Will my rescued doodle ever get over the fears he came with???

[Frances Pendrous (Horan)]

Hello friends. Just waned to put this one out there. Last week, we rescued "Johnny". Thankfully, the wonderful Doodle Rescue pulled him from a kill shelter, paid for all his surgical needs (to which I am running a fund raiser to help off-set some of the costs) and placed him with a wonderful foster mum, who I eventually obtained him from. He is young...perhaps 12 months as per my vet...but he has a few hang ups and fears and I am wondering if they will ever go away with time and love.

[Nancy, Ned, Clancy, and Charlie]

I think you will be amazed at the changes time and security will make for Johnny.  You have such an amazing Frankie that I just know you will be able to accomplish great things with him also.

[Frances Pendrous (Horan)]

Thanks Nancy. I am sure we will win him over in the end. Frankie Girl is such a big mush ball and does not have one ounce of fear in her entire 90 lb body. Mind you, she is not turning her nose up to her food anymore since Johnny Boy came in ha ha. She gobbles her food up quickly now as she knows he is just waiting for her to walk away with her nose in the air, like she used too..ha ha. His fear of coyotes may always be so deep rooted that they change and that is sad as we do live in the canyon and they are part of our daily life. She ignores them like they are not even there and poor Johnny is shaking under the table...Hopefully, all of this may one day be a distant memory. Thanks for the reminder. I will update my profile right now.

[Karen, Jasper and Jackdoodle]

I think the fear of the coyotes will subside when he realizes that nothing bad happens to him when they howl, and Frankie being calm about it will help, too. Soon, it may just be like background noise to him.

A lot of dogs don't like to be embraced or hugged, especially when they haven't yet learned to trust the person. It makes them feel trapped and may trigger a fight or flight response. And it's very common for some dogs to dislike being petted on the head, or have hands reaching out over their heads, again particularly if they aren't sure of the person. Jack doesn't like to be touched on the head. It's usuallyadvised that you stroke a dog on his chest rather than the top of the head.

He will learn to trust you and the safety of his new home. It usually takes at least a month for the dog to adjust and feel safe. I would try to keep to a very predictable routine, try to limit new visitors for a little while, and let him learn the rhythms of daily life in his new home, and get to know his new family members.

 

[Adina P]

I think so.  He may need some counter-conditioning and work to help him, but you can very likely help him.  What fears does he have?

[Frances Pendrous (Horan)]

Hi Adina. Our Johnny is very nervous when cuddled and actually growls. He adores to be kissed and stroked but it is when you sort of get above him he growls. Of course, this is strange behavior to us as our Frankie Girl, is so mushy we have never heard her growl, but I am sure it may go away when he gets to see we are no threat to him. The biggest sadness is that he is terrified when he hears the coyotes howling outside. He hides under the table and shakes. We live in a canyon so they are truly a part of our world. I am sure he was chased by them when out on the road for as long as he was, but I was wondering if he will ever lose this terrible fear?

[Karen, Jasper and Jackdoodle]

My Jack was just a bundle of fears when I adopted him, and time and love have truly made them a thing of the past. What kinds of issues are you seeing with Johnny?

[Sue Robin F]

Moses was a rescue from a terrible puppymill at 16 months. He had never lived in a house and he was extremely fearful.

He was afraid of noises, he was afraid of quick movements, he was afraid to eat, etc. He took time, but eventually he overcame most of his fears. If he now becomes fearful over something he recovers almost immediately.

He had never growled at people, so I did not have that experience.

I wish you much luck. Congratulations on your new addition.

[todd]

i think so....

we got piper at 4.5 months from someone who couldn't keep him. they hadn't had him long, but previously he was in a cage at a petstore for the first 4mos of his life. he was extremely timid and weak and had few liaisons and a bad ear infection. also wouldn't go through door-ways, wouldn't go up stairs, or even walk up inclines on a hike. but within a few months he'd made huge strides and 6 months later he was over everything and really starting to experience things.

just takes some time. but he'll be fine. as far as growling when you're over him, i think that's normal. piper refused  to rollover or give up his back for a few months, but now he's always stretched out on his back and has no problems at all being a submissive position.

[Doris]

My mom has a rescue who was terrified of everything when she arrived.  She was especially afraid of men, but would "vibrate" whenever someone came into the house.  It took some time, but Sophie now loves all friends and family members who visit.  She even puts up with Bodi . . . . we all love Sophie and feel so badly about whatever happened in her past.

 

I think Johnny will do just fine with lots of love and direction!!  Keep us posted!

[Frances Pendrous (Horan)]

Thanks Adrianne. He is getting better by the day with regards to being overly hugged. As you said, we all need to learn about each other etc. and he needs to learn how to trust again. He is fitting in wonderfully with our family and I know he was the right choice as a sibling to our Frankie Girl.

The fund raiser is going great as I am making and selling Valentine's Candy and of course, a few cute pics of Johnny Boy really makes everyone get a sweet tooth....

[Becky, Chili & Guiness]

When we adopted Chili last March, he was very timid and afaid of everything and everybody.  He was in an abusive situation for the first two years of his life, and then the second two he was with a nice, but busy family, who kept him teathered in the back yard for hours on end.  It took several months, but once he figured out we would not allow him to be hurt or abandoned, he's a changed boy... so friendly and secure around others.  We adopted our second LD a couple of weeks ago (we're new parents, too!).  The first tme we tried to take him for a ride, we had to pick up his 50 lb butt, then peel his braced legs off of the outside of the car.  Today, after only 2 weeks, with no other rides since (bad weather, no doodle seat belts), we had this elaborate planmade up for how we were going to coax him into the car.  Well, the surprise was on us.  My husband opened the back door, and before I'd even gotten into the front seat to coerce him in with a Blue cookie (his favorite), he jumped in, ahead of Chili!  I'm sure it's just because he is loved so much that he has learned to trust us already.  I'm sure Johnny will feel the same way soon, especially with big sis as a mentor.

[Frances Pendrous (Horan)]

Oh such a sweet story Becky. Thank you for sharing and congratulations on your new "baby". It is amazing how a few weeks of tender loving care can change their personalities. My Johnny is making huge strides and hopefully, his sordid past will all be a very distant memory...if any.  Good luck and enjoy your four-legged kids x