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New Year ... New Chapter

  • 14-01-2020 11:39am
    #1
    cocker5
    Registered Users Posts: 3,274 ✭✭✭


    As many of you know we said goodbye to our beloved Cody in August last year and him leaving us left a massive hole in our lives and our hearts and while we will never replace him.. he was one in a million... we knew we would need a little canine in our home and we have so much to give... so

    Last Friday we welcomed a super submissive and very frighten Springer boy into our lives... the rescue believe he is approx. 18 months (ex gun dog / gun shy), kept outside (more than likely in a shed), def kicked / beaten etc...when we first met him he cowered down walked on his belly and rolled over and wee'd himself - the poor soul

    we recused him from a recuse in the west... meet Cooper (formally "pines" in the rescue)... the recsue in question saved him form Offaly pound so he's been in kennels for over 2 months the poor pup, its kinda bittersweet I feel so so guilty over bringing him home as im not replacing Cody... but delighted to see his little face each day too...

    over the last few days he's come on a lot... he LOVES his ball and other dogs which is great BUT TERRIFED of all new sounds (which at the moment is everything), the lead and humans (except me and my hubby while he is still wary he now is happy to come to us etc.)

    He is a wonderful fella... has so so much love to give... he is super sweet and although he is petrified he has no aggression and is super affectionate once he knows you.

    we got him washed and cleaned up and he's much happier in himself.... as he loves other dogs we have him in doggie day care while I'm in work during the week (Lady who runs it said he had a ball yesterday)

    we did get a crate for him and pop treats in there and feed him in there and he's is getting more comfortable each day (no locked door its still open don't want to care him)

    We are having a 1-2-1 trainer call out this week (Wonder Paws in Bray) to give us some tips on how we can help him with his confidence and desensitising him from stressful situations etc.

    we are taking it day by day not forcing him and letting him come to us etc...

    BUT would love some tips form the other boards members who's pups have been through something similar and how you helped them etc?? Cody was really well socialized and nothing phased him so this is all new to us

    any suggestions and thoughts would be appreciated :D

    Cooper welcome to your new life....


Comments

  • #2
    charlietheminxx
    Registered Users Posts: 2,579 ✭✭✭charlietheminxx


    I don't have any advice for this situation, just wanted to say how gorgeous he is and I'm so pleased he found such a wonderful and understanding home.


  • #3
    Choc Chip
    Banned (with Prison Access) Posts: 1,442 ✭✭✭Choc Chip


    He is GORGEOUS!

    I've had a good few adult fosters. I might do it differently if I was keeping the dog (I understand the impulse to jump right in and do ALL THE THINGS), but I normally leave them to it. Show them where the door is to go out and toilet, then take them out there a good bit and give a treat if they go outside. Show them where there's a bed, some water. I don't even do a lot of hand-feeding or anything, I just leave them be. If they come over to investigate me, I'll have some snacks in my pocket, but that's about it for the first few days. I don't even worry too much about walking them - there's enough to learn in a new house with new noises and smells.

    If they start getting more confident and want to join in when I'm training mine, I might start treating them for staying on a matt, or capturing a sit, but I don't do anything too in the face of a nervous dog (like luring a sit) - I try to just let them learn that if they do things I like (lie on your matt/sit quietly) then they might earn themselves a treat.

    After that, it depends on their confidence and how they are coming along - I think it's easier to be relaxed when it's a foster and you don't feel under pressure to "fix" them. But I'd honestly not worry too much for at least a few weeks. It'll take him time to de-stress in your house and until he relaxes, you won't get a proper idea of what actually scares him, and what he is reacting to because he's so stressed already.

    And... I'd get this: https://www.patriciamcconnell.com/store/Love-Has-No-Age-Limit.html it's one of her best-sellers and she has actual qualifications, rather than my limited experience and tendancy to laziness. ;)

    Enjoy. He really looks lovely!


  • #4
    cocker5
    Registered Users Posts: 3,274 ✭✭✭cocker5


    Choc Chip wrote: »
    He is GORGEOUS!

    I've had a good few adult fosters. I might do it differently if I was keeping the dog (I understand the impulse to jump right in and do ALL THE THINGS), but I normally leave them to it. Show them where the door is to go out and toilet, then take them out there a good bit and give a treat if they go outside. Show them where there's a bed, some water. I don't even do a lot of hand-feeding or anything, I just leave them be. If they come over to investigate me, I'll have some snacks in my pocket, but that's about it for the first few days. I don't even worry too much about walking them - there's enough to learn in a new house with new noises and smells.

    If they start getting more confident and want to join in when I'm training mine, I might start treating them for staying on a matt, or capturing a sit, but I don't do anything too in the face of a nervous dog (like luring a sit) - I try to just let them learn that if they do things I like (lie on your matt/sit quietly) then they might earn themselves a treat.

    After that, it depends on their confidence and how they are coming along - I think it's easier to be relaxed when it's a foster and you don't feel under pressure to "fix" them. But I'd honestly not worry too much for at least a few weeks. It'll take him time to de-stress in your house and until he relaxes, you won't get a proper idea of what actually scares him, and what he is reacting to because he's so stressed already.

    And... I'd get this: https://www.patriciamcconnell.com/store/Love-Has-No-Age-Limit.html it's one of her best-sellers and she has actual qualifications, rather than my limited experience and tendancy to laziness. ;)

    Enjoy. He really looks lovely!

    Thanks a million!! Really appreciate your reply and will def buy the book and take your advice on board :D anything to help him settle in and gain some confidence x


  • #5
    Choc Chip
    Banned (with Prison Access) Posts: 1,442 ✭✭✭Choc Chip


    cocker5 wrote: »
    Thanks a million!! Really appreciate your reply and will def buy the book and take your advice on board :D anything to help him settle in and gain some confidence x

    Just learn from my mistakes. I tried to do everything with mine at first and totally overwhelmed her. She didnt trust me, so going on walks and asking her to learn things, was like taking a rehomed toddler and trying to teach them maths. She was so stressed she couldnt think. Totally unfair of me.

    I'm a lot more relaxed now - so much so that it took me ages to realise when she came around and needed a job (thanks dbb!). I tried a few things, but just a couple of months ago I started doing scent work with her and adore it - he'd likely be amazing when he comes out of his shell if it's something you're interested in. I'll likely do more of it with fosters in the future as (and I'm sure dbb will correct me if I'm wrong) but it seems to build confidence as the game uses their nose, which is intrinsically reinforcing, and it has them working more independently which seems to help confidence.


  • #6
    Taiga
    Registered Users Posts: 350 ✭✭Taiga


    Ah Cocker I'm so happy for you! He's just gorgeous! What a lucky little guy.xxx


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  • #7
    aonb
    Registered Users Posts: 3,277 ✭✭✭aonb


    What a beautiful boy Cocker - and so good to rescue a nervous dog - the friendly/outgoing ones are always easy to rehome, its the worried/anxious ones that need the patient/loving homes.

    You'll never replace the dogs you loose - you just let the new dogs into your heart, to help heal the loss.

    Lots of love and patience and kindness and gentle handling will show this boy that he is safe and loved - but you know that already. I wish you all the very best -


  • #8
    mymo
    Registered Users Posts: 3,553 ✭✭✭mymo


    He's gorgeous, my favourite springer is called Cooper too, he was also a gun shy rescue, but my friend has him like a different dog.
    Have you tried a thundershirt or wrap?
    Also record noises and play back very quietly, gradually increasing the volume. Ignore fear, just turn down again, play and distract, encourage good reactions like perking up ears but no fear.
    Treat dropped by washing machine or whatever noisy thing can make things seem safer.
    Best of luck, he's landed on his feet with you.


  • #9
    cocker5
    Registered Users Posts: 3,274 ✭✭✭cocker5


    Thanks a million guys for your advice and replies x

    he’s a super boy and we’re in love after only 4 days...

    he’s really come out of himself (inside our home etc and with us ) over the last 4 days .. I’m just trying to find ways to help him adjust to outside our home now too .. but as you’ve all said .. slowly but surely .. patience and reward is the key .. hopefully we can really turn his life around .. for him ... we want him to be happy ... it’s awful seeing him soo frightened of everything ..

    he’s ok now with the tv and the fire on Saturday he wouldn’t even come in from the back garden I had to lift the poor pet in eventually 😢 and he’s also taken to sleeping in his crate (door open etc) so after only 4 days he’s doing super ..


  • #10
    sdp
    Registered Users Posts: 830 ✭✭✭sdp


    Oh Cocker, What a lucky boy that you have taken him into you heart and home.
    such eyes on him! beautful boy.

    Since I lost my Toby, I've been spending more time helping out at my local rescue center, mostly with the nervous and shut down dogs,
    not a lot more to add, as wonderful advice from all above, and do keep us updated on his progress.:)


  • #11
    tk123
    Registered Users Posts: 14,019 ✭✭✭✭tk123


    Congrats Cocker! :)

    Great advice from Choc Chip.. Bailey is now 10, there are still things he's afraid of so we manage the situation. I think that's the biggest thing - go at their pace, their comfort levels and accept that you can't fix everything - which is ok!


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  • #12
    [Deleted User]
    Posts: 0 ✭ [Deleted User]


    Feeling a little down so just re-read this for the happiness factor! :D

    Congrats btw cocker. He couldn't ask for a better home.


  • #13
    cocker5
    Registered Users Posts: 3,274 ✭✭✭cocker5


    Thanks guys for your replies x

    We had a great result with cooper today .. we drove to Greystones seafront with the idea of letting him sit there with us on a bench and look around.. to take in the new smells and sounds.. nothing more ... well he surprised us to no end he started moving .. so walked up and down a few times ..on lead.. a few times he stopped to lie down .. so we waited.. people stopped, gave him a pet etc he was delighted with himself .. I thought if someone approached him he’d freak out .. no he took it all in his stride!

    He’s a super super pup xx we’re going at his pace slowly but surely but he’s surprising us each day x


  • #14
    cocker5
    Registered Users Posts: 3,274 ✭✭✭cocker5


    tk123 wrote: »
    Congrats Cocker! :)

    Great advice from Choc Chip.. Bailey is now 10, there are still things he's afraid of so we manage the situation. I think that's the biggest thing - go at their pace, their comfort levels and accept that you can't fix everything - which is ok!

    I hope your doing ok xx


  • #15
    puppieperson1
    Banned (with Prison Access) Posts: 301 ✭✭puppieperson1


    Choc chip is right dont overwhelm him its all a lot to take in from being treated cruelly to being treated well, your dog will bloom in time its takes almost 3 months for a rescue dog to believe he has a home of his own . Dont try to over train too soon let the dog relax and feel at home. Well done for rescuing him i saw him on their page looked lovely they are the sweetest dogs temperment wise and loyal and lovely had one for 16 years, its heart warming to read about people like you good luck!


  • #16
    Springwell
    Registered Users Posts: 531 ✭✭✭Springwell


    cocker5 wrote: »

    Last Friday we welcomed a super submissive and very frighten Springer boy into our lives... the rescue believe he is approx. 18 months (ex gun dog / gun shy), kept outside (more than likely in a shed), def kicked / beaten etc...when we first met him he cowered down walked on his belly and rolled over and wee'd himself - the poor soul

    Don't assume he's been beaten - he sounds like a lot of unsocialised/untrained working bred dogs we get into rescue. I have one in on foster currently who acts the same at home but is excelling at learning the ropes of canicross to channel his energy. He just doesn't know much about being a dog yet. I know my fosters whole history from puppy up, he was never beaten. Working gundogs are bred to very soft in temperament compared to their show counterparts.


  • #17
    cocker5
    Registered Users Posts: 3,274 ✭✭✭cocker5


    Thanks guys appreciate all your comments and feedback!

    Cooper is doing really well.. 8 days with us now and he’s like a different dog...

    He’s loves his mountain walks and his football .. taking it nice and slow.. still has confidence issues .. but hopefully that will come with time

    We are trying lots of desensitising methods to try and help him over come some of his fears... either way feels like he’s been with us forever and we adore him


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