Re: Decompressing

I am so grateful Ghost has found a kind soul to help him realize what it's like to live in a loving, caring household. Thank you for caring!!!

Re: Decompressing

From my own experience from owning a dog that came from a puppy mill, some behaviors will lessen and some will disappear, but there will be many that never disappear completely - and reappear when the pup is under stress. It just takes time, compassion and love - things I believe you have in abundance to give. My prayers are with you and Ghost.

Re: Decompressing

I am so delighted to hear that Ghost has made it to his home. I hope you have many wonderful years together. Many blessings to you as you care for him.

Re: Decompressing

I will continue to send good thoughts for you and Ghost. He sounds like he is doing well, starting to relax a little.
We've had Thor for 7 months now and he is still afraid to come in the door, if I walk up to him he cowars .. makes me feel terrible. Some things they just don't seem to be able to get past. In time we can hope it gets better.
Good luck with the bath! Tell him he will feel better when it's over....
Both of you can, maybe, get some rest today.

Re: Decompressing

There is a yahoo group for shy dogs that gives great advice. Taking baby steps is good and don't overwhelm him. It's nice to know that he is in good hands. Give him a big ole hug from me (if he'll let ya :) )

Re: Decompressing

Good for you--meeting the challenge. I too adpoped a dog, Georgie, a small terrier, who has many fears and we are taking baby steps in overcoming them. He has two calm bichon frise house mates who help him relax. He doesn't like head petting but, that's okay, we scratch under the chin. He did very well in his obedience class--we bonded there and he learned that not all dogs and people would hurt him. It's been almost a year and we are still working on the issues. He, too has a crate and when he feels uncertain or stressed he goes there. We'll be thinking of you and sending good vibes.

Re: Decompressing

Will you be putting a pic of Ghost on your profile anytime soon? Would love to see him. Good luck in your work with him. It is so sad that animals have to be afraid at all in the young lives. People that can be abusive and cruel to helpless animals should be punished. We need stiffer laws to protect these little guys.

Re: Decompressing

Ghost (now known as Sidney!) is now on my profile my featured pet. This picture of Sir Sidney was taken just after he arrived in Omaha.

Re: Decompressing

My abused greyhound girl took 6 weeks to come in the same room as me, then she came in and jumped on me on the floor and kissed me. It was probably 4 years after taking her home before I could call her "normal" but she is and has been now 14 years old, been w/ me since '96. So it's only time and love and devotion..

Re: Decompressing

My baby, Toofy, had spent much of his life in a shelter. His first owner died and three families returned him to the shelter because of his separation anxiety. He adjusted to living with us instantly. But his separation anxiety has never gone away in the 6 years we've had him. So we schedule our life around making sure he's not alone. We adore him and wouldn't want any other dog.

I'm so glad you rescued a dog that needed love and patience so much. Rescue dogs are always so grateful to have a loving home.

Hugs,
Maria

Re: Decompressing

Lab, it has taken Zima since the end of January to finally realize that she has a forever mamma and she has started giving me kisses back..and wagging her tail for earnest .. cuz she is glad to see me .. she has come a LONG way since when I adopted her and told her she wouldn't ever be unwanted again.

Re: Decompressing

I adopted my dog, Ashley, from a shelter that was closing. It took me almost an hour(w/my neighbor's help),to get her from the car to my fenced-in yard. She spent 5 days, yes 5 DAYS, hiding behind bushes in the yard, through 2 thunderstorms! After the 5th day, I got her to come up onto the back porch. Shortly after that, she came inside. She was fine w/other dogs. She was 6 months old at the time. Now, 5 yrs later and a different house,she sleeps in bed w/me and my dog, Rowdy. She's extremely attached to me . She's afraid of everyone else and sometimes a breeze will startle her. I'm looking forward to the day when I am able to hire a trainer to come to the house to help us .I'm on my own so, it's difficult to train one while the other is intruding! She's come a loooong way, though! I was very patient w/her and took things at HER pace and always tried to 'read' her. I also showed her respect, even when things were difficult. I'm avoiding medication ( FOR HER!) but, I also want her to get to the point where she can relax more and enjoy a life w/o stress and fear. Best wishes to you and to everyone out there who doesn't give up on these animals.

Re: Decompressing

I volunteer a few hours a week with rescued dogs awaiting foster/adoption. I am currently fostering a young dog found living feral at about 4 months old. I got her to trust me & get close to me with (I'm not trying to advertise here, any similar jerky treat should work) Carvers Beef Jerky for dogs. At first, she ignored it. When I left line of sight, she ate it so I knew she liked them. Then I lured her in closer & closer - but in baby steps. I can pet her now most of the time! This has also worked with a couple of other very fearful dogs. Fairly rigid routine helps, too.

Re: Decompressing

Many of the cats I've had have been adopted. Bringing shell-shocked babies into your home is something I applaude. I can see you have wonderful patience for this. Many people who adopt, wind up taking the animals back because they have unwanted issues they are not willing to work through. Be assured your trials will be rewarded. Don't despair over the treats, Ghost still has to settle into where he fits into the household. He'll pick his time when he let's you know what treats he likes. "Shell-shocked" dogs, like children, need to have a routine so they understand what's expected. I know you'll be very pleased with the dog Ghost becomes.

Re: Decompressing

You are are wonderful person! From my own experience with my cat, the only advice I can give is patience. From the very first day, he got along great with our other cat, but It took my shelter cat almost TWO YEARS to trust and be close to us. Sundays were the worst, our family would scream during sporting events and he would hide for hours.

The doctor said, " if he wants to sit in the closet by himself for 8 hours, let him." Now, eight years later, he could not care if a hundred people were cheering for our team to score. Sometimes, he still sleeps in the closet, but only to "get away from his wild n' crazy little sister".

Animals are so smart and I think they eventually know what a good & safe home we have for them.

Re: Decompressing

I can identify with the posted comments. I also rescued a stray. She has come a long way in 3 months, but she does thrive on routine and has made her own little schedule. She is less fearful each day and seems to actually be enjoying the world around her, but I don't know all her issues, so I approach each new thing with care and pay attention to her signals for stress or fear.
Time and patience are of the essence. She may never get over all her fears, I can't know how broken and frightened her little spirit is, but I will love and protect her just the way she is for as long as I have her and try to make her world as comfortable as I can as I try to introduce her to new experiences.
The night she jumped on my bed when she was here 2 months, and brought some of her toys and laid them beside me was the greatest gift of love and trust I have ever encountered with all my rescued pets.
You are doing a great job, and your rescue knows you love him.
Everyone who loves animals is a special gift themselves to these little lost suffering souls when they take them into their heart and home
My thoughts and prayers are with you as you continue your journes of love and healing with your new pet.

Re: Decompressing

I can identify with the posted comments. I also rescued a stray. She has come a long way in 3 months, but she does thrive on routine and has made her own little schedule. She is less fearful each day and seems to actually be enjoying the world around her, but I don't know all her issues, so I approach each new thing with care and pay attention to her signals for stress or fear.
Time and patience are of the essence. She may never get over all her fears, I can't know how broken and frightened her little spirit is, but I will love and protect her just the way she is for as long as I have her and try to make her world as comfortable as I can as I try to introduce her to new experiences.
The night she jumped on my bed when she was here 2 months, and brought some of her toys and laid them beside me was the greatest gift of love and trust I have ever encountered with all my rescued pets.
You are doing a great job, and your rescue knows you love him.
Everyone who loves animals is a special gift themselves to these little lost suffering souls when they take them into their heart and home
My thoughts and prayers are with you as you continue your journey of love and healing with your new pet.

Re: Decompressing

Good for you for adopting. I recommend reading the Monks of New Skeet's books to understand just how deeply fear can become ingrained in a puppy (skim through "The Art of Raising a Puppy".) Then look into some of the new counter-conditioning books to help your pup to overcome.(try www.dogwise.com) They work on the theory that your dog's opinion can be changed from fear to anticipation with a little encouragement (read:food)
My first dog came from Lakeland rescue, she lived under my couch for 3 months. The first night that she climbed on my bed I thought I would just cry myself to sleep. But in the end I was able to show her in confirmation and obedience, and adored her for 15 years (even though every time I walked out the door without her, she was sure I wasnt coming back.)
I now have 3 dogs, 2 from the local shelter: a good dog is a good dog regardless of pedigree and it is amazing what miracles a little love can work. I am a realist, and I work with animals, so I wouldnt expect a total personality change, but shy isnt criminal, and I will root for you. And Kitkat3 has a point: if his way of coping is to do something harmless (Hide in the closet) let it be. My one dog licks his crate when he is nervous, I dont care, it's his crate.
Good luck

Re: Decompressing

What a wonderful person you are to give your love to this wonderful animal. We rescued a Boxer from the Florida Boxer
Rescue and he setteld in almost two weeks later. We don't know much about his past but we love him to death. He is king of the house now. Good luck with your baby

Jan

Re: Decompressing

Lucky Ghost, I'm sure he will be happy when he realizes he's home! My most recent acquisition is Lucky (new name) the Chihuahua who I adopted from the rescue I work with so my other (and pretty FAT) Chi had a just-my-size play pal. They get along fabulously. But Lucky was DEFINITELY not his name before I got him. He was certainly abused, cowers from hands coming at him, was afraid to take treats, had that haunted look in his eyes like "you dont know what I have seen" and his teeth are all broken which usually happens when starving dogs eat rocks.

I brought him home June 19th. Now he will take treats from my hand but only if I crouch down. If I am standing he may or may not come when I call him, he comes half way then chickens out ands runs to one of his beds.

I remember reading it can take an animal up to a year to really act like him/herself in a new home. Like Lucky, Ghost may take longer then some of me less traumatized rescues who came from loving foster homes rather then high kill pounds.
Good luck!

Re: Decompressing

You are such a wonderful and caring person with the patience of Job to take this poor guy in who has seen God knows what in his short lifetime. Like everyone else here has said, give him time and his own space, when Ghost(nee Sidney)is ready he will let you know in his own way that he has realized that he is HOME now and will never be alone or negelcted or abused again. Though I have never had a shelter animal(actually that is not entirely true I did come close[so to speak]once)I know they are very special animals and need as amuch loveand attention as they can get to help them overcome their horrible previous lives. I know that everyone here is pulling for the both of you and especially for Ghost he is going to need a lot of time and patience(which you seem to have plenty of both)to work through his past. Once he knows his family will always be there for him he will make such a miraculous trunaround chances are you won't reconize him as the same dog you brought home. Along with everyone else here I wish you and your new best friend the absolute best of luck. Hang in there it will get easier as he learns about his new family.
What a lucky dog(no pun intended)to have found you.