I know it is a long time since I updated you on Poppy's progress, but it has been rather long-winded' Through the wonderful people in this forum, I learned the phrase "shut down" dog. When she came to us from Many Tears, she was indeed shut down. However it is now 18 months or so since she arrived. She had undergone eye surgery to remove one eye and had a complex op on her remaining eye to save her sight. When I explained her problems on line, many lovely people with experience of these breeding bitches, were able to advise me and warn of the possible problems to come.
Well, we have survived and she is fantastic! My one wish for her was to go for a walk in the country side and be happy. We go out every day and although she is still on a lead, in the field it is the extra long retractable one I used for training the bloodhounds. She comes to me when I call her before she gets to the end of it, so I am hoping that I can trust her to let her off soon. She took to house training (slowly) and is now 100% trustworthy. She watches Maggie and copies, sadly all the things she shouldn't. Her only problem is shut doors, and people in doorways. She will not walk past, even me, if I stand in the doorway letting her in. I have to step away. Someone has done this in her past and pushed her around with a broom (she is terrified of those).
Mainly I just wanted to say that these poor shut down dogs, will come out into the sunshine and enjoy their life, it just takes patience and a lovely "other" dog to guide them.