Post by DennisS on May 12, 2005 19:51:36 GMT -5
Thank God for this site!!!
Good evening all. My real name happens to be Dennis, and my story of woa begins. Have mercy on me, as this might be a complicated and long problem.
We (Wife and family) adopted (rescued), an "ALL AMERICAN", mixed breed dog from the shelter. "Shelly" was schueled to be euthanised the next day. The best we can tell she is a Golden Retriever and Red bone hound.
The best information we could obtain is that Shelly was abdoned, not once, but twice. We ascertained (by the Vet), that her age was around two. Let me add that Shelly is the most lovable and humorous dog I have ever met, and just plain fun to be around. So many of other folks have said it is evident that she was abused. GOD FORBID! I was so saddend to hear that because we have provided her a good home and life. And yes, I am appalled that some one else would abuse such a good, and loving dog.
Like good owners, we taken Shelly to the local lake, to have her romp around with other well behaved dogs, only to discover that she is EXTREMEMLY frightened of them, and lacked any social skills. She is afraid of the water, getting wet, and other dogs running up to her to say "HI". And this is *ONLY* the beginning of my Shelly's problems.
When we brought her home, and to this day, we gave her the run of the house. Furniture, beds...anyplace she wanted to be, was hers, as we felt so bad for her mis-treatment in the past by idiot people who wanted her for more sinister reasons.
Roughly, about 1 1/2 years ago, (6 months after we brought her home), she started developing an aggressive attitude towards my wife and me. When we would go to pet her, she would growl. Mostly, when she was asleep on the couch, and happen to awake her by the petting. She showed us right quick that she did not like that. "OK", I thought, we can still be friends!
My wife, (Diane), who is a consumate dog lover, and hates to see any animal suffer, went with the flow. Diane has taken the attitude when Shelly growled, that it was funny, and just ignored it.
The growling has increased. For example: Quite recently, Shelly has been laying next to me, (on the couch), and I reached out to pet her. She had been asleep, and snarled, and show teeth. OK...*I* was pissed!!! HOW DARE HER!!! This was not the first time she has showed teeth to me. My atitude ws..."Oh well, it's just Shelly and her attitude".
Shelly has shown quite possissive food , bone, and toy possiveness. For example, (The family joke is for us not to look at her food bowl, and to shield our face from looking at it), as, she will growl. And this has gotten worse. Last night, Shelly stared at me with "Whale eyes". I am tired of her growling and snarling, and fake biting,.
I have started NILIF tonight, in hopes that she is salvageable. My wife is agreement, except fot the food. She hates to have her hungry.
Any input to this will be more than appreciated. And thanks in advance for your replies.
Dennis
(BTW) The best I can ascertain is that Shelly is confused in the social order of the family pack, and who is the real ALPHA! ( I let het assume this position, MY BAD!!!!) It needs to be corrected
Good evening all. My real name happens to be Dennis, and my story of woa begins. Have mercy on me, as this might be a complicated and long problem.
We (Wife and family) adopted (rescued), an "ALL AMERICAN", mixed breed dog from the shelter. "Shelly" was schueled to be euthanised the next day. The best we can tell she is a Golden Retriever and Red bone hound.
The best information we could obtain is that Shelly was abdoned, not once, but twice. We ascertained (by the Vet), that her age was around two. Let me add that Shelly is the most lovable and humorous dog I have ever met, and just plain fun to be around. So many of other folks have said it is evident that she was abused. GOD FORBID! I was so saddend to hear that because we have provided her a good home and life. And yes, I am appalled that some one else would abuse such a good, and loving dog.
Like good owners, we taken Shelly to the local lake, to have her romp around with other well behaved dogs, only to discover that she is EXTREMEMLY frightened of them, and lacked any social skills. She is afraid of the water, getting wet, and other dogs running up to her to say "HI". And this is *ONLY* the beginning of my Shelly's problems.
When we brought her home, and to this day, we gave her the run of the house. Furniture, beds...anyplace she wanted to be, was hers, as we felt so bad for her mis-treatment in the past by idiot people who wanted her for more sinister reasons.
Roughly, about 1 1/2 years ago, (6 months after we brought her home), she started developing an aggressive attitude towards my wife and me. When we would go to pet her, she would growl. Mostly, when she was asleep on the couch, and happen to awake her by the petting. She showed us right quick that she did not like that. "OK", I thought, we can still be friends!
My wife, (Diane), who is a consumate dog lover, and hates to see any animal suffer, went with the flow. Diane has taken the attitude when Shelly growled, that it was funny, and just ignored it.
The growling has increased. For example: Quite recently, Shelly has been laying next to me, (on the couch), and I reached out to pet her. She had been asleep, and snarled, and show teeth. OK...*I* was pissed!!! HOW DARE HER!!! This was not the first time she has showed teeth to me. My atitude ws..."Oh well, it's just Shelly and her attitude".
Shelly has shown quite possissive food , bone, and toy possiveness. For example, (The family joke is for us not to look at her food bowl, and to shield our face from looking at it), as, she will growl. And this has gotten worse. Last night, Shelly stared at me with "Whale eyes". I am tired of her growling and snarling, and fake biting,.
I have started NILIF tonight, in hopes that she is salvageable. My wife is agreement, except fot the food. She hates to have her hungry.
Any input to this will be more than appreciated. And thanks in advance for your replies.
Dennis
(BTW) The best I can ascertain is that Shelly is confused in the social order of the family pack, and who is the real ALPHA! ( I let het assume this position, MY BAD!!!!) It needs to be corrected