Cocker Specific Discussion > Behaviour & Training

Why is she doing this?

<< < (2/3) > >>

Inca:
My previous dog, Gizzy, Who unfortunately passed away last October, was also a rescue dog. He came to me at the age of three and had many problems, not just physical but also phsycological. He had no fur, his joints came out of place and he had no muscle tone. Gizzy was also very aggressive towards men (especially ones with sticks, umberellas etc.) It took about 18mnths to 2yrs before he felt comfortable with men. During that time we let him take things at his own pace and never forced him to accept anything he wasn't comfortable with. This payed off and he eventually came to accept men and loved to play with my partner. Gizzy lived with me for 9yrs however during the last 6mnths of his life he once again started to snap not just at men but at anyone.                    

Kat:
Thanks for all your suggestions.  As it is the last week of the "ignoring "stage  I am slowly integrating myself back with hubby and Bonnie, so to speak.  There has been so much of an improvement with her over the last 5 weeks that this last problem probably, as you mentioned, is one that may sort itself out or not at all.

Of all the problems its so good to see the improvements

Bonnie is quite happy to approach hubby when she wants to and that is a definite improvement!  Him grooming her has certainly helped on the one to one.  She will also jump up for a stroke if he asks her "whats the problem?" .......and all the little things that we would normally take for granted with any other dog are slowly coming on too.

As I am now taking more of a part in her life again now I will just have to wait and see what will happen I guess as you have suggested, but I will keep you all posted.  :)                    

Gilly:
I've been reading this thread with interest...and have to say I admire you Kat :) I actually think it must be alot harder to own a rescue dog...with little information about it's physical and mental health......
It sounds to me like you have made great progress in less than a year......keep going I'm sure you'll get there ;D
Keep us informed on your progress with Bonnie.

Gilly                    

Pammy:
Good luck with Bonnie Kat - you've obvioulsy come a long way on what is still a long journey. I agree with what has been said about bringing yourself back into Bonnie's life a bit more.

I would continue to involve hubby where you can but make it a threesome rather than one to one. Let her see from you that it's OK and that you are relaxed and hopefully she'll eventually pick up on that.

I would try you getting her food ready then passing it to hubby for him to give to her, then for him to prepare and pass to you etc. Alternate it so she see's you both feed her.

For toys - go gently. Try and find a toy she really likes and have that as a special treat that only your hubby brings out - but that you all then play with.

You'll have to be guided by Bonnie with lots of gentle encouragement when things go well rather than "giddy" praise if you know what I mean. She might just like a gentle stroke from your hubby rather than perhaps rubs and pats.

It may just be that she has come almost as far as she's going to. My hubby has to accept that he is a very low second when it comes to me  ;D - but the boys are happy with him and go mad when he comes home etc - it's not like with Bonnie, but it is not unusual for a dog to bond better with one person.

Do keep us posted - she sounds a lovely girl now she has a lovely home.

hth                    

Kat:
:)

I did know a little about Bonnie's ill heath when I got her.  She was referred to a specialist vets in Manchester for 2 bowel hernias and had all her internal reproduction organs, womb and connecting pipes (being polite here :)  ) removed.  The vets comment was that from what he could guess she had had so many litters that all her internals were stretched and baggy, her urine pooling back into her womb, slowly eroding it..... >:(  Plus a heart murmur! Also no upper central teeth and one of the fangs twisted and one of her lower jaw fangs missing.  They thing because she chewed the bars of her cage.  The only time now you hear her bark is when she is in the vets and is caged.

She IS a remarkable little dog and every day she makes us laugh with one antic or another.  She's not what most people will call a stunning cocker spaniel but we love her to bits.

When I can get a photo up here I will post it.....

You can tell we're very proud of her  ;D                    

Navigation

[0] Message Index

[#] Next page

[*] Previous page