Need advice on behaviour

[Lucy & Wilsons mom]

Has anyone any suggestions. Got Wilson 8 weeks ago. Not sure if treated badly or just negligently but was 6 mths of age when he arrived and was terrified of dogs, cats, people, infact of everything and I dont mean scared I mean terrified. First day he snarled at me when I touched his ear (wet himself at same time), second day he went for my hubby when he pulled on his collar to put him in the kitchen for the night. When called he would only come very hesitantly, almost crawling with tail between legs as though he was expecting to be hit. Anyway he came on in leaps and bounds, much more confident, can meet strange dogs quite happily and never showed any more aggression, even though I have been taking toys from his mouth, even bones etc. It look longer to be totally calm about his ears but now anyone can touch them and you wouldnt know he ever had a problem. Infact he has become my velcro dog. But today he unnerved me, he found a kleenex and wouldnt let go, so I pulled out of his mouth and he snapped at me. I smacked his nose and he went to snap again. I shouted at him then waited and called him over and he acted like nothing had happened.
I've had dogs since I was a child, puppies and lots of mixed up rehomes with problems and managed to retrain them but Ive never had a newfoundland as a puppy, only had a grown up rescue. I also have Wilsons sister from same litter but I got her when she was 8 weeks old and she is "Miss Confidence" but has never shown any aggression. Do you think this is the teenage years thing or just a setback. I'm worried I may not be able to trust him now, yet he has been a total sweetheart since the first 2 days. Should I be worried?

 

[Kodiak]

If only Wilson could talk and tell you about his first 6 months. Poor thing for being so scared Sounds like alot of patience and TLC are in order. When he feels that he can trust you and knows he's loved and that no harm is going to come to him, I'm sure he'll return the Newfie love twofold. Keep us posted on his progress

Brenda and Kodi

 

[Sound Bay Newfs]

You really seem to have worked wonders with Wilson! I'm sure like anything, though, progress does not go in a steady up hill trend. There is bound to be set backs. With so much progress, he may just need a little more time before his confidence is fully cemented. You have not had him very long. It would seem that if you keep doing what you are doing, he should be OK. You must be doing something right, or you would not have got this far.

 

[misamala00]

From what you've told I'd say it's a teenage thing. Aparently he's gone so far from being scared and submissive that now he started to think he could be the boss (that's pretty normal in growing boys).
I'd say treat him like any dog that has a dominance issue - you can find plenty of advise on this board. But nevertheless keep in mind that he'd had some bad experiences in his life already. You should thry to keep him submissive to you, but stil selfconfident. I'd say with a lot of love and gentelness - I never felt the need to physically submit my dogs - mentaly was enough (but I only had females, males could be different).

I agree with others - you have come so far, I guess you must be doing the right things, so I'm sure you'll find the way to balance between keeping his selfconfidence and not letting him be the boss.

Good luck and keep us posted
Mirjam & Misha

 

[Annie Milliron]

While reading your post, I kept thinking to myself... something very bad must have happened to Wilson before he came to you. The fact that you have his littermate, and she doesn't exhibit any of these behaviors makes me more convinced.

It's so easy to humanize dog's fears and emotions... I do it all the time. It would be so easy to feel sorry for him and make excuses for him... but you didn't do that.

Instead, you've done a wonderful job in getting Wilson as far as you have. I'm sure you were heartsick when he snapped at you yesterday. However, I wouldn't let it consume you. I would continue as you have. Wilson sounds like he's got a lot of potential, and with your love and patience, and firmness, I'm certain he will shine!

Hang in there!

Annie

 

[Lucy & Wilsons mom]

Thanks for all your encouragement. I feel a lot better today. I think I just felt unnerved because it was so unexpected when he snapped and he didnt have the excuse of being fearful this time either. Anyway going to put it behind me and carry on. Will post some pictures when my son shows me how!
thanks again.

 

[brady]

Brady recently had an adolescent "spell", he snapped at both my husband and myself. I cried, actually my husband was as upset because this is not Brady. Since the "spell" he has been his old self again. I think I learned from my teenagers (who are now in their 20's), that I am (or think I am) the boss .
Like everyone else said though we really don't know what Wilson (I love that name) was put through as a baby. You are doing a great job. Take care

 

[dbradley]

Sounds like you are doing a great job! Don't get too down about it.

I too love the name Wilson because it reminds me of the volleyball in that Tom Hanks movie!

Do you have kids? Just wondering. Thought maybe you didn't because you were willing to take on such a difficult problem. If you do, how do you handle him around the kids?

 

[Lucy & Wilsons mom]

Nutzycat, I named Wilson after the ball in the movie

He was called Bruce, but we tend to call Lucy, Luce (or Lucifer when her behaviour warrants it!) so it was too confusing. He suits Wilson, hes sort of dopey and clumsy yet somehow regal. I dont have little kids anymore, two boys aged 16 and 14 so dont have to watch them with the dogs!

 

[Lucy & Wilsons mom]

Just to thank you all once again for your encouragement with Wilson and to let you know he really is a beautifully tempered dog now. I took him to the town carnival today. There were marching drummers, men on stilts, clowns allsorts of stuff to scare him and he was perfectly behaved. Kids and people were all over him and he wasnt in the least fazed by any of it. I still get astounded at how quick the breed can revert to its true nature when given a chance. He is really a gorgeous dog and his previous owners didnt know what a gem they had.

 

[Annie Milliron]

So glad to hear that Wilson's doing well!! He is truly blessed to have come into your home... people are so stupid at times....

I think of Sailor's former owners... and seethe. He is such a wonderful boy... very very special... and they let him go, because they didn't want to pay to have a tumor removed that was causing him a great deal of agony.

Just last night, I had an email from their 12 year old daughter. She misses Sailor, and is begging to see him. This is their 2nd request... I said no to the first, because it was too soon...

I'm considering saying yes.... for two reasons...

1. I feel sorry for the little girl, and she can't help the fact that her parents are idiots... (mainly her mother)

2. This is a little selfish, and maybe um... mean spirited, but I want them to see how good Sailor's doing!

We would meet at a public park... maybe the dog park in Xenia, where Sailor would be distracted by all the other dogs, and not so confused.... by seeing his former family...

I hope this isn't going to be a mistake....

 

[Shifty]

That's a tough story Annie. My wife & I always wondered how you and Sailor crossed paths but just never got around to asking.

We have neighbors who owned a beautiful harlequin Great Dane they used to walk past our place daily. I hadn't seen them in awhile but didn't think much of it with all of the heat we've had this summer. Ran across them at the market and asked how Bruce was doing and they toldme they had to get rid of him because he was just too big. I opened my mouth before engaging brain and just asked "What?!?!?! He's a great dane for pitys sake, of course he's big. If you bought a lab who just happened to come from behemoth bloodlines maybe I could see an issue but you purchased a purebred dane. You should have thought your decision through more thoroughly and maybe your breeder should have too."

Oh well, no offense to any breeders meant...it was a spur of the moment response. I just always hope that all sellers/owners/breeders all work togethor so everyone makes an informed decision when bringing a new pet into the family.

 

[Sound Bay Newfs]

I would not worry about Sailor meeting his former owners. It should be fine. I adopted my last lab from my son's best friend, when they realized that a dog did not fit into their lives. Her former owners have seen her at my house frequently and she seems fine with it. Especially that you are meeting at an impartial meeting spot, there should be no problem. And don't feel bad about wanting to show them how well Sailor is doing now. You have done a wonderful job giving him a new life, and you should take credit for that. You will be giving the little girl peace of mind that her former dog is doing well, and that is a nice thing you are doing for her. Likewise, Sailor will enjoy seeing her again, and that is a nice thing you are doing for him.

 

[Lucy & Wilsons mom]

I agree with Newfyork, Sailor wont be unsettled seeing his former owners and seeing him thriving might make them think. Our first newf was a 'guard dog' in a pub. He lived in small pen outside. The basics were taken care of but he wasn't ever groomed or walked or played with. The wife used to swear at him and say he was the thickest dog on the planet. I got him when he was about 3 and that 'thick' dog was a natural water rescuer. He performed in shows all over England doing his stuff. Everyone that met him fell in love with him. It just so happened that his former owners were working at a show we were at with him. They came over to see him (actually only the husband did, the wife didnt bother). He was amazed to see his old dog jump from a speeding boat to rescue 3 people in the order he was commanded. He was genuinely taken aback and said he was really glad he had the life he deserved and that he should never have gotten a dog in the first place as he didn't have the time for it. (hopefully he never got another! )
And as to the little girl, let her see her dog is loved and cherished. She may be a dog owner of the future. Let her see that what you put in is what you get back only more!

 

[brendapiepiorka]

Karen,
This is why I listen to this site...people and animals -animals and people..we were meant to be together.

 

[Annie Milliron]

Karen,

Thanks for sharing your story. I can't imagine what it would have been like to have to give up my beloved pets, as an adult or as a child. I do believe that it would be more traumatic for a child... because they don't really have a say, and are totally out of control in whatever the situation is.

We have decided to meet with the young lady and let her see Sailor. I answered her back, can copied her Dad on the message. I have yet to hear from them. I did send her pictures of Sailor, hopefully that helped her.

If and when we do meet, I'll post to Newf Net and let you all know how it goes.

 

[Summer]

Annie,

I'd love to hear "the rest of the story"

I truely believe animals see the bigger picture, even when we don't.

You may have a new friend in your future.

 

[dogger]

Sorry, I just can not resist my opertunity to get on my saop box. Animals have been part of my life for as long as I can remember. Othelo and Desdamona our cats from the time I was 6 months.
Thea and Gus the dalmation runners when I was 4.
Cotton; or britney spaniel from 5 to 8(hit by a car) . Willow Kittey from age 6 to, yes, 28. Tanker, our Stafoshire pitbull from 8 to 17. My parents gave 110% to each of these beloved family members.
When Brian and I got our first house the second thing after unpacking the kitchen was go to the humane society. There we found my charished Beauregard, He was a red bone coone hound and at the time his name was Fraiser (what ever). It was love at first sight.
We had to wait 24 hours before we could take him home. When I told my father inlaw what dog we were getting he thought we were nuts. Rolly was a Nebraska boy and said there was no way we could make a house pet of a coon hound. How wrong he was.
At first it was rough, it was obvious the first time beau tried to jump on the coffee table that at 2 he had never been in a house. Or that when he was terified at the thought at walking down a hall because it was like the small confines of the kennel which was his only home for his first 2 years. Then there was the hose that would send him running, tail between his legs even if the water was not on. For fear of beeing sprayed for what coon hounds do best... Sing.
We had Beau for a year when his first grand-mal siezure happend. We were terrified.
When I took him to the nearest vet i was told this happens in hunting breeds and we could expect a few months to a year if they contintued
This is when I went back to my families vet. the one who saw Tanker through tumors, skin infections (who know one else had the knowledge to treat). Willow kitty's 20 plus years and 3 dauschounds my parent had after I left the house.
Lee, our vet, placed beau on phenobarb and potasium bromide when the bromide was a forgotten medication.
If beau had a night of Seizures all I had to do wa call on my way in saying we were on our way...
later came boughts of pancriotitis, occasional peralasis, thyroid problems, increased seizures, bloat you name it Beau had it. But he was Family.
Brian and I stopped taking vacations and going out at night because of our Beau (Brian even left an Airosmith consert because of concern for our Beau). Friends would tell us we were crazy that he was only a dog. My response was why care about your sone he is only a kid...
Finally last December Beau told me he could no longer do it. He wa totally Paralized from the waist down and it would take both Brian and I to take him just to go potty.
On Christmas eve 2001 we took beau to the wonderful people who had help him keep his quality of life for so long. He fell asleep in my arms and I said good bye to my companion, child, best friend and family member.
My point is animals are not something you take for granted. God has made us the intelegent being, the keeper and most people treat this honor as an inconvience or a chore when in reality it is such a blessing that for the short time these creatures are here on earth we get to be a part of their lives.

 

[brendapiepiorka]

thanks for sharing that. I love people who care that much for animals. They are at the mercy of us human beings. They ask nothing of us, but to be loved or left alone(wild life). beautiful story.