Help with New Doodle Rescue

[Elaine]

I own a Labradoodle who is amazing, as amazing as everyone says they are and seem to be.  We just rescued a 2 year old Labradoodle who is equally amazing except he growls strangers, children, or people who come into our house, and people he sees on the street, etc.  We have only had Fen for 3 days.  I can't expose him much at this point because the owner can't remember the Vet he took him to or find his shot records......and needless to say I have to be cautious at this point until he's had his shots which won't be until this week.

I really would be so encouraged to hear from people that have rescued "not so perfect" dogs and have stories of encouragement for me as they have turned their dog around.  I do not want to compare my dogs, as Leo was with us since a puppy at 10 weeks.  Fen is a 2 year old, unuetered boy, who is very loving and great with myself, husband and son.  Our initial greet in his home came with growls as well.  The owner handed me a 30 foot cable and said wow he never growls.  He hasn't growled at me since, once with my husband, never with my son.  He now lays under us and rolls over in a totally submissive position.  I am now beginning to think this is possibly the reason they've given him to me, as he is great in every other way, manners, housebroke non food agressive.  He wans't walked much, but in only three days is doing much better than our first day!  I already see progress....just not progress with the growling at people.

[Jane, Guinness and Murphy]

Can you tell by his body language at the point when he's growling if it's "fear based" or if he is being territorial/aggressive.  He has only been with you for three days, so he may be feeling very insecure right now.  Do you have any information about Fen's background?

[Elaine]

At his house I felt it was territorial but....no teeth, no hair raising, just who are you and what are you doing.  Now at our house, same thing.  What I did notice is with confident people who I ask to ignore him he eventually comes around with no problem.  I just need to see if it is consistent. Thankfully my neighbor and my sons friends are willing participants.  I agree with the three days though.  I am not expecting miracles yet.....I do believe with the proper training & attention he will be fine.  Leo & Fen act as if they have been brought up together, which is one hurdle...now for the baby steps.

He comes from a home who frequently left him alone, in the yard tied up.  When there were visitors they removed him from the area and tied him up or put him in a room by himself.  Also no lease walking.  It seemed the only excersise was from going in the yard.  The neighbor speaks highly of him and does know that he is well  behaved with other dogs.  She came with me to pick him up & was also surprised by his growls but admits she made friends with him over the fence.  We abosolutely believe there was no physical abuse....just a lack of attention & training.

[Jane, Guinness and Murphy]

It does sound like with some training and confidence building he'll be just fine.  He's just got to learn that "you've got his back".  I do think it's important that you establish yourselves (the whole family) as his leaders, so if it were me I'd make him sit and wait for his food...go out the door first, etc.  If he sees that you are in control, that should go a long way towards alleviating some of that fear that he has right now.  I also agree that training is going to be important.  Also, if it were me I would definitely verbally correct the growling and immediately put him in a sit.  When he's calm and not growling, I'd praise and reward him.  For now, I'd also have visitors ignore him at first....let him go up to them when he's ready.  Poor guy...it sounds like he just hasn't had much practice with meeting new people.  I think it's wonderful that you've adopted Fen...he's lucky to be part of a loving family.  Please keep us posted.

[Jane, Rooney & Stuart]

I can't offer you any help here but as I am going to be picking up a rescue puppy myself tomorrow I can only say thank you for taking Fen and giving him a better life!  I'll be watching for updates.

[Elaine]

Good luck with your puppy! I can speak from experience from a puppy stand point, proper training and love they are amazing dogs!  I wish you the best, and thank you.

[Clifford, Cloud, Jake..and Kim]

Jane - did I miss this??  Are you fostering or adopting?  Congratulations!

[Laurie, Fudge, and Vern]

Hi Elaine, A few years ago we rescued a 10 year old Lab and I don't think you really see their true personality for a few weeks. Fen has gone from a place where he was comfortable and what he knew to a totally new place where he does not know what is expected of him. He is scared. Our Vern (who we have had from 9 weeks) is a growler and a big chicken. He growls when he is unsure and scared. I think you have to give Fen time to realize he is here to stay and access his personality after that. Meanwhile, I would be consistent, loving and patient with him. We ended up working with a trainer with our rescue dog, who came with lots of quirks, but who we ended up loving like nobody's business. Good luck and thank you for helping this dog!

[Lynne Fowler-Oodles of Doodles]

Most growling and even biting and snapping is fear based. If you have only had him a short time, as he becomes more comfortable, the growling will stop. I have a fear based growler and it took time but now he is wonderful. I used a firm prompt phrase, "No, growley," and treated or praised him when he stopped. And each time he growled, I said it, now he knows the phrase and any time I say it, he stops. He may be growling because he was rewarded with people leaving him alone when he did it when he was younger, so he conditioned himself to believe that is how to get what he wanted...basically people and even other dogs to back off. As long as he is not biting or snapping, you can recondition him. But it does take time.

[Laurie, Fudge, and Vern]

Lynne, Thank you for this information.

[Elaine]

Thank you.  That really does make me feel better.  I have researched and there are so many pieces of advice out there my head is spinning.  I do understand this will take time, I just want to handle this correctly.  I do believe this is a fear based growl.  I will take your advice on just telling him "no" or even a "ehh" which he is responding to and backing it up with a treat.  Thank you

[Adrianne Matzkin]

Congratulations on rescuing a doodle that needed you!!

We (at DRC) always tell a foster or adoptive family that a dog needs at least 2 weeks to settle in. It has only been 3 days - it may be too much too soon. Try not to stop on your walks - since he wasn't walked much before THAT is so new, you are new, your street is new, the sounds are new = overload on his senses. Think of it this way, you are taken from your bed, flown to a country where you don't know the language, (no cell phone either) and be expected to get a job and earn a living - all within a few days. I can only assume that is how a rescue dog must think.

If this was my dog, I would look for an in-home positive trainer to come and see him - your entire family has to be there. The trainer will be the best person to advise you how to introduce Fen to strangers and work with any other issues you might have. 

As a quick note, never let a stranger to him attempt to pet him on the top of his head, always under the chin and that is after they allow him to sniff them and let him get used to them being there.

in NOT PROFESSIONAL mind - it sounds like he was not socialized enough as a puppy. He may be 'frightened' of all the new things he is being exposed to. If Fen were a puppy, I would suggest what I did with my girls to help them with the all 'new' but since he is a 2 year old, I highly suggest an trainer.

If the former family can't remember the vet they took him to, chances are he hasn't seen a vet in quite awhile.

Just give him time, he will settle in. A friend of mine who is a trainer and works with shelters has said to me time and time again -  in 2 weeks their true personalities come out, prior to that they are so unsure and confused. I have personally seen that with fosters that come through my home.

 

[Elaine]

Thank you.  I am so lucky to have this support from all of you!  For that I am greatful.  I also am lucky, as I have trained Leo with the same trainer since he was a puppy.  We were his first class when he moved here from out of state and have been with him ever since for 4 years.  The trainer now has Leo and I assist him in his classes when he is in need of additional help and we have organized a Therapy group in the area. I have talked to him and introduced him to Fen he is definitely willing to help us in any way possible.  

Leo has become an amazing Therapy dog and has brought so much joy and happiness to others.  I know this will be a long gradual process for Fen but am confident we will all get through it.