Under socialised dog has kennel cough- how to start training?

Cherryblossom

Cherryblossom

Well-Known Member
Joined
3 May 2015
Messages
495
Location
Northern Ireland
Visit site
After a few years alternating between fostering dogs and travelling, we've finally settled down and are bringing our new rescue dog home next week.

He's a gorgeous (not that I'm biased!!) 1 year old terrier x, really sweet nature, smart as a knife.... Basically I'm totally smitten! He's apparently been coughing for a week, has had antibiotics, but it hasn't settled yet; we're guessing he'll be isolated for at least another 2 weeks when we get him.

He's come from a very abusive background- we don't know if there was physical violence, but what we do know is bad enough. :( he hasn't really been socialised, and while he's not terrible, he did try to get at some (but not all) dogs on our walk.

I've read lots about how to socialise dogs, and have done some before with our foster dogs. We plan on going to dog classes as well. My question is how should we best spend the next couple of weeks while he may still be infectious from his kennel cough? I was thinking we could work on teaching him some recall, and 'look at me'. I also wondered whether we could try some training from the car? If anyone has any ideas of how to make use of the time he's in isolation, I'd love to hear them!
 
If he has genuine Kennel Cough, then I'm surprised that his current owners are prepared to release the dog in to the outside world, and equally surprised that you're prepared to take him on, until he's well enough. If the dog's coming from a 'rescue' centre then they are equally irresponsible. Are you prepared for the costly veterinary treatment? You won't be able to insure him, and with genuine KC, they can be very poorly.

I would think very carefully before your next step, KC is a serious disease. If you speak with your vet, and they are in full approval of you bringing him home, ill, then be prepared for their string of bills!

Alec.
 
Hi Alex, thanks for the reply. The charity are holding on to him until he is cleared by the vet, but had advised us to keep him quarantined for several weeks after his symptoms end to be sure (and training class says he needs to be 28days free). I've had him out twice now for an hour each time, a mixture of gentle walking and just general handling. The first time he coughed occasionally, the second time, not at all. He's being seen by their vet again today, and won't be coming to us for at least another week, with a further vet check before release. I don't know whether it is 'genuine' kennel cough, but the charity have isolated him for several weeks now.

I was happy to take him on, and just continue with precautions as they seemed to be acting responsibly. Their dogs all go with one month of insurance which is an extension of their own insurance, and therefore covers per-existing problems. I wouldn't be taking him if I thought he was at all unwell, but he is already full of life, and still has at least a week more before being rehomed.

Sorry I didn't make all that clear- didn't want to write a total essay! Does all that sound reasonable to you? Is there anything else we should be asking or doing?
 
Cherryblossom,

it all sounds as though it's being managed well, and that you're aware of the possible complications. I'm impressed with the rescue's approach to extending the insurance whilst the dog's with you, for the first month. As you say, and I do understand, that rather than turn it in to an essay, you may have been a little brief! No problem.

With the common sense which you're applying, I'm sure that you will have many years of pleasure from each other! When he's able to go out and about, and to have him more accepting of other dogs, and whilst I have a rather jaundiced view of some training groups, I'd say that the company of other dogs, and in a controlled environment, would be exactly the way to go. With plenty of other dogs milling about, he should effectively be swamped by what he probably fears, and all to the good. Good luck!

Alec.
 
Thanks Alec (and sorry for speing your name wrong before!) The charity has an extremely good rep locally, and was the only one we were prepared to adopt through, so it's good to know you think they're behaving sensibly- I've read lots of good advice from you on here!

The dog in question has an unusual, and horrible background, which I won't go in to until he's actually mine! He seems brilliant with people though, so I think everything is fixable.... I'm sure I'll be asking lots more advice in the coming months! 😄
 
Tbh it's not the worst thing that he can't go out for the first few weeks - will allow you to bond and him to get to trust you so you'll have a solid background and hopefully he will be a bit more confident when he does start going out with you.
You can do some basic training, recall etc with him in then house and garden until you can go out.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Top