Hey <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" />

I was looking for a little insight here for a friend.

She fosters in rescues with aggression cases for shelters and tries to rehabilitate them so that they can hopefully be placed eventually.

Well...she's got this one case last week. She's never seen, heard or had experience with a case like this before and doesn't know if he can be helped.

Here is the email I got:

I picked up the dog yesterday from the shelter, I think the dog is Malamute and Auss. Shep., male, about 2 yrs. old, probably supposed to be about 90-100 lbs., but only weighs about 50.
Dog was picked up during a raid in one of the not so nice towns up here, it's extremely underweight, has what the vet thinks are cigarette burns down it's back, hip trauma (possibly from a beating, hip was out of place), maggots, you name it, this poor animal suffered it.
The health issues have been addressed, but the real problem I'm having is that the dog is totally unresponsive to ANY stimulus whatsoever. Finally got it to eat a bit today, but otherwise not interested. Will not interact at all, just sits on the floor staring at nothing, and I'm not forcing the issue, I don't want to spook him anymore than he is. This is out of my realm, I've never dealt with this before. I did some research, and the only thing I could come up with is the term "learned helplessness", and nothing on how to deal with it.
He's going in for a CAT scan tommorrow to make sure it's not neurological, other than that, any suggestions on what to do? If he can't pull out of it, he will be PTS, which at this point almost might be the most humane thing to do, but I'd like to see this dog have a chance, he's breaking my heart
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I've spoken with her since and it doesn't sound like he acts afraid at all (with exception to the fireworks 4th of July) Thats the ONLY thing he's reacted to. She said the person who stayed home to watch the dogs found him a nervous wreck so much so he did his business all over the kitchen floor. He sat with him the rest of the night and just pet him till they came home.

Who could blame him though. I'd probably be the same way. Just think what this dog has probably already been through in a drug house, not to mention what they know he's been through with the ciggarette burns and broken hip.

Other than that the dog is completely unresponsive to anything at all. He doesn't respond to any kind of food. People, dog or any food. He doesn't respond to any voices or people talking to him. He just lays and stares at the wall all day. It doesn't even sound like he responds to touch at all??

His cat scans came back normal but they did some other neurological tests they had not gotten back with her about those yet last I talked her.

Maybe it will just take time for him to come around? Someone said some animals take time to come around when their spirit is broken like his has been. Horses are the same way. I know they are different animals but we don't have much to go on for this. I'm hoping thats a good start.

Do you think its possible to help him? And/or does anyone have any experience or information with this?

SORRY! I accidentally stuck this in the wrong category!!!

Moved...

Sad to say, I have seen exactly what you describe and I beleieve it is a coping mechanism on the part of the dog. Either from pain, or hunger, the dog is no longer 'there'. The good news is that some dogs do eventually come out of it, but it is not something that will happen in a few weeks time. I doubt he will ever be completely normal though. <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/frown.gif" alt="" />

I wonder if he can hear? The thunderstorm doesn't really indicate that he can hear, because of the vibrations that storms can bring.

Deanna have you ever had a case like this before this one you have now?

I am not sure I follow your question?

*I* do not have a case like this right now, but I have seen them come through the shelter before. Some do well with a very intensive foster home, others were put down.

Most all of the dogs were either puppy mill cases, or dogs that were tied in a backyard and beaten for a long time before the owners deserted them or got thrown in jail on other charges. No matter where they come from it is always sad.

First off, thanks Brooke for posting this here, I should have done it sooner.
Deanna, thanks for replying, as for the dog, his hearing seems to be ok, I've stood behind him and clapped my hands, and while he didn't turn and look at me, his ears and head twitched and he was checked with an otiscope during an exam, they're all clear. What bothers me the most is the total lack of response, better put, his eyes almost look dead. Another question I have, what are the chances of him becoming aggresive once he (maybe) snaps out of the funk and realizes that no one's going to hurt him? Or is that an unlikely scenario considering the amount of abuse he took? Thanks for any input!

Personally, I am more concerned about aggression when a dog is non-responsive like what you describe. They are not there for you to 'read'. Most dogs do give some warning, but these dogs often do not. Not to scare you, but I have a nice scar from one such dog.

I know exactly the look you describe. I have seen it in dogs, horses, and even a couple humans.

The best thing I can tell you is to make his life as structured as possible. When ever I would foster I would try to always follow the routine. He may not seem like he notices now, but he does.

I noticed you mentioned that he is impartial to food... have you tried cooking bacon, liver, etc? Any response at all, even sniffing around where you are cooking can be a start. These cases take time and patience.

Is he still healing from the hip injury, or is it an old set injury now? As I mentioned before pain can also cause that 'glazed over' dead look in the eye as well.

Brooke - I can totally relate. One of my own dogs was like this when he first arrived here - and did not respond at all to me for 3 months. He looked right through me and did not respond in any way when I would come home from work after being gone all day. He also had no interest in food and several injuries he was recovering from. Sometimes it takes alot of time and patience.

Personally, I am more concerned about aggression when a dog is non-responsive like what you describe. They are not there for you to 'read'. Most dogs do give some warning, but these dogs often do not. My thoughts exactly. Most of the dogs that I deal with are aggressive headcases from the start, so I know what I'm dealing with. This dog being so apathetic is what I'm really concerned with, it's almost like waiting for the other shoe to drop.
The food issue, so far we've tried hotdogs, beef, etc., he's shown zero interest, I've resorted to putting Pedialyte in his water dish, just to get some calories in him. My next step is to try ignoring him, and maybe letting him watch my pups play in the yard, keeping him separated at first, just to let him see how a normal dog acts. Other than that, the hip is an old injury, it will be reset when the vet gives the go ahead after he's put some weight back on. I'll try cooking in front of him too, see if that gets a rise out of him, thanks for the input!

How's he doing now?