hersheme
New Member
Kitty (Hurry on Kitty) and Sadie (Duleek Sonia)
Posts: 40
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Post by hersheme on Oct 16, 2013 20:09:40 GMT
I am appealing to you kind folk again for advice as you were so helpful when we first adopted Kitty in February. We have now adopted a second one! Another beautiful little girl. I was moved by the story of one grey on the RGT website but when we went to see him, it was clear he would intimidate the life out of Kitty so he was a non-starter. But, whilst walking him, this beautiful Kitty-look-alike came straight up to me. The walker was shocked as she had not done that before and usually shied away. Well, she looked at me with her big Kitty-like eyes and I was hooked! We had to consider carefully if we were up to the challenge as she is so nervous of people. We only collected her Saturday and, once again, we are smitten. Kitty is slowly coming round to the idea and for the first time this morning they had a mad 30 secs together, it was joyous and, hopefully, the first of many. So, she has settled well indoors, much quicker than we expected, has learnt the stairs, jumping into the car and a whole host of things. Unfortunately it is outside that she struggles. She enjoys her walk, providing there is no-one around, dogs are fine, it's their owners that aren't! It is going to be a really long road and it is likely she may never be confident, but we really want to give her the best chance of happiness we can, so, any tips, thoughts, suggestions, books or websites gratefully received.
Thanks very much x
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Post by suethejam on Oct 16, 2013 20:42:43 GMT
Well done on adopting a second hound - it's the biggest step - after that the 3rd, 4th and more are no bother :-D
Our Ty's full name is "big scaredy wuss jellyboy Ty" and it's been a 3-year journey to increase his confidence, though he'll never be very brave. Your girl (what's her name?)actually sounds much better than Ty already so I have great hope that you'll get her comfortable.
What works for Ty is to try and establish a safe place wherever he is - we carry sheepskins everywhere - so if we're visiting friends, the pub or Richard's office, he knows he has a spot that belongs to him.
Walks are more difficult - Ty actually loves people once they're up close but is very wary if there are just people around. You could try inviting friends to visit and get your girl used to meeting people in her "safe place", then try visiting familiar people but in a strange place (like a friend's house). Then maybe try a greyhound walk - Ty is much more confident when he's part of a big pack of greyhounds (my friend has 8 hounds so we have a big pack available).
Of course, if she's really distressed you can always get the vet on your side - when we first had Ty, he was so distressed away from home that he wouldn't wee - if we went away for a weekend we'd sometimes have to drive home in the middle so he could go! We tried a range of alternative and conventional medicines - none of the alternatives worked for him (DAP, Zylkene) but Diazepam (valium) relaxed him enough to wee and, for the first year, we had "campaign Ty" to get him through the fireworks. However he's much much better now, and he hasn't needed any medicines for over 2 years now.
They also get more confident with time - Ty is a different dog to the terrified bundle of nerves that we first took in, though you only see the "true" Ty when he's at home - that's the best place!
Good luck! :-D
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hersheme
New Member
Kitty (Hurry on Kitty) and Sadie (Duleek Sonia)
Posts: 40
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Post by hersheme on Oct 17, 2013 7:42:53 GMT
Hi Sue - you have no idea how tempted I would be to get more if I had room, not sure hubby would agree though! How many do you have?
Oh bless him, Ty sounds gorgeous, the wee story made me chuckle. He is certainly a lucky boy having gone to you. We have always carried Kitty's blanket with us and have just bought one for Sadie. Her name is actually Sonia but, for some reason, I kept calling her Sadie by mistake and she is now answering to it so we will stick with it. Fireworks, oh yes, we have that joy to look forward to!
It is such a pity as Sadie enjoys her walk when there is no-one around. It is very tempting to take her places where we are likely to not see anyone but I am not sure if that is the best strategy or not? I was wondering if we should initially while she is getting to know us and only introduce her to busier parks when she is more confident. What is your view?
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Post by sueb on Oct 17, 2013 9:56:27 GMT
Ah Bless, Sadie sounds adorable! Well done on having a second, so much more fun than one!
It sounds like she's doing brilliantly, already. I'm sure she will get used to the idea of people she doesn't know- they do have to get used to an awful lot of new, non kennel/racing situations at first.
Personally, I wouldn't avoid situations where there are people, but try to gently and gradually get her used to them. Having said that I was guilty of tending to avoid other dogs with Brennan, as he hated lively ones. (But later on fell in love with a very lively retriever puppy!)
Is there another sympathetic dog owner you meet, who would be willing to very gently stand near her and give her a few treats when you meet up by "surprise?" Like Sue, we have a nervous one (Brennan), who at first literally shook so much in any new situation outside of the home that people in the street would stare or comment! But he's made a lot of progress (although still won't jump into the car on his own!) When we first had him he freaked out at anything different on his walks (such as a bag full of leaves awaiting collection, a turned over traffic cone.) He will always be of a nervier disposition, but is a completely different dog from the shaking jelly he was every time we took him to a new situation.
Good luck with Sadie, let us know how you get on.
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hersheme
New Member
Kitty (Hurry on Kitty) and Sadie (Duleek Sonia)
Posts: 40
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Post by hersheme on Oct 17, 2013 16:19:05 GMT
Thats a good idea about a sympathetic dog owner, there is one that I see most mornings so I could have a word with her. Its funny you should say about Brennan shaking, Kitty is the queen of shakes, usually with excitement but very occasionally with nerves, but Sadie has not shook once. Kitty also chatters her teeth when she is happy, sometimes very loudly, and Sadie has done it a couple of times now when getting excited about going out. Well, I say that, what I mean is when Kitty is getting excited about going for a walk and Sadie is excited because Kitty is but doesnt really have a scooby why I have to say that it is heartening reading the comments from you both. I dont expect miracles with Sadie but to not have her trying to bolt home everytime she sees someone, or what she thinks may be someone but is in fact a tree moving, would be great. We just want her to be as happy as Kitty is. I will keep you posted on progress.
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Post by suethejam on Oct 17, 2013 18:00:00 GMT
We're of the mind that it does Ty good to get out and have new experiences, but not too many - we don't want to overwhelm him - he doesn't seem to get any more confident if we "flood" him with things he finds scary; but if we left him in his bed all day (his favourite) then we think he'd only get more withdrawn! It's a case of finding a balance!
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Deleted
Deleted Member
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Post by Deleted on Oct 18, 2013 13:31:50 GMT
With my previous dog, Dolly, who was extremely nervous I used to take her to my local Sainsburys and just sit outside so she could 'absorb' the environment. I am a great believer in letting them soak up situations in their own time. Eventually she looked forward to her 'therapy' as she made a lot of friends throughout the year. I'm currently adopting the same technique with my Kia who appears to have been starved of social contact in her previous home. Mr Ted comes along and 'supports' her - both physically and physiologically!! The good thing about this method is that you can withdraw at any time if the houndy shows any stress. Good luck!!
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Post by yvonned on Oct 20, 2013 14:49:33 GMT
We've a new kid on the block over our park, Sophie a fawn 8yr old greyhound who only came out of racing kennels 6 months ago. Her new mum is 85 yrs old but the neighbours walk her every morning, they love her dearly but don't want a dog of their own ( or so they say ). She was an absolute bundle of nerves 3 months ago, shied away from other dogs and people. I saw Sophie this morning, had my first stroke and the lady that walks her could stand and treat Sophie with about 3 other dogs, without any problems. We only stood chatting for about 5 mins but the girlie is coming out of her shell and it was lovely to see. I'm sure Sadie will grow in confidence, I think some dogs just need more time than others and after all it was Sadie that approached you. Perhaps she is just choosey or has impeccable taste LOL
Good Luck Yvonne
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Post by sueb on Oct 21, 2013 8:51:31 GMT
That's so lovely to hear,Yvonne.
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