Copyright Notice:
All written material contained on this Web site is Copyright 2007 by Amy N. Breton. All rights reserved.
All written material contained on this Web site is Copyright 2007 by Amy N. Breton. All rights reserved.
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
citizencanine@verizon.net
978-458-6041
978-458-6041
Note---All Names Have Been Changed
Tootsie was so cute at the shelter that Mr. and Mrs.
Dobbs just had to take her home. There she was,
huddled in the corner, looking too adorable for words.
When they opened her cage she came over slowly with
her tail between her legs and Mrs. Dobbs' heart just
melted. They knew she had to come home with them.
Tootsie was a timid dog, but very nice to the Dobbs.
When guests would come over Tootsie would generally
hide between the Dobbs' feet. They thought she just
needed some time to adjust. About 3 months after adopting her, Tootsie stopped being timid and
started being aggressive. Mr. and Mrs. Dobbs were heartbroken. Tootsie had taken to snapping at
guests that came over and growling at strangers on the street. What had happened to their cute little
shelter dog?
Tootsie, like many dogs at the shelter, was likely unsocialized causing her to have fearful behavior.
Initially when they adopted her, Tootsie was too scared to be aggressive. Basically her fear was
holding back her aggression. However, as she became more comfortable in her environment Tootsie
went from being fearful to being aggressive. She learned she could get the "scary strangers" to move
away from her if she snapped at them.
When I first met with the Dobbs family I saw a very scared little dog. She didn't want anything to do with
me. We worked diligently on positive reinforcement and socialization. Tootsie was highly food
motivated and particularly loved hot dogs! We worked on changing her thought process...Instead of her
thinking that people were scary, we changed her mind so that she thought every person in the world
had a hot dog! Within about 6 months, Tootsie went from hiding between the Dobbs' legs to running
out and begging for treats from strangers.
Tootsie, like many shelter dogs, need socialization, obedience and a lot of positive reinforcement.
Many shelter dogs have been neglected and their trust of humans is minimal, if not, non-existent.
Most shelter dogs take about 3 months to become use to their new environment. Like Tootsie, many
don't exhibit behavior problems until that time.
If you adopted a rescue dog and are experiencing problems, please contact a professional to help you.
If you are thinking about adopting, contact a professional today. Citizen Canine encourages all newly
adopted dogs to be taught basic obedience and to be socialized.
Tootsie was so cute at the shelter that Mr. and Mrs.
Dobbs just had to take her home. There she was,
huddled in the corner, looking too adorable for words.
When they opened her cage she came over slowly with
her tail between her legs and Mrs. Dobbs' heart just
melted. They knew she had to come home with them.
Tootsie was a timid dog, but very nice to the Dobbs.
When guests would come over Tootsie would generally
hide between the Dobbs' feet. They thought she just
needed some time to adjust. About 3 months after adopting her, Tootsie stopped being timid and
started being aggressive. Mr. and Mrs. Dobbs were heartbroken. Tootsie had taken to snapping at
guests that came over and growling at strangers on the street. What had happened to their cute little
shelter dog?
Tootsie, like many dogs at the shelter, was likely unsocialized causing her to have fearful behavior.
Initially when they adopted her, Tootsie was too scared to be aggressive. Basically her fear was
holding back her aggression. However, as she became more comfortable in her environment Tootsie
went from being fearful to being aggressive. She learned she could get the "scary strangers" to move
away from her if she snapped at them.
When I first met with the Dobbs family I saw a very scared little dog. She didn't want anything to do with
me. We worked diligently on positive reinforcement and socialization. Tootsie was highly food
motivated and particularly loved hot dogs! We worked on changing her thought process...Instead of her
thinking that people were scary, we changed her mind so that she thought every person in the world
had a hot dog! Within about 6 months, Tootsie went from hiding between the Dobbs' legs to running
out and begging for treats from strangers.
Tootsie, like many shelter dogs, need socialization, obedience and a lot of positive reinforcement.
Many shelter dogs have been neglected and their trust of humans is minimal, if not, non-existent.
Most shelter dogs take about 3 months to become use to their new environment. Like Tootsie, many
don't exhibit behavior problems until that time.
If you adopted a rescue dog and are experiencing problems, please contact a professional to help you.
If you are thinking about adopting, contact a professional today. Citizen Canine encourages all newly
adopted dogs to be taught basic obedience and to be socialized.
Terrified Tootsie:
The Case Of The Terrified Shelter Dog
The Case Of The Terrified Shelter Dog
Tootsie
