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Originally Posted by jsbart  I am so enjoying everyone's participation in my ongoing solution to my Brodie's problems. I have thought so much about why he started acting this way when he was so different when I first adopted him. Since he came from a home (his last one) where the owners were gone all day and also boarded him fairly often, I'm wondering if by showing him so much attention and being with him all day I somehow caused him to withdraw from me. Maybe when he felt at home it allowed him to feel free to do what suited him best which was to withdraw from me.
I decided to leave the bathroom open for him today and he's been in there quite a lot, but has come out from time to time. I don't think I've mentioned that he has a bad itching problem which I wonder might also be related to his extreme anxiety. I have, after trying many things, found a shampoo called Douxo which has helped his skin a lot. No longer has the irritated, red skin and the greasy fur with the bad smell. He still scratches a lot, but the vet said his skin looked really good. I have to bathe him every 5 days and today was his bath day which wasn't a good scene. He was scared to the point of biting (had to wear gloves) and actually pooped in the bath tub. I remained calm and after soaping him down and massaging him a lot he finally calmed down enough for me to finish. I just hate that he feels so threatened, but hopefully time and patience will make things better. He did come and sit with me right after the bath so I guess he realized that I didn't mean any harm. He never used to have a problem with the bath so I know my attempts to make him submit are responsible for the way he's acting. I've tried to ignore him except when he makes the move to be with me so he won't feel pressured to stay with me if he doesn't want to. I've always had the opposite problem with other dogs in that they want to jump in your lap every time you sit down. He's just so very different. BUT I STILL LOVE HIM. |
Perhaps your other dogs weren't as damaged psychologically as this one is or they were just calmer, more submissive dogs by nature. All doggies are so very different and of course, their past experiences with other homes and those experiences with us and how we handle them do have a direct bearing on how they behave. It sounds like you two are making a new beginning and this one will no doubt forge a wonderful, trusting, close and lasting relationship that holds a ton of love and you will have the heart peace in knowing that you saved this little boy and gave him a wonderful, loving life in your home. Rescue dogs usually are a load of work but ,oh, how worth the time and frustrations are once they are rehabilitated!!! Smile a lot, relax and build a new life together.
