I don't post much because shortly after signing up, I realized that most questions could be answered by using the search engine. For this I need advice.

I was involved in rescuing a pup last November and almost kept him, but ended up getting involved as a foster instead. I have my dog and then have fostered several since then, all short term.

The rescue I volunteer for asked me to take a new foster last week. Long story short, he's had two short lived adoptions and basically grew up in a boarding kennel type environment. I've had him since Saturday.

He is very fearful. When I brought him home, he wouldn't get out of the car. Rather than try to force him, I attached the end of his leash to a long drag line, grabbed a chair and sat in the yard and waited. He did finally get out and came over and sniffed me. Since then, he is never more than ten feet away. Everything new has taken time, entering the breezeway, (I had to take down my wind chimes), entering the house, stairs...everything. He does love his crate and he will relax with me outside and even run and play a little. I don't talk to him much and when I do I keep my voice soft. He has his own room in the house where his crate is so he can eat where it's quiet. He is slowly warming to my husband and kids, but they must ignore him and be sitting down. Mainly, he's with me. I don't baby him or anything. I walk, he follows. I sit, he sits beside me. At least I'm getting my exercise since the only way he runs is if I run too.

This is my question. When he is adopted out, will he go through this same process in a new home? If he can stay at my house for a while and become more confidant, will that carry over to a new home or will he start from square one? He is amazingly sweet and has come a long way just in the couple of days I've had him, but after reading some of the older posts here, I'm wondering if it would be cruel to let him build trust with me and become comfortable and then send him to another strange place. I'd keep him first.

What are your thoughts on this? Feel free to ask any questions. He's approximately 18 months old and was described to me as a shepherd mix. I really don't think he looks like a shepherd.

Thanks in advance.

Sorry I'm no help.

But the way you describe how you just wait him out on obstacles that come your way sounds GREAT!

I think your attitude is going to take this dog FAR from what he is now.:smile:

He'll probably always have fearful tendencies, IMO, but the way you are going about this will probably make him seem like a new dog in due time.

Good luck, and keep us posted.

While it is impossible to say anything definitive without actually observing the dog, your approach if certainly going to give him a GREAT shot at a life anywhere.:smile:

I agree with everything Michael said. It sounds like you are doing everything right. And it's only been a very short time that you've had him. As a little more time goes by, you are going to get a good feel for how he's coming along as far as getting over his fearfulness, so I think your question will be answered by the dog himself.

I adopted an under-socialized and fearful dog about three years ago. I met her right after she came into the rescue program, but she was required to go into a foster home before I could take her. She was in the foster home for three weeks, and when I picked her up, that was exactly the thing I felt bad about, that she had just started to get comfortable there, and here she was, being kidnapped by strangers again!

She adjusted to our home quickly, but she is still fearful in certain new situations. I think for some dogs, it's genetic, as has been discussed in a couple other similar threads here lately. Only time will tell with your foster dog, but you are doing a wonderful thing!

Well, I'd love to take credit and say I knew just what to do, but I actually read everything I could find on fearful and handshy dogs for two days prior to picking him up...mostly on this forum.

Flooding = BAD

Cheri,

THanks for sharing about your dog. That makes me feel a little better. I wouldn't mind keeping him, but I wouldn't be able to foster anymore and I've really come to enjoy it. My husband asks that I have only two dogs in the house at a time.

Thanks for the encouragement Mike. I will definately keep you posted.

You are doing it all right, as Michael says. It's too soon to eval his eventual ability to move on to a "regular" permanent home. But I've done this more than once, and so far no dog has had to come back. Dogs can and do transfer allegiance, and building his confidence is the very best tool you can possibly give him.

"I'm wondering if it would be cruel to let him build trust with me and become comfortable and then send him to another strange place. I'd keep him first," --- you have answered it yourself.

But my money is on eventual successful rehoming (after loads of socializing).


eta
My own spotty record at rehoming (keeping "foster" dogs) is my fault -- not the dogs'. LOL

Edited by Connie Sutherland (04/19/2011 02:24 PM)
Edit reason: eta

Here's the picture they initially sent to me. (If I did it right.) His tail curls over his back when he's running. It's white underneath and he looks like a deer!

http://i793.photobucket.com/albums/yy211/janetdunut/DudleySitting.jpg

 Quote: Janet Dudley

Here's the picture they initially sent to me. (If I did it right.) His tail curls over his back when he's running. It's white underneath and he looks like a deer!

http://i793.photobucket.com/albums/yy211/janetdunut/DudleySitting.jpg

Ha. Talk about humanizing: He looks nice!

I have a feeling that if I fostered him it would be permanent.

He sounds like a nice dog who will end up bonding to his people nicely.

Connie,

As people come around, family and neighbors, I plan to just have them ignore him like I have the kids and let him get away to his room if he is afraid. Is this the best way to expose him to new people? We'll have family in and out this weekend, and I don't want to overload him.

Edit:
I don't ignore my kids...LOL! I meant to say ignore him like I have the kids ignore him.

Edited by Janet Foley (04/19/2011 02:38 PM)
Edit reason: to clarify