We have driven around to the shelters and rescue organizations in the area and have looked at a few different dogs. None of them worked out for one reason or another; not well with cats, health problems that we were not ready to take on, or they were just not a good match for Domino. Well finally we met Lucy, she seemed about perfect based on the little that they knew about her plus she played great with Domino right away! So, we agreed to adopt her, set her up to be spayed, and drove out to get her last friday.
Well we got home and...different dog! She is fear aggressive in the house, possessive of everything; food, treats, toys, us even! She has very little interest in Domino or playing. She is showing signs of separation anxiety and barks loudly when she is in her kennel. (by the way, I have worked with a lot of dogs and these problems are among the few that I have never dealt with personally...of course!) Aahhh, what do we do?!
She is such a sweetheart and already attached to us, but not at all what we were looking for. Do we try expensive in-home training and hope that she is able to get along with Domino and go on park trips? Or, do we try to find her a more suitable home; specifically one with no other dogs and a person she can have sole attachment to? This would be easier if it wasn't for Domino, we really were looking for a playmate for him and it feels unfair to try to make her work when we could find her a better home and find a better match for him. But, what if the home we find her isn't better, what if she grows into this home and they become BFF? I don't know what to do.....help!
ps: we renamed her Zindle and I love the name, it fits her for some reason :)
3 comments:
oh man! Thats a tough one. Honestly, I'm all for giving it a whole hearted try, but it might not be fair for Domino. I think I'd find a new home for her and go back to finding a more laid back friend.
She is beautiful. I don't know how long you've had her but she may calm with time and reinforcment of her positve behaviors. I've found 2weeks is the magic number but some take longer to acclimate. So she was okay at her previous home? There's lots of info online for simple in-home training methods and I love the show "It's me or the dog." She offers common sense training and I've used many of her suggestions with success.
uuuuuuh wow, that is tough! I have no idea what I would do in this situation. Well, actually, I would probably give her more time. More time to calm down and acclimate. Sorry I don't have a better suggestion, but I don't think that attempting to find her a new home right now is not the answer. I know you are frustrated- just give it a bit more time to become "ho hum life" and maybe she will fit in a little more!! Good luck!
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