Pawprints

Thank you guys. I had a session with a behaviourist/trainer this morning and have some homework to do lol She has come a long way in 2 months but I guess it is very hard to see when you are so close to the situation. I am also out of my depth so feeling like I am not doing things right and also having to deal with the 'rejection' of her at times which is hard and something I have not experienced before. I believe I am need of some training myself to get my mind right about this! Its been a very steep learning curve for me too so I think I need to give myself a break. I am so desperate to make her feel comfortable and to help her gain confidence in her that I think it is coming across in a bad way to her.

Many thanks. I do not feel a failure or anything as I have done what I can do. I just need guidance on how to proceed further. She has been medically cleared. She is a beagle. FYI - I am a current beagle owner and have worked with rescue beagles before so I know the breed etc. I have not had an individual dog this bad before.

I am desperately seeking any advice or tips from others who have dealt with very fearful dogs. I am struggling at the moment with my rescue dog. I have had her 2 months and she was from a puppy farm. She is fearful of me and has been since day one. I admit she has improved somewhat (at least comes to the door and has stopped hiding under the deck) however we have stalled and I am wondering what I can do from here. I largely spend my time ignoring her and not even looking at her. She really is just a dog in my house whom I am ignoring as she finds my voice, eye contact and presence scary. I am remaining calm and controlled and spending time with my other well adjusted and happy dog. She will take food from my hand however ONLY in the kitchen/lounge. She will not take a lamb shank or treat from my hand outside at all and runs off. She will walk on the lead really well and will take treats from me whilst walking however this is only if I can catch her to put the lead on. I have to wait until she gets in her crate before I can corner her to put the lead on. Otherwise she stays at home while I walk my other dog. She will not come inside to her bed or crate but prefers to stand in the open doorway and then keep running off into the backyard. I cant keep having the door open all night as it is getting cold and letting all the mozzies in. So if she will not come inside by 11pm, she sleeps outside. I have a dog door but I cannot train her to use it as she wont take treats off me and if she sees me the other side of the door trying to entice her, she is scared of me and doesn't want to be near me, hence wont come through. She will come in rarely and explore around but either quickly runs outside again or she will lay down inside as far away from me as possible. The next day however she seems to have a brain fart and forgets that she slept inside and doesn't want to come inside and is scared. Im just at my wits end and unsure what to do. Any advice appreciated as I do want this to work but I feel I am at my dog training ability threshold!

My beach that I go to is Seaford/Carrum and its great for dogs. Its not too crowded. At the moment dogs are allowed on, off leash before 10 am. Not allowed on between 10 am and 7.30pm, allowed on, on lead after 7.30pm.

Thanks LP. She has reported it to the police and Animal Control, taken pics of the bite (she took them at the time). The doctors also have the report of when she came in to be treated for the wounds too. We just have to wait now and hope they take their doggies for a walk again soon! ;)

Thank you to all the constructive posts. My friend is recovering but still very shaken. She was just glad that she was not walking her own dog, but she decided to leave her home that day as she is a pug and it was a hot day. It could have been even worse I imagine. To clarify for those like Mace, she did give them a wide enough berth, their area is tree lined naturestrips so rather than walking on the road, she walked on the naturestrip. Being a dog owner she felt confident to pass them. Not so much now I'm afraid. We are still keeping an eye out for them, they have to come out some time ;)

Are you for real! I'm sorry that my friend didn't have the capacity in a split instance to calcualte the angle and extension of a dogs lead, taking into consideration the length of the owners arm and elasticity of the lead.

Yes they might lay low for a week or so and not walk their dogs but when they do, hopefully we will see them.

Sounds like from their reaction that this may not be the first instance I agree as she said that just before she went around them, as she apporached, the guy tugged the lead on the dog and said "come here" or something to that effect.

Thanks K&P, she did go to the doctor and got a tetanus shot and bandaged up. They have kept the file at the doctors and she is contacting the police today.

I just wanted to advise and warn that my friend was attacked while walking (on her own) around her estate in Lyndhurst last night. She was walking and an 'older couple" (she described them as having grey hair) walked towards her on the footpath with 3 dogs, on lead, one Jack Russell and 2 unidentified, medium sized breed, black and brown dogs. As she approached, she walked onto the naturestip to go around them as 2 people and 3 dogs take up the entire footpath and as she walked around, one of the black/brown dogs lunged and bit her on the calf quite badly. She fell to the ground, calf gashed and bleeding and the guy asked her "if he got her" which was blatantly obvious. My friend started crying and said yes, and the couple turned and walked off quickly. My friend was upset and in shock and so couldn't run after them. So please be warned if you are in that area and see this couple. We are currently trying to establish where they live to make a report. Any information would also be welcome.

LOL I wish I could post this about my beagles. I have a few winter kegs at my house.

Be very wary of Harvey Norman, they are a rip off. You are in effect paying for their 'flexibility' because they offer Interest Free whether you buy it on that or not. I am in the market for the 1000D with the twin lens kit. Dick Smith had it for $746, Good Guys $840, JB HiFi $860 and Retravision $850. Harvey Norman wanted $1199!!! When I pointed out and brought in catalogues to show that everyone else was a good $400 cheaper, they said they would price match but then added an extended 5 year warranty (which I didn't ask for) and a memory card (which I didn't ask for) all of which brought the price back up to $1150. Idiots

LOL I was staring at the same moon! (I'm on the Peninsula too!). I took some shots too using my 200mm and mine are currently on my camera looking like your Kirislin! Must get them off and make my first post in here :rolleyes:

This is scarily sounding like the road I live on!!