To
The Rescue?
Q:
I
am thinking about taking in a rescued
11-month old dog who is terrified of everything.
He was abused and I believe he was kept
in a crate all the time. He is afraid
to the point he just wants to bolt, non-stop.
He cowers in the kennel, and he shakes
from head to toe. He runs to people for
security though, and tries to latch on
to someone, and crawls in their laps to
hide.
I
was thinking of adopting this dog, but
want to do what's right, and I have so
many concerns. I worry about my current
dog, who also has a history of fear issues
and if it will create more fear in the
house seeing a dog so panicked. I also
worry about this dog, and if my dog being
fearful will be not be a good influence,
whereas a more confident dog could help
him. I also worry about myself, if I can
handle the emotional part of having a
dog like this and if he can be somewhat
normal. Thanks so much for your insight;
I just don't know what to do for him.
A:
I'm
sorry to hear of this poor dog's situation.
If you were to help him, a professional,
POSITIVE trainer would have to be hired
to help you. From what you write, you
will never get this dog to be “Lassie”
friendly, but certainly improvement is
possible. Medication may be needed to
help get him to the point where he can
begin to relax as the behavior modification
program takes hold.
Your
situation sounds like it would add a lot
more stress to your household if you adopt
this dog. A professional, competent trainer
would be able to tell you if the rescue
and your own dog would get along but it
doesn't sound promising. Unless you have
the skills, time, money and emotional
commitment necessary to raise this dog,
while supporting your dog at the same
time, I would not suggest bringing him
into your home.
Obviously
your heart is in the right place and I
would continue to network with friends,
co-workers, neighbors and family members
to see if someone else can adopt the rescue.
I
sincerely wish you well! |
