How to wreck a puppy:
1. Take the pup home when it's a young cute thing thus depriving better people from adopting him and then return him to the shelter months later when he's lost his puppy cuteness and looks like an adult dog.
2. Do not spend enough time exercising or socializing the pup so the dog still behaves like an under-socialized, excitable pup but now in an adult body.
3. Use dominance/punishment based training methods thus making the dog hand shy because he equates hands near his face with punishment.
Jamie was adopted out when he was four months old, still a cute, wriggly thing. Now he's been returned three months later.
When he first sees me enter the room, he's unsure. I look at him and instead of a wagging tail or excited barks, he lies down and avoids eye contact. I open the kennel door, beckon him but he just looks away. When I move my hand to attach the leash to his collar, he stiffens. I see his eye blink and his upper lip move just slightly and I'm not sure if it's the beginning of a wince or a snarl. I back off.
The owners said he used to take the kids' toys and when they tried to discipline him, he'd show his teeth.
In his recent behaviour assessment at the shelter, he showed no signs of resource guarding so that begs the question: What "discipline" was practiced to make this dog bare his teeth?
The silver lining is that Jamie was returned before any further damage was done. He's still young, certainly young enough that his rough puppy manners can be corrected and his lack of confidence and anxieties can be alleviated.
I loop him with the end of the leash to keep my hands away from his face. When he realizes the leash is on and we're going for a walk and I'm not there to punish him, his manner immediately changes. Now he's pawing and playing. Now he's a pup again.
The best way to check on the adoption status of this dog (and other dogs and cats and other small domestic animals) is to visit Toronto Animal Services adoption website or call 416 338 6668 for the Toronto Animal Services South shelter. If the dog is no longer on the TAS adoption website, it's probably because it's been adopted already.
I know TAS coffers are definitely not overflowing, but do they offer any advice/info/resources on dog training or dog behaviour/behavioural problems, especially for families with little experience? Seems like some back up support may help people with the skills they need and prevent them from thinking the dog has just "gone bad" and returning them,. Even just educating them that behavioural training should be their first choice before returning the dog can go a long way...
ReplyDeleteFred: Every single dog that is granted your company cannot help but heal. Hell, I heal just reading your posts! So thank you on behalf of this sweet dog, who can now flourish with the right human, and on behalf of myself THANK YOU for all you do for them, and we who are so fortunate to know you via One Bark at a Time.
ReplyDeleteKisses and hugs
We adopted a new little miss from TAS North in August (so now we have North & South!) and she appears to have similar circumstances. No real puppy training, terrified if you walk past holding the newspaper, etc. That being said, full of love much like Jamie and is doing fantastic now. I'm sure that Jamie will get the right fit soon and go on to be his full fantastic self! Sometimes I think the only decent thing Millie's previous owners did was drop her at TAS and I suspect the same will be true for Jamie.
ReplyDeleteLovely, sweet dog! The suggestions for TAS to give advice and lessons is good. But unfortunately some people just wouldn't be bothered to learn. Hopefully with your wonderful help Fred, Jimmy will find a loving owner. And returning him to TAS turns out to be the best thing his family gave him to find some happiness at last.
ReplyDeleteSorry Jamie for calling you Jimmy! But I still wish you the best in your life! Does he look a bit like Simone do you think Fred? They are both so adorable! Black dogs are a good choice! Mine thinks so!
ReplyDeleteI am amazed at people who want TAS to give them free advice on how to train a dog. Heavens, don't they have enough to do? If you adopt a dog, make the effort and have it trained properly. Take it to behaviour classes, go to a good kennel, look it up on the Internet. Yes, training costs money. So does food and vet care. Would you expect TAS to give that to you for free too? No wonder pups like Jamie get spoiled. Which he isn't, by the way. I found him to be extraordinarily well-behaved for such a young dog. Hope his next home has someone with brains in it!
ReplyDeleteThat being said, full of love much like Jamie and is doing fantastic now. I'm sure that Jamie will get the right fit soon and go on to be his full fantastic self! Sometimes I think the only decent thing Millie's previous owners did was drop her at TAS
ReplyDelete