Yeti Posted October 15, 2007 Report Share Posted October 15, 2007 Rosie has been here almost two months now; she came to the BeastBarracks because she was being aggressive towards other dogs and not far off taking a one way trip to the vet. Two members on another forum managed to get her a another chance and persuaded me to take her in - I'm glad they did. If you have read BeastBlog recently you'll know that she behaved impeccably at the Gap Show and on holiday. Yesterday was the next big test for Rosie, a White Lodge walk with dozens of dogs at Outwoods in Leicestershire. The couple of pics below I think say it all about how she behaved. She loved mixing in with other dogs as we walked and chatted and seemed to take a particular shine to Mortimer (the snowflaked roman nosed hound at the right of the 2nd pic - he is seriously handsome) - she would make a point of walking and standing next to him if she could. And while I'm going, here's a quote from the WL forum about her " .... Rosie is absolutely gorgeous, what a star. ...." ; couldn't have said it better myself smile.gif As you might have guessed, I am rather proud of Rosie and the way she behaved yesterday. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
~Canis-Equus~ Posted October 15, 2007 Report Share Posted October 15, 2007 Im very interested to know what you have done with Rosie to cure the problem, I never actually witnessed her problem behaviour either at her previous home or in my house when she visited here. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sparkle Posted October 15, 2007 Report Share Posted October 15, 2007 She is bootiful :wub: Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
melissa Posted October 15, 2007 Report Share Posted October 15, 2007 Well done with turning her in to a social butterfly, she looks lovely - I would love to know how you did it as it is a problem I have encountered with some of my fosters, any tips greatly appreciated Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Yeti Posted October 15, 2007 Author Report Share Posted October 15, 2007 Im very interested to know what you have done with Rosie to cure the problem, I never actually witnessed her problem behaviour either at her previous home or in my house when she visited here. Dam - someone has sussed us Thing is I haven't really done anything that I don't do with any of The Beasts, and that is: tell them what I want them to do encourage and reward good behaviour not tolerate bad behaviour and correct it immediately if there is any feed a good diet give plenty of exercise socialise give loads of hugs let them know they are the best beasts in the world The only thing that I have done specifically for Rosie is to get her weight down and build up her muscle tone which she desperately needed, but doing that was simply a case of doing items 4 and 5 in a controlled way. OK, I watched her like a hawk until I was sure of her attitude to the others, but that's the same as with any new arrival. Rosie has been given every opportunity to demonstrate her "problem", but to date has refused to do so - which is good of course. Maybe I just haven't had her in a situation that triggers it, maybe coming to a pack of hounds that are fairly chilled was what she needed; who knows? All I know is she came here with a reputation, and so far she has not lived up to it. From day one she waited her turn a meal times, apart from the very first morning and when she jumped on Monty getting out the BeastBus at the Gap show there has not been so much as a cross word - I have had much worse from other hounds. On the contrary, Rosie has proven herself to be highly intelligent, very loving, eager to please, willing to fit in, and a right tart. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ReikiAnge Posted October 15, 2007 Report Share Posted October 15, 2007 That's fab news Not surprised she fell for Mortimer, he looks luverly Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
~Canis-Equus~ Posted October 15, 2007 Report Share Posted October 15, 2007 (edited) Interesting. I dont doubt for a second her problems were and are very real in some circumstances, and i would expect those circumstances just havent arisen and may well not arise with you. I wonder if she does take more confidence from being in a bigger group of confident dogs, if you take her out of that context and allow her direct eye contact with a 'rude' strange dog... is she still 'cured' then. Actually... what happens if you give her to someone else to handle, a smaller person who isnt as confident as you are? Not having a go or saying you havent cured her, but knowing her previous owner and their 'lifestyle', i think things are so different you havent seen the real issues yet. Maybe you never will, fingers X because she is a lovely dog. Edited October 15, 2007 by ~Canis-Equus~ Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Yeti Posted October 15, 2007 Author Report Share Posted October 15, 2007 (edited) Interesting. I dont doubt for a second her problems were and are very real in some circumstances, and i would expect those circumstances just havent arisen and may well not arise with you. I wonder if she does take more confidence from being in a bigger group of confident dogs, if you take her out of that context and allow her direct eye contact with a 'rude' strange dog... is she still 'cured' then. Actually... what happens if you give her to someone else to handle, a smaller person who isnt as confident as you are? Not having a go or saying you havent cured her, but knowing her previous owner and their 'lifestyle', i think things are so different you havent seen the real issues yet. Maybe you never will, fingers X because she is a lovely dog. I'm sure Rosie's issues were and probably are still are real - her initial reaction on meeting Kai was to have a pop at him; it was a "first strike" response and to me that's indicative of a nervous animal. Perhaps being in a larger group does give her confidence to be at ease - hounds helping hounds . And it perhaps it is that 'lifestyles' are different - that's why some dogs fit in some places and others don't - one of the fosters we had here, Hooch, for all that he was and is a fantastic dog was never going to be a Beastly Beast - i.e. stay here. He is now well settled where is his and loved to bits. As to your thoughts as to what might happen if .... I can only say what I've seen: While on holiday Rosie was taken on her own into a strange pack of dogs in a strange environment. OK, the dogs are well behaved and it was with me; however she was allowed off lead. When Waljan told her where to go she did - she did not fight back and there was no redirected aggression. Neither was their any follow up from Waj - it was just a "get your nose out my bits", and it was all over. As to giving her to someone who is not so confident (not sure size matters so much, within reason, if the person knows what they are doing - I know some small ladies that scare the c**p out of me and I'm sure could handle Rosie no problem) - definitely not at the this point in time. While she is eager to please and obedient she does have a mind of her own. Personally I like that kind of dog - I think they are fun providing they accept you as the boss. But I'm sure she'd try it on and see what she could get away with with someone new. My approach with Rosie is to take her as I find her, one step at a time, the same as I do with any dog that comes here. And it is only two months - very early days. I certainly don't consider what you said as having a go - I definitely don't have all the answers and neither do I think I've cured her. At best her environment has changed to one she feels more confident in for what ever reason(s). Perhaps that will be enough, but even if it's not I feel it's a good base to build on. My hope (fairly obviously) is that she will continue in the same way going forwards. And I whole heartedly agree with you that she is a lovely dog. Edited October 15, 2007 by Yeti Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
~Canis-Equus~ Posted October 16, 2007 Report Share Posted October 16, 2007 Fingers x for you and Rosieposie then Hope you dont thikn im being a sod, but theres just one fing.. "But I'm sure she'd try it on and see what she could get away with with someone new." Re-evaluate that.... because i dont think any of her behaviour re aggression towards other dogs has been 'trying it on' (sorry my bugbear is misinterpretation of dog behaviour/dog body language). I dont doubt for a second if you handed her over to someone underconfident in whatever way, especially someone who was specifically nervous and anxious about her reaction to other dogs, shed go straight back to square one.. But its not about trying it on or seeing what she can get away with. Its about feeling that there IS something to be scared of, and feeling that she is alone and must deal with it herself. Clearly, with you, she doesnt feel the need to defend herself and on the rare occasions her confidence in you has slipped for a second, the 'situation' has not been allowed to escalate (because you put your foot down), and so shes not followed her previous behaviour pattern. I mention this not cos im a bumhole but cos theres a LOT of people who think a dog kicking off at another dog is doing it for kicks or to see what they can get away with and its really got nothing to do wtih that (i dont disagree dogs test boundaries, most sentient beings do) and everything to do with lack of confidence in themselves and their owner. Be interesting to see how you can boost Rosies confidence in herself so she doesnt rely on a handler as much in the future. Em Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Laurel n Hardy Posted October 16, 2007 Report Share Posted October 16, 2007 it's lovely to hear she has settled in, is making good progress and looks like she will carry on in the same vein give her a gentle squidge from me pls Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
melissa Posted October 16, 2007 Report Share Posted October 16, 2007 Whatever the reasons its great to know she is feeling happy & loved Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JACKYSIAN Posted October 16, 2007 Report Share Posted October 16, 2007 Wonderful! She a real stunner...and I can understand the Mortimer attraction...he's one of my 'if only' dogs! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Alison Posted October 16, 2007 Report Share Posted October 16, 2007 I met Rosie for the first time on Sunday on the White Lodge walk but didn't find out until the end that she had any issues. I wish I'd known because as a wimpy little woman I'd have asked Chris if I could've walked her for a while to see how she behaved with me. I'll see if I can borrow her for a road test at some point in the near future so I can report back. This walk was obviously in the company of lots of other greyhounds who (in my experience) seem to be an innately laid-back breed and she's obviously familiar and comfortable with them, although she hadn't met most of them previously. We did encounter a variety of other dogs en route though, including some definite "trigger" types for aggressive dogs (boingy, in-yer-face, off lead) that came racing up to her and she was fine - completely indifferent. Had Chris not told me, I'd have had no idea that she came with issues. Can't scroll back now to see but I think it's the second photo that shows her politely waiting her turn for treats and was very representative of her behaviour in that regard; she seems quite aware of her own physical size and was careful not to barge the other dogs out of the way. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dog Rescue Lover Posted October 20, 2007 Report Share Posted October 20, 2007 I too met Rosie for the first time last Sunday and she was a beautiful, friendly, happy girlie, who wanted nothing more than cuddles and fuss. I agree that a lot of her issues have probably been to do with how she was handled in the past and how she is handled now (i.e. Chris is boss and doesn't need looking after, so Rosie is happy to be one of the pack). The good thing about Chris is he has put in the time and patience to find this out and, should Rosie find her forever home, Chris would make sure that her new owners understood everything about her and would help and advise them to settle her in properly and keep up the on-going training of her. The most important thing is that Rosie is still here today, living with a wonderful group of dogs and a fantastic family (Chris and Gill). Keep up the good work Chris. You've worked wonders with her and gave her a chance Slightly off topic of Rosie, I have to agree with everyone about Mortimer - hes my stunningly gorgeous boy who, thankfully, is part of my dream pack I can see why Rosie likes him Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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