Hi there.
We recently took in a one-year old Newfie, whom we named Mungo.
We were told the reason for rehoming him was allergies
But it turned out that the poor boy had been left outside all his life - no socialization, and no training.
(BTW we're not new to Newfies. We just recently lost our 12-year-old to cancer, and have a nearly 11-year-old rescue, whom I call a Newfie mess! He's small, has HD, but is such a sweetie.)
It was apparent our Mungo's the product of a backyard breeder. But we love him regardless.
He's scared of everything, objects and noises, and I mean everything - inside and outside.
He's actually been doing well with getting used to the 'monsters'. We've let him do it all at his pace - nice and slowly.
When we got him, he had a flat collar.
We soon found out he could back out of that in a flash.
So we put a Martingale on him, and did very small training sessions with him. He was doing good.
Then a couple of weeks ago, when playing, he started jumping on us and mouthing us. We got control of it then. But then he started challenging on leash, all the time. I'm pretty sure that's the adolescent in him? (He's not neutered yet. We do plan on doing it, but have just got him going willingly in to the vehicle. A trip to the vet is going to take a wee bit more time.)
After doing some research, we decided to try a prong collar on him. I've never had the need for one before, so have never used one, and was a bit nervous about it.
We live in the boonies, and I was very excited when I was told about a trainer not too far away from us. She would fit the collar properly, and show us the correct use.
We made a point of telling the trainer that Mungo was scared of everything, and we let him get used to the collar before even putting it on him.
When she did, and walked him, they came across an object our boy was scared of. And he stopped, and tried to pull out of the collar.
The trainer kept telling him to heel, with a light correction.
When he still didn't budge, she really yanked hard on it. And he yelped.
I lost it then. I don't believe there's ever any reason to use such force on a dog. I took the leash away from her, and led our even more scared dog away from her.
Since then, he's become scared of many of the things he'd already conquered. And is now barking at them.
I'm not sure what the right thing is to do now? I have put the leash back on him when he starts to bark, and taken him to what he considers is a safe place. (He does have a safe place in the house too.)
Should I only take him outside on leash for now?
I'm scared I'm going to make things even worse for him, so any advice would be greatly appreciated.
Other than the above, he's a sweetheart. Loves to lean in to me for pets, rubs, and hugs. And is so gentle taking treats, etc.
Sorry this is so long - didn't mean to write a book!
Who in their right mind could ignore this sweet boy!
ETA I remembered today I had a Thundershirt that we bought for one of our boys years ago.
It didn't work for him, but I'm hoping it might help Mungo even a little.
It's lying near his safe area (a pen - he doesn't like the crate), where he can get used to it.
Fingers crossed!
We recently took in a one-year old Newfie, whom we named Mungo.
We were told the reason for rehoming him was allergies
But it turned out that the poor boy had been left outside all his life - no socialization, and no training.
(BTW we're not new to Newfies. We just recently lost our 12-year-old to cancer, and have a nearly 11-year-old rescue, whom I call a Newfie mess! He's small, has HD, but is such a sweetie.)
It was apparent our Mungo's the product of a backyard breeder. But we love him regardless.
He's scared of everything, objects and noises, and I mean everything - inside and outside.
He's actually been doing well with getting used to the 'monsters'. We've let him do it all at his pace - nice and slowly.
When we got him, he had a flat collar.
We soon found out he could back out of that in a flash.
So we put a Martingale on him, and did very small training sessions with him. He was doing good.
Then a couple of weeks ago, when playing, he started jumping on us and mouthing us. We got control of it then. But then he started challenging on leash, all the time. I'm pretty sure that's the adolescent in him? (He's not neutered yet. We do plan on doing it, but have just got him going willingly in to the vehicle. A trip to the vet is going to take a wee bit more time.)
After doing some research, we decided to try a prong collar on him. I've never had the need for one before, so have never used one, and was a bit nervous about it.
We live in the boonies, and I was very excited when I was told about a trainer not too far away from us. She would fit the collar properly, and show us the correct use.
We made a point of telling the trainer that Mungo was scared of everything, and we let him get used to the collar before even putting it on him.
When she did, and walked him, they came across an object our boy was scared of. And he stopped, and tried to pull out of the collar.
The trainer kept telling him to heel, with a light correction.
When he still didn't budge, she really yanked hard on it. And he yelped.
I lost it then. I don't believe there's ever any reason to use such force on a dog. I took the leash away from her, and led our even more scared dog away from her.
Since then, he's become scared of many of the things he'd already conquered. And is now barking at them.
I'm not sure what the right thing is to do now? I have put the leash back on him when he starts to bark, and taken him to what he considers is a safe place. (He does have a safe place in the house too.)
Should I only take him outside on leash for now?
I'm scared I'm going to make things even worse for him, so any advice would be greatly appreciated.
Other than the above, he's a sweetheart. Loves to lean in to me for pets, rubs, and hugs. And is so gentle taking treats, etc.
Sorry this is so long - didn't mean to write a book!
Who in their right mind could ignore this sweet boy!
ETA I remembered today I had a Thundershirt that we bought for one of our boys years ago.
It didn't work for him, but I'm hoping it might help Mungo even a little.
It's lying near his safe area (a pen - he doesn't like the crate), where he can get used to it.
Fingers crossed!
Last edited:
