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Originally Posted by Mary Edith  Hi Matese, we had a terrier cross for 13 years and we knew her ways inside out. Now we are finding our feet with this new boy. Not sure about his history but he can be defensive, and seems fearful. So we are trying to reassure him he is safe. He does guard his toys but I am not sure if he is playing or being aggressive. |
I also have a rescue he was 2 1/2 when I adopted him, he boned with me overnight. I had to visit my vet the next day, he knew my met and the staff because that is where I got him from, when we got into the exam room he climbed up my body onto my shoulder like a parrot lol, my vet was amazed at how fast he trusted me. With rescues, not knowing their past, how they were treated or "mistreated", it takes time for a dog to bond, build trust in his new humans, and regain his confidence. I am very fortunate to know my boys past and am still in contact with his prev. owner. My boy was gotten for a 8 yo child. He had no toys, no chew things. They didn't want this dog to play with anything but the child, this little girl doted on this dog, carried him around like he was a baby. The dog became very sick, the mom just had a baby and had no finances for medical care for the dog, so he had to go. When I got him I knew nothing about his past for the first 4 weeks I had him. I bought him every kind of toy because I didn't know what he liked, he played with nothing, not even a ball. I couldn't entice him with anything. Then I spoke to the prev, owner and discovered he never had a toy, or any chews. So off I went to buy him chews and that is what he guarded. If he was chewing his body would stiffen up if I walked near him, you could tell he was afraid it was going to be taken away from him. I would tell him goooood boy you have your chewy. I would not walk near him when he had his chew, and would always tell him what a good boy he was. After a week I would stroke his back, his body would stiffen, so only 2 strokes and I left him alone. To get him away from his chew I would offer him a treat, then I would pick up the chew and put it away and give it to him the next day, I only let him chew for an hour. I did this about 3 weeks, I would let him chew in disturbed for 30 minutes, then I would stroke his back always saying gooood boy Cody has his chewy. After 3 weeks he saw I was not going to take his chew away, now after 3 years he is not obsessed with his chews, he plays with them a lot then chews a bit.
Your boy may never had, had any toys and that's he "may" be guarding them out of fear they will be taken from him, I would leave him alone when he's with his toys, but, have a ball that you keep that is NOT one of HIS toys, roll or toss it and play with him and just that ball.
You only have him 5 days, he is still adjusting to his new home, new humans, new routine, if you took him out and he scratches at the door maybe he needs to stay out longer, I would harness him up and take him out again.
When I got my boy I didn't know what words were used for pooping and peeing, I have always used the word poo-poo and pee-pee, every time Cody peed I would clap my hands and say gooood boy, Cody made a pee-pee, same thing for when he pooped. When we are inside I ask him do you have to MAKE a pee pee, or poo poo, now all I say is do you have to MAKE and off to the door he heads. Maybe you can train him that way to ley you know needs more, longer outside time.
It takes some rescues months to gain trust that they are in their forever home. Do not scold him in harsh tones, speak to him gently, he will come around in his time on his terms, do not force him into anything you see he does not want to do.
Training basic commands help in bonding with dogs, sit, stay, come, leave it, drop . Give high value treats when he gets it right, lots of praise, happy dance and clapping your hands to show him how pleased you are when he gets things right. Lots of patience is key to gaining his trust and confidence in his new family.