I’m in the process of adopting a female, about a year old is the guess, and large breed. She has a backstory, suffice to say I am the fifth known person/house in her life. The process of adoption has been slowed at my choice. I wanted to get her to one of my vets for a general checkup and update vaccines that need it. The delay also allowed me time to work on training her for my life. She was returned to the fosters on weekends and retrieved Tuesday.
This delayed option is removed. She will be coming home with me today. The fosters removed the option for safety reasons. They have small children and she nipped at a guest/friend of theirs while out on a jog with the husband. She scratched but did not puncture. I totally get that they have these concerns. And I agree in their situation.
My however in all this is, she does not behave at all the same from what I have seen between them and me. When I first met her she was on a retractable leash and yanking the wife around and barking some. She has broke a retractable leash. There were three small kids with her and this was chalked up to protective behavior. She does pull with me but hardly yanks by comparison and the pulling has subdued some with work. She’s on a normal leash.
When I pick her up she is often on a tie out, and I’m told its to let her burn some energy. She barks her head off when I arrive. I have once heard her bark “for nothing” in the days she has stayed with me. It was because she was placed in the car after attempting to return her for the wknd, and it was one vocalization, not a continued stream. She doesnt like men according to the fosters. Yet on encounters with unknown men in dog friendly stores she pays them little mind. Her worst vocalizations has been when I walk my boy and she is left (crated for safety) inside. Bit of separation anxiety it seems. When crated she shows minor issues, and doesnt want to go in but once settled is quiet and mostly content.
The ppl who were present when I met her and have seen her since say she is like a different dog with me. Obviously these are brief encounters. She has shown promise as a pet. She shows some potential for work. She is smart.
A bite reaction at any time is concerning. But is there a chance for her to live with some training and work? Am I fooling myself here, and being unrealistic? Is my safety at undo risk? I want to give her a chance and I find her good for me. But ppl around me are convinced she is a danger. She won’t be around them more than necessary, btw.
ETA: The breed is suspected to be Canaan dog. But five homes later, and the foster dug for info, her and I are no closer to confirming or denying that info. The dog kind of looks like Charlie from All Dogs Go to Heaven, but lighter coloring. The tail is similar to that of a canaan but the microchip goes back to nothing. So dna testing may happen in the near future.
Update: contacted a trainer semi local to me and will be getting in asap. In the meantime, the trainer provided advice to work with where she is currently with what we do know. Going to give this a fair shot for her. Thank you all for your words. They helped.
This delayed option is removed. She will be coming home with me today. The fosters removed the option for safety reasons. They have small children and she nipped at a guest/friend of theirs while out on a jog with the husband. She scratched but did not puncture. I totally get that they have these concerns. And I agree in their situation.
My however in all this is, she does not behave at all the same from what I have seen between them and me. When I first met her she was on a retractable leash and yanking the wife around and barking some. She has broke a retractable leash. There were three small kids with her and this was chalked up to protective behavior. She does pull with me but hardly yanks by comparison and the pulling has subdued some with work. She’s on a normal leash.
When I pick her up she is often on a tie out, and I’m told its to let her burn some energy. She barks her head off when I arrive. I have once heard her bark “for nothing” in the days she has stayed with me. It was because she was placed in the car after attempting to return her for the wknd, and it was one vocalization, not a continued stream. She doesnt like men according to the fosters. Yet on encounters with unknown men in dog friendly stores she pays them little mind. Her worst vocalizations has been when I walk my boy and she is left (crated for safety) inside. Bit of separation anxiety it seems. When crated she shows minor issues, and doesnt want to go in but once settled is quiet and mostly content.
The ppl who were present when I met her and have seen her since say she is like a different dog with me. Obviously these are brief encounters. She has shown promise as a pet. She shows some potential for work. She is smart.
A bite reaction at any time is concerning. But is there a chance for her to live with some training and work? Am I fooling myself here, and being unrealistic? Is my safety at undo risk? I want to give her a chance and I find her good for me. But ppl around me are convinced she is a danger. She won’t be around them more than necessary, btw.
ETA: The breed is suspected to be Canaan dog. But five homes later, and the foster dug for info, her and I are no closer to confirming or denying that info. The dog kind of looks like Charlie from All Dogs Go to Heaven, but lighter coloring. The tail is similar to that of a canaan but the microchip goes back to nothing. So dna testing may happen in the near future.
Update: contacted a trainer semi local to me and will be getting in asap. In the meantime, the trainer provided advice to work with where she is currently with what we do know. Going to give this a fair shot for her. Thank you all for your words. They helped.
