Not sure if anyone remembers me, my old account got eaten apparently, but I'm back. My mutt (rottie, lab, german shep, and ??? mix) Sam is doing superb, and is five years old now which is absolutely crazy to think about. I'll have to get some pictures up for you guys!
Anyway my Dad recently heard word of a young german shepherd, just over a year I believe, that is in need of a home. His owner, a young woman, started working out of the country and her mother took over care of the dog. She couldn't handle him and was looking to rehome him (his name is currently Mufasa.... you know from the Lion King).
So my Dad's friend, who has two hunting labs, decided he would take Mufasa. It didn't work out and one of his labs attacked Mufasa. He needed stitches. Apparently he's still doing well with the other lab though for what that's worth.
My parents are on board with us adopting this dog providing that I think that we can work him through any issues he might have. I'm home except for a few shifts of work until the end of August and from there my Mom works from home and should be able to work with him from there while I'm at school during the week. Aside from that I have three sisters who are all old enough to help with him now. (The youngest is 14). So time isn't an issue really.
I'm worried that this attack could have some long term effects on Mufasa. What is the best way to work with him to make sure this doesn't leave him fearful of other dogs? I worked with Sam as a puppy through his fears, but he was easy to influence and shape as a puppy. Any tips or advice on this issue for if we do end up taking him in?
According to my Dad's friend, Mufasa is fairly well behaved and gets along well with his other lab. He likes to chase cats, but isn't rough (we have four cats). Something my Dad is certain that we can work on, and have in the past with other dogs. Right now Sam half thinks he's a cat sometimes and even cuddles with one of them. The cats will be in for a rude awakening I guess.
Along with all that he apparently is protective over his crate. Sam doesn't have a crate he was always good to sleep the whole night through without getting into trouble as a pup and has never RG, so I don't even know where to go with this. I've been reading about crate guarding, and it is possible that he was just overwhelmed with his new surroundings and that the issue could resolve itself once he settles in. But how do I approach this? The only space we have for a crate is in the middle of family space, I'm mostly worried about the cats getting too close to his crate. Humans I can make them stay away while we work on curbing that desire to RG his crate but the cats not so much. I might be able to talk my parents into letting his crate go in my room to start off if you guys think that it is a better plan. There's just not much room for it there. Most of what I know about stopping RG is to limit access to the thing being guarded, but with a crate in the middle of the house it might not be as simple?
Basically he has some things to be worked out, I have the summer to start working on them, I just need some insight on whether this is a dog that can be worked with from home. I can't afford a trainer, and will be assuming responsibility for the cost of our current dog myself. I just want to help the poor pup out. This is all I know about him right now, I'm hoping to learn more soon. Any advice is greatly appreciated.
And well, see you around the forums.
Also general advice about life with two dogs? Or links to more information? Again super greatly appreciated!!
Anyway my Dad recently heard word of a young german shepherd, just over a year I believe, that is in need of a home. His owner, a young woman, started working out of the country and her mother took over care of the dog. She couldn't handle him and was looking to rehome him (his name is currently Mufasa.... you know from the Lion King).
So my Dad's friend, who has two hunting labs, decided he would take Mufasa. It didn't work out and one of his labs attacked Mufasa. He needed stitches. Apparently he's still doing well with the other lab though for what that's worth.
My parents are on board with us adopting this dog providing that I think that we can work him through any issues he might have. I'm home except for a few shifts of work until the end of August and from there my Mom works from home and should be able to work with him from there while I'm at school during the week. Aside from that I have three sisters who are all old enough to help with him now. (The youngest is 14). So time isn't an issue really.
I'm worried that this attack could have some long term effects on Mufasa. What is the best way to work with him to make sure this doesn't leave him fearful of other dogs? I worked with Sam as a puppy through his fears, but he was easy to influence and shape as a puppy. Any tips or advice on this issue for if we do end up taking him in?
According to my Dad's friend, Mufasa is fairly well behaved and gets along well with his other lab. He likes to chase cats, but isn't rough (we have four cats). Something my Dad is certain that we can work on, and have in the past with other dogs. Right now Sam half thinks he's a cat sometimes and even cuddles with one of them. The cats will be in for a rude awakening I guess.
Along with all that he apparently is protective over his crate. Sam doesn't have a crate he was always good to sleep the whole night through without getting into trouble as a pup and has never RG, so I don't even know where to go with this. I've been reading about crate guarding, and it is possible that he was just overwhelmed with his new surroundings and that the issue could resolve itself once he settles in. But how do I approach this? The only space we have for a crate is in the middle of family space, I'm mostly worried about the cats getting too close to his crate. Humans I can make them stay away while we work on curbing that desire to RG his crate but the cats not so much. I might be able to talk my parents into letting his crate go in my room to start off if you guys think that it is a better plan. There's just not much room for it there. Most of what I know about stopping RG is to limit access to the thing being guarded, but with a crate in the middle of the house it might not be as simple?
Basically he has some things to be worked out, I have the summer to start working on them, I just need some insight on whether this is a dog that can be worked with from home. I can't afford a trainer, and will be assuming responsibility for the cost of our current dog myself. I just want to help the poor pup out. This is all I know about him right now, I'm hoping to learn more soon. Any advice is greatly appreciated.
And well, see you around the forums.
Also general advice about life with two dogs? Or links to more information? Again super greatly appreciated!!
