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Originally Posted by yorkietalkjilly  Oh, I think this is real progress. Keep up whatever you are doing, it's making him feel safe again and he's beginning to see things have changed and starting to heal. He'll get there - it's just that some dogs with troubled histories with humans have been through so much loss of trust, they just are quick to lose all of it all over again in their interactions with humans when things worry or frighten them. All rescues don't have the same history or even react the same to things that happen to them - just like people don't all react to trauma or trouble the same way.
I think you two are on the right track and if he were my dog, I'd keep ignoring him, allowing him to heal and begin to trust again(he got there during his bath!) and start to seek you out once he's more recovered and less anxious. I'd love to have the challenge of this dog and watch him come back to gain a wonderful relationship with humans again and count my successes more in terms of months rather than day-by-day and if he were actively seeking me out in a couple of months, I'd see that as a huge step forward and not worry so much how he's acting today or next week.
It's hard - but I'd take it at the dog's pace he sets - no need to speed things up - and allow him to make all the gestures of approaching and interaction and you will be able to tell when he's hungry for human companionship again and in time, even reward that and he'll begin to see it as a good thing in his life and learn he can fully trust you and humans again. Bless his heart - and yours - you've had a rocky time, but you are hanging in there in spite of being worried about being bitten by a scared and anxious dog and still wanting to help him! I'd say you are exceptional - have the inner desire and determination to hang it all out there for a troubled dog and I so admire that attitude and heart. So many people would have already given up on the dog but you have made it clear, you are going to help him. Thank you for helping these poor rescue dogs! |
Hi and thanks for your support. I feel like I know you. Well, yesterday I was gone for about 5 hours and of course Brodie was holed up in the bathroom when I returned. I totally ignored him and the little bugger didn't come out until supper time. He's not going to miss the table treats.lol He did come out two times into the room where I was sitting, looked at me, then ran back to his room. I really do have to laugh at his antics. It's like he's baiting me to see if I'l notice him. A couple of days ago he actually ran with my two other dogs out the front door to bark. I think he's trying to act like a REAL dog. Little things like that that are out of character make my efforts worthwhile. Also acted like he wanted to play when I nudged his mouth with my hand by playfully chewing on my hand. Little things mean a lot when you have such a withdrawn little boy. I really wish I knew what had happened in his other homes. I think the people I got him from really cared about him because they came to visit him after I had had him for a couple of months and he was glad to see them. I just think he was alone so much and they also boarded him fairly often. I can just imagine how that was for the poor boy with his anxieties and fearfulness. I've only gone on trips twice since I had him and I took him and my other two dogs with me. I thought he would cower in a corner and be upset, but he actually seemed pretty relaxed with the situation and interacted with my family much better than I expected.