Introduction and Need Assistance

beau'smom · 10-27-2007, 11:15 AM

HI- I am Beau's mom and this is my first time here. I recently adopted Beau and I have a couple questons I wonder if anyone could answer. I've always loved dogs but could only recently adopt because I am now (finally!) a home owner. Beau is a medium sized mixed breed male that I got from a shelter. They think he is part bernese and part lab. He is extremely good natured and obediant but somewhat fearful. He doesn't really play and he is not interested in going outside. He just wants to be by me 24/7. I want him to be able to relax and have fun and be a dog. Also, he is a picky eater and we are working on that but any suggestions would be helpful. He is housebroken too but only seems have to go have once a day! I don't know if he is holding it cause he is afraid or what but this can't be good for his health. Does anybody know of any training methods I can use to help him relax? Or does it just take some time? I've only had him for a week. Thanks, Beau's mom

**LinksToThePast** · 10-27-2007, 11:52 AM

Welcome to theBubbler! I moved your intro because I anticipate a lot of folks replying to this one. We have a lot of dog lovers here.

Let me gather my thoughts on this one and I will post more later.

kmfarm · 10-27-2007, 12:33 PM

We've had pretty much the same experience with an adopted dog. It took quite a while for him to "feel at home". You just never know what his/her past was and how they react to the shelter experience.

Time will make it better, but don't baby too much.

Welcome.

Mark

**LinksToThePast** · 10-28-2007, 12:05 PM

I agree that it will probably take time for Beau to adjust.

Quote:

Originally Posted by beau'smom

He is extremely good natured and obediant but somewhat fearful. He doesn't really play and he is not interested in going outside. He just wants to be by me 24/7.

I am not a dog expert, nor do I claim to play on the interwebs...here are my thoughts.

Lets start with not needing/wanting to go outside. Dogs typically will eliminate on a routine schedule. My dog (5 mo old pup) will typically eliminate about an hour after eating. If you free feed (have a dish out all the time) for your dog, I would suggest meal feeding. Meal feeding is feeding at certain times of the day rather than leaving it out for him to take when he wishes. Morning and evening is fine. He should go an hour or three after he eats.

When you take him outside, do you stay with him? or do you put him on a lead? If you put him on a lead and watch him from inside, it may be he is suffering from separation anxiety. He may be worried you are going to leave him. I suggest walking him more often or staying out with him when you put him out. That way he knows that you aren't going anywhere.

Have a separate play time from time to do his duty. If he has Attention Deficiet like my Sela, she forgets what she is supposed to be doing. She chases the leaf, barks at the geese, watches the traffic and forgets that she should be doing her business. I take Sela to one place to do her duty and to another area in the yard to play.

Be sure to reward him (either praise or treats) for going. Eventually he will associate going with getting rewards and will want to go more often.

More later on how to encourage play.

**keith** · 10-28-2007, 12:41 PM

Welcome to theBubbler!

Links was right to move the thread where you can get some help with the problem at hand. Nevertheless, hope you'll become a regular, enjoying many happy returns to our Wisconsin online community.

Here's my best reference for pet behavioral problems:

Dog Whisperer: National Geographic Channel

I'm a huge fan ~ unbelievable how Cesar Milan solves behavioral issues. Some show stuff is there. Hope you'll watch (with your dog!).

Good luck.

Regards,
Keith

**CarolsCritterCare** · 10-29-2007, 02:26 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by beau'smom

HI- I am Beau's mom and this is my first time here. I recently adopted Beau and I have a couple questons I wonder if anyone could answer. I've always loved dogs but could only recently adopt because I am now (finally!) a home owner. Beau is a medium sized mixed breed male that I got from a shelter. They think he is part bernese and part lab. He is extremely good natured and obediant but somewhat fearful. He doesn't really play and he is not interested in going outside. He just wants to be by me 24/7. I want him to be able to relax and have fun and be a dog. Also, he is a picky eater and we are working on that but any suggestions would be helpful. He is housebroken too but only seems have to go have once a day! I don't know if he is holding it cause he is afraid or what but this can't be good for his health. Does anybody know of any training methods I can use to help him relax? Or does it just take some time? I've only had him for a week. Thanks, Beau's mom

Ian Dunbar has an awesome sest of training video's and books available.
Ian Dunbar

Beau may have only been allowed to go out potty once a day. Being a rescue dog you wont really know his whole story as to what happened before you got him. When he does go out and potty you could overly reward him with a awesome treat and lots of praise. That sometimes works...they know the treat is coming and that they are pleasing you, so they will want to do the same behavior again.

Sarah from Blue Dog is also great with dogs and she is right here in Madison, WI Blue Dog Training & Behavior Madison, Wisconsin she will come to your house or you can go to her.

Fautps · 10-29-2007, 03:14 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by beau'smom

HI- I am Beau's mom and this is my first time here. I recently adopted Beau and I have a couple questons I wonder if anyone could answer. I've always loved dogs but could only recently adopt because I am now (finally!) a home owner. Beau is a medium sized mixed breed male that I got from a shelter. They think he is part bernese and part lab. He is extremely good natured and obediant but somewhat fearful. He doesn't really play and he is not interested in going outside. He just wants to be by me 24/7. I want him to be able to relax and have fun and be a dog. Also, he is a picky eater and we are working on that but any suggestions would be helpful. He is housebroken too but only seems have to go have once a day! I don't know if he is holding it cause he is afraid or what but this can't be good for his health. Does anybody know of any training methods I can use to help him relax? Or does it just take some time? I've only had him for a week. Thanks, Beau's mom

Welcome to the bubbler.
I am a board member for a dog rescue orginization, and I can give you some input, although by far, I am no paid expert, nor do I claim to know all

Typically, shelter dogs must build trust before their true behavior comes out. It takes time for that to happen, and some dogs we have seen take as long as a year to become comfortable. It all depends on their personalities and previous environment(s).
Dogs are pack animals, and tend to do as their masters do. If he enjoys following you around, go out and walk, or goof around in the yard, he'll probably just follow you around for a while, but as he learns to trust both you and himself, he will relax more.
Someone mentioned stuctured feeding already, and I agree. My dogs are so into meal times that you can set your watch by them! If he's fussy with a brand of food you choose, try adding beef broth, or peanut butter, something he really does enjoy, and then wean him off of it. Structured bathroom breaks are a great idea as well, he may only go once per day because he got used to it in the shelter. Give it some time, and this should change.
Hope this helps,
Rob

beau'smom · 10-29-2007, 04:40 PM

Hi All- Thanks for the good info. Beau is doing better, starting to relax. We went to the dog park today for the first time today and we had a blast. He is eating better and I only have to put a little chicken gravy on his food. He still wont stay out side by himself, he barks right away to come in and I don't want to reward that by bringing him in but I don't want his barking to bother the nieghbors either. He doesn't have any interest in playing fetch or going after tennis balls yet but maybe that will come too. Thanks again, Beau's mom

Scarberry2003 · 10-29-2007, 09:44 PM

Our rescued collie was 14 months old when we got her and "kennel" raised all her life. It took her about 2 months to "learn how" to play. But once she figured it all out,,,,,, OMG,, that's all she wants to do. It's like she is making up for lost puppy-hood or something. For a long time all she wanted to do was stay in my closet. Now she stays downstairs with us during the day, but come 10 pm,,, she herds everyone upstairs,, she knows it is past bedtime.

Just give Beau time to adjust and maybe let him see other dogs play with a ball and he will get the idea and want to join in.

You didn't say how old he was, still a pup? or an older dog?

And btw,, Kudo's for getting him from a shelter,,, need more of that and less "designer dogs"

beau'smom · 10-30-2007, 04:42 PM

Hi Tracy- I got Beau from a shelter cause I didn't want a puppy and I absloutely didn't want to pay the ridiculous prices that some are asking for thier older dogs. I very much agree with your comment about 'designer dogs' that are just mutts really. I can't beleive people are so clueless about pet overpopulation that they keep on breeding when so many dogs don't have homes. I toured quite a few of the shelters when I was looking for my dog and I was appalled at the conditions in some of them but at least they are trying. We also have a Petland store here that is going great guns and I can't beleive people shop there! I don't know if its because they are thoughtless or ignorant or what. I suspect people buy puppies there simply for convienece and on impulse and it breaks my heart. Our local paper ran an article about the people that manage the place and they are happy as clams that business is good and they call themselves pet lovers! I'm sorry I'm off on a rant but it just bugs me to no end to think of the puppies that are suffering because of them. Ok, I'll stop now. Otherwsie Beau is doing really good now but he still only urinates aout once every 12 hours; should I be concerned about that? Thaks all and I'll be back later, Beau's mom.

**CarolsCritterCare** · 11-01-2007, 12:52 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Fautps

Welcome to the bubbler.
I am a board member for a dog rescue orginization, and I can give you some input, although by far, I am no paid expert, nor do I claim to know all

Rob

Hi Rob
I'm part of WI Dog Rescue..........
which organization are you a BOD Member??

Fautps · 11-01-2007, 02:35 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by CarolsCritterCare

Hi Rob
I'm part of WI Dog Rescue..........
which organization are you a BOD Member??

Hi Carol,
I am not affiliated with a wisconsin group technically. I work with Chicagoland Bully Breed Rescue, which of course bases out of Chicago, with a smaller presence here in WI.

demon71 · 11-01-2007, 08:54 PM

I have a feeling there are a lot of us out here that work with/for rescues. We have had several dogs that we have fostered in the last year. Each one has has a different personality and needs. It takes some time for these dogs that have had their world turned upside down to be able to trust new people and feel like they have a new home. Just give Beau some love and attention and he will come around. Treat him like your best friend and he will become that. It may take a month or so for him to realize that he has a new furever home.
Thanks for adopting him and giving him a second chance on life.
There should be more people like you.

**LinksToThePast** · 11-02-2007, 08:43 PM

Get yourself a laser pointer.
My puppy loves to play tug of war but doesn't seem to like to chase balls or frisbee much. Kind of disappointing...since I know that is very good exercise.

I picked up a laser pointer the other day and Sela loves it. She chases it digs at it, jumps for it. It is hilarious. I have had the thing for a couple weeks now. It is on a clip and when she hears the clip rattle she comes running and then searches all around the room looking for that red dot.

A good $6 investment if you ask me. (besides the cats and the fish love it too!)