Meeting a rescue dog tonight!

[Morwenna]

My sister’s rescue GSP was exactly the same with humping and mouthing (and submissive weeing in the house). The humping and mouthing were when she needed to calm down. She couldn’t be shut in another room at that point and crates freaked her out so she would be put on a very short lead and ignored and generally after a few minutes fussing she’d be fast asleep. The submissive weeing got better as her confidence grew and as she realised she wouldn’t be punished (suspect she had been in at least one of her previous homes).

 

[Karran]

It sounds like you're doing really well! She's a lovely dog - I agree with the others about it probably being over-excited/over tired behaviour!

Keep the updates coming!

 

[ArklePig]

Thank you @Karran ! Sometimes I feel I shouldn't have custody of a fly lol but I reckon we'll get there. She is very cute and snuggly when she's not being anxious and we love her loads. Last night she finally grasped that for us to play fetch she has to actually drop the toy. I was so proud of her lol. I guess that's why we second guess, we want to make sure we're doing the right things and are afraid of mentally scarring her or something.

 

[Pearlsacarolsinger]

You are doing absolutely fine! Young dogs do get overtired easily, just try to catch her before that stage (easier said than done) and pop her in a crate or somewhere quiet with a chew toy/ Kong for a rest. If you miss the signs, quiet time after the behaviour has started will work to break the cycle. If you can build quiet times into your routine, that will help her.

 

[Karran]

Thank you @Karran ! Sometimes I feel I shouldn't have custody of a fly lol but I reckon we'll get there. She is very cute and snuggly when she's not being anxious and we love her loads. Last night she finally grasped that for us to play fetch she has to actually drop the toy. I was so proud of her lol. I guess that's why we second guess, we want to make sure we're doing the right things and are afraid of mentally scarring her or something.

Been there done that and occasionally still have same thoughts, except a fly sounds a bit responsible! Maybe a seamonkey? If you search you can see some of the posts I've made about my rehomed collie. I spent months, if not years second guessing myself about doing things the wrong way and making things worse! Stick with your instincts and you'll be flying in no time!

 

[Christmascinnamoncookie]

You sound like you’re doing really well with her. She will settle, you will look back at this thread next year and realise she’s a totally different girl.

Is the neighbour’s dog jumping out of its garden? I’d see if I could have a word with the owner, hopefully he’s not an idiot unreasonable owner like the one Tiddlypom has been writing about and will secure the dog better. If it isn’t attacking, teach her the watch me command, treat in hand, ignore other dog/distraction, walk past swiftly without hesitation. My lot know the come on/let’s go command which means ignore, move on.

 

[Clodagh]

My sister’s rescue GSP was exactly the same with humping and mouthing (and submissive weeing in the house). The humping and mouthing were when she needed to calm down. She couldn’t be shut in another room at that point and crates freaked her out so she would be put on a very short lead and ignored and generally after a few minutes fussing she’d be fast asleep. The submissive weeing got better as her confidence grew and as she realised she wouldn’t be punished (suspect she had been in at least one of her previous homes).

Add to what Morwhenna says, you don’t want her to think time out is a punishment. It’s a happy time. But not exciting! If she’s not wanting to be shut away just get her to lie down/ distract but it’s not a time for trying to teach anything.

 

[nagblagger]

Think how far you have come, it's been less than a week, strange dog in completely alien environment, now settling and accepting boundaries. Don't put yourself down you are doing so well.

 

[ArklePig]

Thanks everyone.

I'm most pleased to announce there has been no humping today.

 

[ArklePig]

Silly update-the dog trainer seemed to really like Fodhla and said she was 'a very sweet dog who's highly trainable'. I feel so happy and delighted that others see what I see in her.

I know everything she's at is to be expected from a dog at this stage, it's not that I expect her to be perfect, it's that we want to make sure that we're setting her up for success.

 

[ArklePig]

Working from home today, whereas OH has been with her the last few days. She was okay earlier, a little bit of whining and howling but settled. She went out to toilet at 11 and took her about 30 mins to settle down - nothing bad just pacing about and then she took herself to bed. While she was sleeping I had to run out to get drop the car at the garage, totally unplanned to leave her alone but I think my timing chain is on the way out so had to be done, anyway when I arrived home 30 mins later she barely stirred. She's currently snoring beside me in her bed. I'd planned to take her out for play time at lunch but I am going to let sleeping dogs lie for right now and will take her out a bit later. Am nervous because I've been taking her out every 2 hours until she gets to know the craic with telling me she wants out to pee but hopefully she'll not go in her bed.

There has been no humping and no mouthing. I kind of feel bad that OH got the difficult first few days at home but I'm just counting my blessings she didn't kick off while I was on online court this morning.

 

[MyBoyChe]

Youre doing great, the most important thing is that you love her and you care about her, thats already obvious. The rest will come. Whats that saying, no bad dogs, only bad owners. Youre already a great owner because you realise you dont know it all and are happy to ask for help and listen to suggestions. Shes one very lucky little pup x

 

[ArklePig]

Thanks! I really wouldn't have survived these last few days without this forum so I really just want to thank everyone for their advice and support and reassurance that we're doing our best.

 

[ArklePig]

There has been no humping and no mouthing.

Never mind. It's a bit like saying 'I haven't fallen off in ages' isn't it. Probably shouldn't have said that either ?

 

[ArklePig]

We rented a secure field for half an hour this morning. Lots of zoomies were had and she was all tuckered out after. Usually when she comes home from being out she can get a bit wound up, so I gave her a yak bar when we got home. She nibbled at it for a while, hid it in her crate, and now she's snoozing beside me. She's obviously a handful but she is settling more and more every day.

She also had her first trip to pets at home early this morning when it was very quiet which she enjoyed. Except we met a man who told us he had a Belgian malinois and a mastiff and gave us loads of useless advice about how we have to teach her we're the leaders of the pack. Was all I could do not to tell him to eff off but I made vague noises until Mr AP pretended he needed me in a different section lol.

 

[Clodagh]

We rented a secure field for half an hour this morning. Lots of zoomies were had and she was all tuckered out after. Usually when she comes home from being out she can get a bit wound up, so I gave her a yak bar when we got home. She nibbled at it for a while, hid it in her crate, and now she's snoozing beside me. She's obviously a handful but she is settling more and more every day.

She also had her first trip to pets at home early this morning when it was very quiet which she enjoyed. Except we met a man who told us he had a Belgian malinois and a mastiff and gave us loads of useless advice about how we have to teach her we're the leaders of the pack. Was all I could do not to tell him to eff off but I made vague noises until Mr AP pretended he needed me in a different section lol.

Great update. What a blessing that helpful man was around to share his wisdom. ?.
You are doing a brilliant job.

 

[ArklePig]

Thank you @Clodagh.

I should have said we had a poo inside this morning because I accidentally let her upstairs so that's my fault, carpet still equals poo it seems. I'm going through quite a lot of that enzyme remover ?There was a bit of humping and mouthing last night but nothing major and she gave up trying quicker than usual. We just love her so much and her sleeping beside me is so rewarding

Hate random 'helpful' men though. NO ONE ASKED YOU.

 

[Pearlsacarolsinger]

Just be careful with Yak bars, they do have cows milk in and upset one of our Labs. She did eat a whole one in one go, though!

 

[ArklePig]

Yikes PS that's scary. We are supervising her but I will be extremely vigilant that's scary.

 

[Christmascinnamoncookie]

We rented a secure field for half an hour this morning. Lots of zoomies were had and she was all tuckered out after. Usually when she comes home from being out she can get a bit wound up, so I gave her a yak bar when we got home. She nibbled at it for a while, hid it in her crate, and now she's snoozing beside me. She's obviously a handful but she is settling more and more every day.

She also had her first trip to pets at home early this morning when it was very quiet which she enjoyed. Except we met a man who told us he had a Belgian malinois and a mastiff and gave us loads of useless advice about how we have to teach her we're the leaders of the pack. Was all I could do not to tell him to eff off but I made vague noises until Mr AP pretended he needed me in a different section lol.

Oh lord save us from random ‘alpha pack leader’ types! I had a lady tell us that we had to ‘look him in the eyes’ when we mentioned that Zak was not great with other dogs. Hmm, he liked to stare at us anyway, so bit pointless to look him in the eye!

What I like about this place is that there are lots of experienced people but as it’s virtual, you can take it or leave it after see what works for your dog. They’re all different, as Aunty Barbara always said.

 

[splashgirl45]

Never mind. It's a bit like saying 'I haven't fallen off in ages' isn't it. Probably shouldn't have said that either ?

i said almost exactly that and i fell off and was seriously injured the following week?? it must have been at least 14 years ago when i last fell off..

 

[ArklePig]

Just going to leave this here.

 

[ArklePig]

I actually can't cope. She was a perfect angel all day after her fun trip to the field this morning, she chewed her yak, played with some toys, snoozed on the sofa. Then she went out for a walk with OH tonight-I'd say 30/40 mins max. Then when she came home she was like hell on wheels with the humping and the mouthing (they always seem to go together). She wasn't interested in any distraction at all she just wanted to hump and mouth and it was like a crazy anxiety spiral. I actually cried and told OH I don't want her. I do want her I'm just at a loss.
She's hardly getting over stimulated from a walk and a zoom around the field this morning? Has anyone any tips please I just don't know how to prevent it.

 

[bonny]

Do you know why she was rehomed ? I was wondering if she was like this in her previous home or if you are seeing new behaviours ?

 

[CorvusCorax]

That actually does sound like a busy day for a non-working pet dog.

Put a light hand line on her collar, maybe two hand lengths, no loop to catch on anything, just cut the end off a cheap leash and either knot the end or burn it off with a lighter.
Physically get her off you using the line, hold her out and away from you with the line and tell her to knock it off.
When she snaps out of it, calmly reward with a toy or food.
To be honest I'd be telling her verbally when she looks like she's thinking about it, to not think about it, then again, when she's been shocked out of doing it, you can give her something else to do.
I have a very authoritative HEY!
Generally, speak, move and act calmly but firmly, it's not optional.

In fairness if she's repeated the behaviour several times, she obviously thinks she's 'allowed' and either what you have done to stop it already has been ineffectual, or the buzz it gives her outweighs any a) admonishment b) positive alternative that you are giving her.

So for me I'd be either upping the level of 'don't do that' or finding out what would be best to fulfill that need in her. Ideally a combination of both.

You also have to teach her a 'place'/bed command so that she will go and chill out when told to.

It would be lovely if we could achieve absolutely everything by positivity and motivation and most times I do, but sometimes dogs have to do/not do things because we told them to/not to.
Just 'be a good dog' without being plied too much with anything.
My young one can over-exert herself and start manically biting my hands, she just gets held in the collar/in place until she calms TF down.

 

[skinnydipper]

This is not her fault.

Too much, far too soon, has taken her over the threshold of what she can cope with.

She left her previous home, spent time in a rescue and came to a new home. Her stress hormones would be high. These can take days to drop to normal levels.

Start again, give her a chance to settle in and calm down.

Things you can do at home:

Occupy her mind.

Give her soft food on a Likimat, kibble in something like a Kong Wobbler, or scatter feed.

Give her something to chew, not something hard she could break her teeth on, chewing is relaxing.

Teach her to watch you and reward. To touch your hand (nose target). Both of these will be useful when you go out - engagement and recall.

Teach her to settle

I don't use a crate/cage so I teach "on your bed" which is the dog's own bed and also "on the mat" which is a piece of vet bed.

Mat training is handy if you are going somewhere like a cafe and want him to settle. You can just roll it up and put it in a yoga mat bag and take it with you.

Go to the mat, call your dog, ask him to lie on the mat and reward him for doing so and then use your release word, I use OK, and then throw a treat away from the mat so that he leaves the mat and you can call him back again. Rinse and repeat. Each time you ask him to lie on the mat, slightly extend the period you are asking him to stay in a down before you release him. Maybe do it half a dozen times each session, a few times a day, for as many days as is necessary.

When he is lying down for longer periods have the mat near your chair and reward him periodically for not moving from the mat without actually releasing him. If he leaves the mat before you have released him just call him back again and ask him to lie down.

You will get to the point when you can just say "on your bed" or "on the mat" and he will go and settle without rewarding or throwing treats.

Hope that helps.

Take it slowly, be patient.

ETA. Read up on trigger stacking.

 

[Clodagh]

Remember if she was a new baby puppy you’d got she would be difficult, new dogs are difficult. She is as overwhelmed as you are. I agree with both CC and SD. Do way less with her, tiring young dogs out is not the answer to them being better behaved.
When she’s calm do some engagement training. You may have seen my conversation with CC about the stop whistle, well just try for a nudge or a direct look (whichever works) for a ‘yes’ and treat.

 

[Archangel]

If it is any comfort - my friend has just taken on a rescue (hound,pointer and something else cross) and it is quite a hill to climb for both of them. No humping but she has managed to fit in an emergency overnight stay at the vets instead.

 

[scats]

It’s very early days and as someone has said, if she were a puppy, you’d be in that hard early days period so I’d see it as very similar to that.
Accept the little wins at the moment and try to distract her from behaviour you don’t want.
I have a variety of noises I make when I am grooming to stop a dog doing unwanted behaviour. It can be enough to get their attention and then I reward that. Can you make a noise that you can use solely as a ‘stop what you are doing and focus on me’ signal? A good one is rolling your tongue (is that what it’s called?).

 

[ArklePig]

Her little face greeting me this morning was the cutest thing ever and I feel so guilty that I cried about her.

@bonny she's just stressed, it's not a personality flaw.

She has all the chews, licks, mats, etc and she just doesn't want them so I think being better prepared for before it starts is my answer here- we have been teaching bed, watch etc but we need to do more as it flies out of her head as soon as she freaks out. I will definitely attach a line as well.

She was an absolute angel all day, I knew that second walk was going to be a mistake, lesson learned.

And no I didn't expect her to be easy she's actually better than I expected in lots of ways.

I love her so much but feel like I'm just fucking her up.