| chuey | 04-01-2008 07:06 PM |
I feel your pain, but haven't gone through what you have...
Hello Proud Mommy,
First of all, let me start by saying, I am so sorry to hear about your frustration. I totally understand. Nothing can replace the "damage" the poor dog has caused, but I see things a little different than most people here. You wanted opinions, so here's mine.
I totally support you if you feel you need to rehome the dog. However, you sound like a very smart and dedicated woman who obviously feels something for this girl or else you wouldn't have come this far; and therefore I believe, that you believe you can rehabilitate her yourself! I'm serious! It sounds like you've tried trainers and contacting Cesar. But obviously, she is the type that seems as though she is going to respond to you before anybody else. I personally went through this so I am not talking out of my you know what!!
Sorry, but the trainer saying the yorkies are the cause, is wrong. I have had 5 dogs at a time!! Two LARGE shepherds, Diablo 85lbs, and Ginger 75lbs, and three yorkies. However, the shepherds were used more for protection and lived inside/outside, brick wall all around back yard and metal gate. Yorkies were indoors. Harmony, with any dog breed mixes is totally possible. I know, I know, I watch too much Cesar...
I had Diablo first from 6 wks of age. Later, we RESCUED Ginger at 18 months of age. I had no idea what to expect. And boy did it take a lot of work. But I think the key was that Diablo was a very balanced dog, (tooting my own horn here), which in turn helped Ginger calm down. She was totally OUT OF CONTROL and afraid of the WHOLE WORLD when she first came to us. But I believed in her and her desire to live. She had obviously been beaten because she would jump and cower at everything. Yet, she was VERY dog aggresive, (wasn't worried though cuz Diablo could handle his own, lol). So what did I do? I got her on a serious, serious exercise regimine. I walked her EVERYDAY, the same way, on the same side, with the same leash; her and Diablo on each side of me. We later got on a running schedule and from here she grew to trust me and family. I fed her wherever I wanted her to feel comfortable and put my hands in the food and all that stuff. She turned into quite possibly the best dog I will ever have. This is the short story version though, it took a lot, lot, lot of work. But if I CHOSE to rescue her, I owed it to her didn't I? The rescue could care less; she needed meds for her hips for a long time at first too!! They were no help at all!
Anyway, I got way off track but I believe that if you are really committed to her, you can do it!! Get her exercising A LOT more! Seems she has a high pray drive and won't quit at nothing! You be in charge! Get a choke collar when you walk her and "pop" it the way Cesar shows on his show, it will work. I used mirrors a lot to train my dogs; so I could see if they would move behind my back after I gave them a command and I stopped the action immediately, (sounds crazy, but it really worked!)!! I also read How to be Your Dog's Best Friend, by the Monks of New Skete; it's an awesome read.
Maybe I said a lot you didn't want to hear and sorry if so. But your story touched my heart and I feel for both of you...and the yorks. PM me if you wanna chat some more about it or just vent. Good luck to you and her. Don't give up, she needs you!! | 