Tresa,

At Leerburg, we would get dogs in that were absolutely not safe with anyone. These dogs lived in indoor/outdoor kennel runs while they decompressed and learned the workings of the environment. As kennel or office staff we were told not to give any eye contact when we passed the kennel runs. They were not handled at that point at all.

They did not live like this forever. They just had to decompress, figure things out. Each dog does this in their own time. Once they settled in, then they were in a mind space to learn, to bond. But that step can’t be rushed. That might be what the rescue is doing.

Sometimes behaviors do escalate due to the drastic change in environment. Dogs take time to learn that they are not going to be hurt. Some take longer than others….

One dog that made huge strides was Nitro the Mal. He put his handler in the hospital, and came to Leerburg rather than be put down. After letting him figure stuff out and not pressuring him, I was able to build a strong bond with him. I never once had a problem handling Nitro for the rest of his life.

Horse rescues do it too. When my new horse Andi was rescued from the auction, her first month at the rescue was in a field with no direct human contact. They need to get their heads on straight before they can learn or accept anything.

Second guessing is human nature. We all do it. Guilt is also ingrained in many of us from birth… including me. As Becky said though, absolutely none of this is your fault. You got him as far as you could, without anyone getting seriously hurt. You did what needed to be done. Period.

Hugs.!

Tresa, here's the rest of Becky's post from a couple of posts up:

He may have gotten comfortable with you, and you feel sad, but remember, how quick he triggered, and uncomfortablehe was at the same time.. Now in an unknown environment, he may trigger faster, or shut down for a bit. It's normal. Don't blame yourself, absolutely, ever. You can't control his mind.

Hugs. You are a strong person. Don't even think about doubting yourself.

From someone who has been there, more than once.

(This is BECKY'S post.)

Tresa,

At Leerburg, we would get dogs in that were absolutely not safe with anyone. These dogs lived in indoor/outdoor kennel runs while they decompressed and learned the workings of the environment. As kennel or office staff we were told not to give any eye contact when we passed the kennel runs. They were not handled at that point at all.

They did not live like this forever. They just had to decompress, figure things out. Each dog does this in their own time. Once they settled in, then they were in a mind space to learn, to bond. But that step can’t be rushed. That might be what the rescue is doing.

Sometimes behaviors do escalate due to the drastic change in environment. Dogs take time to learn that they are not going to be hurt. Some take longer than others….

One dog that made huge strides was Nitro the Mal. He put his handler in the hospital, and came to Leerburg rather than be put down. After letting him figure stuff out and not pressuring him, I was able to build a strong bond with him. I never once had a problem handling Nitro for the rest of his life.

Horse rescues do it too. When my new horse Andi was rescued from the auction, her first month at the rescue was in a field with no direct human contact. They need to get their heads on straight before they can learn or accept anything.

Second guessing is human nature. We all do it. Guilt is also ingrained in many of us from birth… including me. As Becky said though, absolutely none of this is your fault. You got him as far as you could, without anyone getting seriously hurt. You did what needed to be done. Period.

Hugs.!