust us is going to take longer than expected. The bonding part is easy, especially for me. However Khaleesi is still showing signs of distrust and anxiety. Quick movements and loud noises stress this poor girl. Stressed behavior for her is a full body jerk, then she will start pacing the living room. Calming her is a chore, it's as if she is counting the paces and can't stop until she has paced back and forth just the right number or times. Very strange. The pacing can often be seen in zoo animals, its a sign they are going crazy being caged.
We did a little social experiment last weekend by having a small family dinner with my son, daughter in law and my dad. Poor Khaleesi hid in her cage most of the day. When I finally did get her to come out she tucked her tail, pulled her ears down and hid in the corner of the living room. Every movement made by anyone scared her to death. I'm not sure what she was put through before coming to live with us but I'm pretty sure it wasn't pleasant. All we can do is move forward one small step at a time.
Some of you asked about the "CAGE". Yes it is a cage. This is where she has spent the first year of her life. Oddly enough when she is stressed and the pacing has stopped this is where she likes to hide. It's her safe space. I feel like we are never going to make social progress with her if we don't get rid of "THE CAGE". For me it is a constant reminder of the horrible life she had before. We keep the cage open and she is free to LIVE outside the cage. As someone who has fought many demons in my life, I know how easy it is to fall back into old ways and bad behaviors.
Thank you to each one of you for your encouraging words and support. Knowing you care means so much.
#germanshepherd #germanshepherdrescued
Poor baby! What is wrong with people? Bless you and your husband.
ReplyDeleteDid you adopt her from a pound?
ReplyDeleteSadly it isn't always neglect that causes this behavior, though in your case it happens to be since you know her history. Our purebred Aussie pup was raised in a loving home by his breeder who had intended him to be a show dog but the Aussie tendency toward reserved shyness manifested itself about four-fold in this dog and so she sadly had to give up on that idea even though he is a handsome dog and extremely smart. Even after having him for nearly a year and a half, he is still frightened by anyone coming into our yard, or even worse the house. He loves kids though is frightened by their quick movements and noise, and will retreat into a corner or a distant bedroom if the grandkids get too crazy. He is better when visiting other homes, very strange but true, especially if there's a dog in the home. I wouldn't be in a hurry to remove the safety net of your baby's crate, it's very normal for them to need the comfort of a safe place, whether it's the crate or under a bed or behind the shower curtain in the bathtub! Khaleesi might benefit from another easy-going dog to play with occasionally if you have the opportunity to make that happen.
ReplyDeleteor not just as an occasional friend, but find one that will fit with your family including your new baby doggie, another pet that will befriend him and give him companionship of his own, who would be a therapy dog for your present one.
ReplyDeleteThis may be a comment where you’ll tell me to mind my own business but I am touched by your efforts and determination to help this dog. I was struck by how her cage is home to her and wondered if there was some way you could extend her safe area. My thought was to put a larger rug or mat under her cage but have it extend out from the front. Perhaps if it has the same texture as the mat inside the cage she’ll gradually see it as an extension of her safe zone. You mentioned before that she doesn’t like some of the hard surfaces. My other thought is for the cage to be moved to other spots in your home so she can feel safe inside the cage but get used to being in different areas. I so admire what you’re doing and wish you all the best.
ReplyDeleteIf only she could verbalize her anxieties :( we adopted a mama and one of her pups last august. They settled in nicely with our other fur babies. The house is full and they dont always share space well, but for the most part get along. I can't/won't offer advice because i don't have any, but want to encourage and thank you for continuing to love and be patient with your pup. It's really all they want, isn't it?
ReplyDeleteWe have adopted rescue dobies, and my close friend adopts beagles. You are doing the right thing by keeping the cage for her in one place. We also have a dog bed upstairs, and another one downstairs to which we add two yards of fleece. It may take a while, but these will become secondary safer zones. We also get our dogs nail trimmed down like show dogs, so they don’t scratch the wood floors and also have a bit better grip on the floor. The more you pet her, take her on walks, introduce her to one person at a time, reassuring her, etc. the more she will socialize. It always takes time, tho, as in many months before she feels secure. She is a beautiful girl!
ReplyDeleteHave you thought about a Thundershirt? They are the weight of a good t shirt material. It wraps around the dogs body and it acts like a hug. It is intended to release tension and stress.
ReplyDeleteIt might help with her stress a bit. We have one for our dog. Gun shoots up set her. We live in the country so people hunt etc.
Poor baby. I'm so glad she has you to work with her and love on her. Praying that eventually she will realize she is in a safe place and be more comfortable. As you say, it may take some time though.
ReplyDeleteShe may always feel this way-on guard and scared. She will have to be comfortable around and your husband-people she frequently sees before others. She may always go in hiding in her cage-possibly finding other parts of the house where she feels safe. I have 2 stray cats i took in. Shadow and Leo (almost 3) are 2 brothers from another mother :) Leo is a tabby and watches out for Shadow (almost 2) he is comfortable around family...Shadow still goes in the closet when anyone comes over. They know i have 2 cats, but have never seen Shadow but in pictures...... Thank you for patience with your new fur baby.
ReplyDeleteDon't you just wish they could talk to us? I don't know if taking her cage away would make her more stressed since it seems to be her only safe zone. You might try it but wouldn't keep it gone for too long at first. I really don't know what the best thing to do would be. I wish all of you the best on this journey
ReplyDeleteit's all coping at some point. For me, for you for her. Have you watched how Cesar Milan helps rescue pets with anxiety? He says certain stances of tall humans are more frightening. I met a distrustful rescue this week and I stood quietly with my back to her, and she actually reached out to sniff me. It's less threatening. And baby steps with trust. Not reaching for them, small treats from the hand or placed on floor in front of them. Distraction when pacing... a quiet command, a squeaky toy. Ignoring the pacing but trying to break the chain of fear with another routine. Milo still gets anxious on walks, and chews his leash. I had to teach my husband not to get mad, to have quiet energy and distract. We have him sit, and he knows words (we had him from 8 weeks, he came with anxiety then) so we quietly just remind him he's okay, it's okay. We wait til he gathers himself, which usually is shown by shaking it off like water, and then can continue the walk.
ReplyDeleteShe's probably very smart, and sensitive. She'll need to put that into behaviors that show confidence. Fetch, or touch, kiss. I don't know what you'll come up with but you will.
God bless the whole household through the adjustment. As cesar says though, they feel your energy. He also says dogs can forget the past and trust again.