Hello from Central Ohio

H

Horse Chestnut

Forums Regular
Hi everyone at Shelte Nation. I'd like to introduce myself and my Sheltie, Ida. I adopted my 5-year-old girl from a rural shelter in my state, and her story is probably familiar to many here; she was a breeder dog at a small (so I was told) puppy mill. Spent most of her life crated or in a puppy pit. She was debarked.<P>That about all I know. She has no outward signs of phyical abuse, no scars, limping, etc. She was extremely shut down and shy. She flinched whenever I reached to touch or pet her, flopped to the floor, and was afraid of any eye contact.<P>I have had my sweetgirl for a month now, and there has been progress. Her anxiety has decreased, she is more accepting of being touched, and she even welcomes me home with a wigglebutt and a happily wagging tail.<P>The happiness during the homecoming though, is the only time she shows any joy. There is only one real problem that still need work and attention - she is food aggressive if my older Collie walks too close during mealtimes- but otherwise she is pretty soft, walks well on a leash, and is friendly and calm around my cats. But I worry about her passivity and reserved air. She does not play with toys, and doesn't seem to enjoy her walks.<P>I've had dogs all my life, but the Shetland Sheepdog breed is new to me. I understand that they are not little Collies, :winkgrin: and I do intend to pick everyone's brains here, and come here often as Ida's rehabilitation continues, but my big question is; will my Ida Mae ever learn to be a happy dog? http://www.tm.org/lp/anxiety-treatment.html?leadsource=CRM82
 
Hello and welcome!

I think the best piece of advice I can offer is please don't sell her short. Part of what makes us human is our inclination to create narratives linking past, present, and future. Dogs don't do this like we do... yes, they remember past experiences and anticipate future ones, but they don't dwell on things like we do.

It's very easy for us humans to get caught up in the story of past abuse, rescue, and redemption, but I think this hinders our dogs. It makes us see them as victims who may or may not ever be "happy", when in reality they are dogs who are ready to move forward and grow. Ida's history is just that - history.

On to more concrete matters... the best thing you can do is to create a stable, predictable routine for her. It sounds like you are already well on your way in this department!

Do please crate her while she eats; putting her in a position where she may feel she needs to defend her food reinforces the behavior (and is no fun for your Collie). Crating her at meals takes that potential stress off the table and sets her up for success.

Don't worry too much about the toy thing. Many perfectly-happy Shelties are just not that into toys.

A month is still a relatively short time for a sensitive, undersocialized dog to adjust to a new home. She may still be "laying low" and just watching things. Just keep offering her stability and a predictable schedule. I suspect that she still has some blossoming to do.

That said, it is likely that, because she wasn't well-socialized, she will always be a very "soft" dog. That's okay; it doesn't mean that she will never be a happy dog. You may need to adjust your mental picture of "happiness" and "joy": she may have the best, happiest moments of her life sleeping under your dining room table, or standing quietly in the backyard and feeling the wind on her face.
 
Welcome:smile2:
we love pix:yes:

your girl will be happy- she may never play with toys.....
my first sheltie, Callie, was a rescue - she never did play with toys but she did love her cookies:pop
 
Hi and welcome to you and Ida from another Central Ohioan! I don't have any suggestions but I know other members here will have good ideas.
 
Welcome to Sheltie Nation and BLESS you on the adoption of your resuce sheltie Ida!

I think this book might help...

The Diary of Lucy Blue: A Puppy Mill Survivor's Story

Lucy Blue arrived at Second Chance Sheltie Rescue as a survivor of a “puppy mill”: a filthy facility where the “business philosophy” is to give breeding dogs as little care as possible in order to make as much profit as possible from their puppies. Puppy mill dogs often live out their lives in tiny cages, suffering from disease, injury, and near-starvation. Those who survive physically are often psychologically scarred: fearful, suspicious, frightened, stressed animals who alternately hide from, or lash out at, a world they cannot understand.
When Sheltie Rescue took Lucy in, the obvious questions was: “Who would ever want a dog like this?” The answer—Janice Mitchell. As Lucy began the long process of healing body and spirit, Janice started a diary to record Lucy’s progress, to note information that might be helpful to other rescuers, and sometimes, by her own admission, “to keep from pulling my hair out!” This is the story of Lucy, the dog no one would ever want, and of Janice, the woman who never gave up on her.
Second Chance Sheltie Rescue receives 100% of the profit of the sale of this book.

Good luck and keep us updated on your progress!
 

Attachments

  • LUCY BLUE.jpg
    LUCY BLUE.jpg
    45.1 KB · Views: 9
Welcome to you and Ida. You have already made wonderful progress with her.

Food aggression is easily handled by having her eat in an area that is either gated off or in a crate. She may have had to fight for food in the puppy mill and she needs the security of knowing that no other dog is going to try and steal her food.

Playing with toys is a behavior that, when not learned as a puppy, often never does become a part of a doggie's life. I honestly wouldn't be worried about it. I have had several adopted rescues who totally ignored toys, but still had very happy, full lives.

Ida is lucky to have found a loving home and her happiness may always be shown "quietly". Shelties, for the most part, are not social butterflies...that is just part of the breed and with Ida's background it may be even more apparent. As long as she knows that she is safe and loved she will have a good life.

Glad you have joined us. :smile2:

Trini
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top