A new rescue dog but I'm worried.
Discussion
First of all thank you for your kind comments on our loss of Petra. I’m missing her more than ever.
After a very brief period we decided we had a dog shaped hole in our life and got in touch with GSD Rescue.
They told us of several dogs and we decided to go and meet Luann (name changed by us) who is black short coated GSD b
h (I can’t post pics at the moment as home broadband is down). Her background was mostly unknown but she was allegedly rescued from a breeder in a poor state by being bought off gumtree for £50. The person that rescued her handed her to GSD rescue after a week stating she couldn’t keep her as she was not getting on with her own dogs.
Luann stayed with a GSD Rescue assessor overnight and then was passed on to a foster home on Thursday. We picked her up on Saturday so she has been from pillar to post.
She is known to be mostly deaf and we were told (based upon the GSD assessors vet report) she had cataracts which the GSD Rescue agreed to pay to have operated on as well as spaying.
She is thought to have had a litter of pups and to be about 3 years old.
We took her to our vets last night who examined her and sais she is more likely to be between 4 and 5, not 100 sure if she is spayed (no sign of a scar) but that she does not have cataracts but has a degenerative eye disease called Pannus to which GSD’s are prone. The vet said this is not operable and the advance can be slowed with eye drops. Luann doesn’t like eyedrops and won’t let us near with the dropper.
The GSD Rescue have said that they would be happy to take her back and although I’m not really bonding with her (yet) this may be because of missing Petra and I’m willing to give her a chance.
She is very thin and for the most part well behaved, house trained etc.
She did have a go at me when I tried to take a ball from her but that was probably my fault for being forceful instead of persuasive. On offering a treat she dropped the ball instantly.
A big concern is that she was sick in the car yesterday and was obviously feeling unwell (excessive drooling) on a much shorter journey. We travel a lot so it would be very difficult to have a dog that doesn’t travel well and it was one of the questions we asked about her. We spoke to the vet who said that can be trained out of car sickness but it does concern me.
Sorry for rattling on but so much information to impart. Mt big concerns are
Timescale for eyesight degeneration with Pannus
Cos of the treatments for Pannus as it’s a pre-existing condition
She just doesn’t make me feel good about her 9Black dogs can look a bit sinister)
Any advice/viewpoints appreciated
Missing Petra! Almost in tears thinking about her.
After a very brief period we decided we had a dog shaped hole in our life and got in touch with GSD Rescue.
They told us of several dogs and we decided to go and meet Luann (name changed by us) who is black short coated GSD b
h (I can’t post pics at the moment as home broadband is down). Her background was mostly unknown but she was allegedly rescued from a breeder in a poor state by being bought off gumtree for £50. The person that rescued her handed her to GSD rescue after a week stating she couldn’t keep her as she was not getting on with her own dogs. Luann stayed with a GSD Rescue assessor overnight and then was passed on to a foster home on Thursday. We picked her up on Saturday so she has been from pillar to post.
She is known to be mostly deaf and we were told (based upon the GSD assessors vet report) she had cataracts which the GSD Rescue agreed to pay to have operated on as well as spaying.
She is thought to have had a litter of pups and to be about 3 years old.
We took her to our vets last night who examined her and sais she is more likely to be between 4 and 5, not 100 sure if she is spayed (no sign of a scar) but that she does not have cataracts but has a degenerative eye disease called Pannus to which GSD’s are prone. The vet said this is not operable and the advance can be slowed with eye drops. Luann doesn’t like eyedrops and won’t let us near with the dropper.
The GSD Rescue have said that they would be happy to take her back and although I’m not really bonding with her (yet) this may be because of missing Petra and I’m willing to give her a chance.
She is very thin and for the most part well behaved, house trained etc.
She did have a go at me when I tried to take a ball from her but that was probably my fault for being forceful instead of persuasive. On offering a treat she dropped the ball instantly.
A big concern is that she was sick in the car yesterday and was obviously feeling unwell (excessive drooling) on a much shorter journey. We travel a lot so it would be very difficult to have a dog that doesn’t travel well and it was one of the questions we asked about her. We spoke to the vet who said that can be trained out of car sickness but it does concern me.
Sorry for rattling on but so much information to impart. Mt big concerns are
Timescale for eyesight degeneration with Pannus
Cos of the treatments for Pannus as it’s a pre-existing condition
She just doesn’t make me feel good about her 9Black dogs can look a bit sinister)
Any advice/viewpoints appreciated
Missing Petra! Almost in tears thinking about her.
Hi TT. I understand completely your wish to have another dog to fill that hole. Funnily enough, MrsC was saying last week that when we lose our GSD, she couldn't have another (GSD) but a different dog as another would remind her too much of Duffy. Me, well, I'm a little blinkered to the breed, much as I like most dogs I would always go for a Shep myself.
To your questions: there seem to me to be two separate issues? The health, and the appearance? I think you need to break down the two and try to work your way through that. If you really can't get on with the appearance (and I can fully understand that although others may comment) then that probably answers everything. If you can then you need to decide whether you are ready to take on a higher-maintenance dog with all the effort and cost that entails.
I guess I'm rambling on without giving you an answer - sorry! - but ultimately it's for you & MrsTT to make the decision unfortunately.
I'm loosely connected with a GSD rescue, albeit in the South East, but PM me if you need any further help and I'll see if I can put you in touch with someone. There are some VERY knowledgable people in that organisation.
Just to add - thinking about this, I guess with the loss of Petra being so recent, you'll need time to (re) adjust anyway, maybe see how you start to feel over the next few days?
To your questions: there seem to me to be two separate issues? The health, and the appearance? I think you need to break down the two and try to work your way through that. If you really can't get on with the appearance (and I can fully understand that although others may comment) then that probably answers everything. If you can then you need to decide whether you are ready to take on a higher-maintenance dog with all the effort and cost that entails.
I guess I'm rambling on without giving you an answer - sorry! - but ultimately it's for you & MrsTT to make the decision unfortunately.
I'm loosely connected with a GSD rescue, albeit in the South East, but PM me if you need any further help and I'll see if I can put you in touch with someone. There are some VERY knowledgable people in that organisation.
Just to add - thinking about this, I guess with the loss of Petra being so recent, you'll need time to (re) adjust anyway, maybe see how you start to feel over the next few days?
Edited by CAPP0 on Tuesday 3rd June 10:57
Typical dog home scam of 'clocking' their stock and rolling back the age on them.
If there are a bunch of health issues already known they you need to bear in mind no insurance is going to cover them. So you need to either get an assurance that the bills will be covered by the rescue home, or that you're willing to pay these yourself.
Its a big ask to take on a sick dog, good luck with whatever you do. If you decide it won't work then don't feel bad about it, trading it back in is still going to leave one GSD that didn't have a home, with one
If there are a bunch of health issues already known they you need to bear in mind no insurance is going to cover them. So you need to either get an assurance that the bills will be covered by the rescue home, or that you're willing to pay these yourself.
Its a big ask to take on a sick dog, good luck with whatever you do. If you decide it won't work then don't feel bad about it, trading it back in is still going to leave one GSD that didn't have a home, with one
Thanks to both of you.
Heart versus head issues but I think its too late as the little black devil has already weedled her way into SWMBO's heart.
I'm warming to her.
Any dog can get sick and our last two cost us a fortune but it goes with the territory.
The car sickness bit worries me most as we travel a lot visiting friends.
Heart versus head issues but I think its too late as the little black devil has already weedled her way into SWMBO's heart.
I'm warming to her.
Any dog can get sick and our last two cost us a fortune but it goes with the territory.
The car sickness bit worries me most as we travel a lot visiting friends.
Like clocking the dogs, this is unfortunately another common issue. Lies told to get a dog out the door, and by the time it comes to light the kids or wife burst into tears when big bad dad says the dog
is going back, then he relents for an easy life
Bloody annoying as horror stories spread and make rehoming in general harder!
is going back, then he relents for an easy life
Bloody annoying as horror stories spread and make rehoming in general harder!
I think my mums new Staffy has been clocked too, the rescue centre claimed that she (the Staffy) is 8 years old but her fur is like that of a puppy and she has very little fur on her belly. The pads on her paws are soft like pink mashmallows too, her eyes are crystal clear without a hint of cloudiness but her teeth look like they've seen some milage and she's had to have some fatty lumps and a tooth removed.
I'm thinking my mum has a cut & shut dog TBH.
I'm thinking my mum has a cut & shut dog TBH.
scdan4 said:
everything we've ever had out of a rescue has been at best 'clocked' more normally completely misdiscribed.
Doesn't matter one jot. That's the mutt you've got.
Which is a good thing, and you'll love it, as you already know that you do
The problem is, if they're lying about the mileage what else are they lying about??Doesn't matter one jot. That's the mutt you've got.
Which is a good thing, and you'll love it, as you already know that you do
The age in itself wouldn't put me off.... The fact they were now known to be lying to me would. You now can't trust the health report or why it ended up in the home in the first place.
In fairness the background storry on Luann couldn't be much worse so I doubt its doctored.
She is settling (he said hopefully) and its still only 5 days since we picked her up.
I reassemble dthe rear of the car last night (after disassembly to remove dog vomit from under the cargo rails etc) and when I finished I took her out to the car and she happily jumped straight in the back. I sat with her for a few minutes and fed her treats in order to begin the process of reinforcing this as a postive place to be. Tomorrow she'll have short journey to the park and see how she holds up.
She let me tak a ball of her last night with no struglle. She did this a cuple of times (no treats involved) after which she ran off and settled down to chew on it. No further aggression and she will allow he food bowl to be removed while she's eating.
She picks things up quickly. Already sitting on (visual) command and leaving things and will stay when told so either she's had some previous training or she's quick on the uptake.
She is what she is. The question was whether we (I) would be able to keep her in our circumstances. Its looking likely but still early days. She, and we, are in a probationary period but I will do all I can to ensure we all pass.
She is settling (he said hopefully) and its still only 5 days since we picked her up.
I reassemble dthe rear of the car last night (after disassembly to remove dog vomit from under the cargo rails etc) and when I finished I took her out to the car and she happily jumped straight in the back. I sat with her for a few minutes and fed her treats in order to begin the process of reinforcing this as a postive place to be. Tomorrow she'll have short journey to the park and see how she holds up.
She let me tak a ball of her last night with no struglle. She did this a cuple of times (no treats involved) after which she ran off and settled down to chew on it. No further aggression and she will allow he food bowl to be removed while she's eating.
She picks things up quickly. Already sitting on (visual) command and leaving things and will stay when told so either she's had some previous training or she's quick on the uptake.
She is what she is. The question was whether we (I) would be able to keep her in our circumstances. Its looking likely but still early days. She, and we, are in a probationary period but I will do all I can to ensure we all pass.
Tyre Tread said:
I reassemble dthe rear of the car last night (after disassembly to remove dog vomit from under the cargo rails etc) and when I finished I took her out to the car and she happily jumped straight in the back. I sat with her for a few minutes and fed her treats in order to begin the process of reinforcing this as a postive place to be. Tomorrow she'll have short journey to the park and see how she holds up.
My rescue dog had to be physically forced into the car the first couple of times, crying and scratching. She quickly realised car trip = going to the beach and getting a steak or some other treat as soon as we arrive, within a couple of days she was happily jumping in the cage herself. They're quick learners when they're getting something out of it for themselves 
Edited by KFC on Friday 6th June 17:59
I had my GSD for fifteen great years, she was a rescue (I found her loose on the road, took her to the RSPCA dogs' home and when she wasn't claimed and was on "death row" took her on even though I already had two Springer Spaniels).
When I first had her she was not trained in any way, was skin and bone, was destructive if left for a few minutes and always car sick. I soon learned the art of car clean-up (the Daily Telegraph is a very good car liner) It took a few weeks of always coming out with me before she settled in the car, the separation anxiety/destruction took about a year to resolve and we were trained by a retired Police Dog Trainer to get some manners in her (plus a few handy tricks).
All my dogs have been rescues, some were old to start with and with me for shorter times. I've been without her for six years now and still miss her, I miss them all. It does depend on your circumstances, but I'm glad I persevered, I wish you well with her.
When I first had her she was not trained in any way, was skin and bone, was destructive if left for a few minutes and always car sick. I soon learned the art of car clean-up (the Daily Telegraph is a very good car liner) It took a few weeks of always coming out with me before she settled in the car, the separation anxiety/destruction took about a year to resolve and we were trained by a retired Police Dog Trainer to get some manners in her (plus a few handy tricks).
All my dogs have been rescues, some were old to start with and with me for shorter times. I've been without her for six years now and still miss her, I miss them all. It does depend on your circumstances, but I'm glad I persevered, I wish you well with her.
KFC said:
Being able to take her food & ball is important - but she doesn't know what you are doing & you don't know what she associates it with.
I'd be concentrating on fussing her & you both falling in love, then the training can start - she'll want to do it to please you then.
We didn't know either of our rescues history (collie x was passed from pillar to post til we took her @ 12 weeks, the Dobie had been dumped on the side of the M42 at J5, fortunately she went on to a friends land!), with both we let them settle, get used to us & their new home before training; which then took days
I've been trying to train her a bit and its absolutely hopeless, to the point where I'm going to take her to a pro for some sort of 1 on 1 obedience classes. I foster dogs regularly and always try and train them a bit, and this one has easily been the worst as far as learning basic commands go. As luck would have it, its the one I had already decided to keep myself
She's very comfortable around me, she's definitely not scared at all at this point. She'll always come and jump in my lap when I'm working, run up to me when I come home, always wants to sit next to me etc. So we're definitely past the point where she should be starting to learn to sit, stay, down, etc.
The weird thing is she's absolutely brilliant around people, even if she doesn't know someone she'll happily let them stroke her and be near her etc. I just can't understand why training her to 'stay' is near impossible. Its a shame as we're away camping for a break right now and she's got to go in the cage when she can't be on the lead. So my own dog is charging up and down the grassy area while I'm working on the BBQ, and she's stuck in a 4 foot long cage as I don't feel its safe to let her out as I have absolutely zero confidence in the ability to recall her
She's very comfortable around me, she's definitely not scared at all at this point. She'll always come and jump in my lap when I'm working, run up to me when I come home, always wants to sit next to me etc. So we're definitely past the point where she should be starting to learn to sit, stay, down, etc.
The weird thing is she's absolutely brilliant around people, even if she doesn't know someone she'll happily let them stroke her and be near her etc. I just can't understand why training her to 'stay' is near impossible. Its a shame as we're away camping for a break right now and she's got to go in the cage when she can't be on the lead. So my own dog is charging up and down the grassy area while I'm working on the BBQ, and she's stuck in a 4 foot long cage as I don't feel its safe to let her out as I have absolutely zero confidence in the ability to recall her
Sorry to hear about the loss of your dog. We have a GSD and I could almost bring myself to tears thinking about how short their life is with us humans.
That said, as hard as it must be, I assume you will have given your previous dog a great life and really, what more can you ask for than that. I wonder if I'll be so positive when we are faced with the loss of our dog hopefully not for many many years yet)but I'd like to think that I would take comfort in the fact that we will have given her a brilliant life.
As for new gsd's car sickness, this is going to take time. Ours was a nightmare in the car at first - being sick, crying and even breaking wind! lol but with patience and understanding things have greatly improved. Now at 3 years old, I wouldn't say she loves the car but she at least tolerates it!
If you're feeling a bit stressed and uptight right now, then this is going to impact on the dog - especially a rescue dog who has been through a tougher time than most! Give it time, remember it's not going to happen overnight and try and remind yourself, that you're not going to replace your previous dog. Your new pooch has its own wee personality and mannerisms and with your guidance, love and attention will no doubt turn into a great companion.
As for the health issues, I can't comment too much I'm afraid. If you have insurance, can afford to keep the dog and are prepared to put in the time, then I can't think of anything more admirable than to help this dog live the best life it can.
Good luck!
That said, as hard as it must be, I assume you will have given your previous dog a great life and really, what more can you ask for than that. I wonder if I'll be so positive when we are faced with the loss of our dog hopefully not for many many years yet)but I'd like to think that I would take comfort in the fact that we will have given her a brilliant life.
As for new gsd's car sickness, this is going to take time. Ours was a nightmare in the car at first - being sick, crying and even breaking wind! lol but with patience and understanding things have greatly improved. Now at 3 years old, I wouldn't say she loves the car but she at least tolerates it!
If you're feeling a bit stressed and uptight right now, then this is going to impact on the dog - especially a rescue dog who has been through a tougher time than most! Give it time, remember it's not going to happen overnight and try and remind yourself, that you're not going to replace your previous dog. Your new pooch has its own wee personality and mannerisms and with your guidance, love and attention will no doubt turn into a great companion.
As for the health issues, I can't comment too much I'm afraid. If you have insurance, can afford to keep the dog and are prepared to put in the time, then I can't think of anything more admirable than to help this dog live the best life it can.
Good luck!
Time for an update:
I really must get round to uploading some pictures.
Anyway, the poor girl is far better behaved then we could wish for with one exception which I will get to in a minute.
She has settled in well and is great with people and especially with dogs. This is a huge relief as our previous dogs were both temperamental with other dogs.
Because of her car sickness I have been unable to take her to work each day as planned so we took a chance on leaving her at home during the day. Not ideal but it seems to work out well as there is no mess and no destruction.
Mrs. TT takes her out before work in the morning an then again for a much longer walk when she gets home in the evening and I usually take her for a quick stroll before bed.
In a couple of weeks a neighbour retires and will be spending time in our back garden growing veg and he has fallen for her big time so she will be out in the garden with him most days.
She had a rash on her tummy and ‘arm’ pits which has cleared up after a dose of antibiotics and she is slowly putting on weight.
The only issue is that she wants to sleep upstairs. Our other dogs weren’t allowed upstairs and quickly got the hint that they slept downstairs. Luann is having none of that.
We have tried leaving a light on for her, barricading the stairs (she’s a hell of a Houdini) but she whimpers and refuses to stay downstairs.
We think that as her hearing is so poor she needs the comfort of other pack members around her to alert her to danger.
Over the last couple of weeks she has ended up sleeping on the landing but she has been scratching at the bedroom door and whimpering.
Last night we tried letting her sleep on the landing with the bedroom door open and a baby gate installed but she still whimpered. I ended up falling asleep on the bedroom floor trying to get her to settle on the landing the other side of the gate.
We will persist!
Other than the car sickness and determination to sleep near us she’s a sweet pooch and she has started to become protective of the house. Quite funny that if she sees movement she reacts but people arrive, ring the bell and are let in before she even realises.
SWMBO has started taking het to training classes but TBH I don’t think she needs them as she walks well on the lead and is generally well behaved.
I have taught her to wait before leaving the house and when arriving back, to wait at her bowl before eating and to leave the food until she is told she can have it, to sit on command and to give a paw which took only 5 attempts before she got the hang of it.
I’m sure her hearing and eyesight will be a challenge but she seems to be settling in well and loves a tummy rub.
I really must get round to uploading some pictures.
Anyway, the poor girl is far better behaved then we could wish for with one exception which I will get to in a minute.
She has settled in well and is great with people and especially with dogs. This is a huge relief as our previous dogs were both temperamental with other dogs.
Because of her car sickness I have been unable to take her to work each day as planned so we took a chance on leaving her at home during the day. Not ideal but it seems to work out well as there is no mess and no destruction.
Mrs. TT takes her out before work in the morning an then again for a much longer walk when she gets home in the evening and I usually take her for a quick stroll before bed.
In a couple of weeks a neighbour retires and will be spending time in our back garden growing veg and he has fallen for her big time so she will be out in the garden with him most days.
She had a rash on her tummy and ‘arm’ pits which has cleared up after a dose of antibiotics and she is slowly putting on weight.
The only issue is that she wants to sleep upstairs. Our other dogs weren’t allowed upstairs and quickly got the hint that they slept downstairs. Luann is having none of that.
We have tried leaving a light on for her, barricading the stairs (she’s a hell of a Houdini) but she whimpers and refuses to stay downstairs.
We think that as her hearing is so poor she needs the comfort of other pack members around her to alert her to danger.
Over the last couple of weeks she has ended up sleeping on the landing but she has been scratching at the bedroom door and whimpering.
Last night we tried letting her sleep on the landing with the bedroom door open and a baby gate installed but she still whimpered. I ended up falling asleep on the bedroom floor trying to get her to settle on the landing the other side of the gate.
We will persist!
Other than the car sickness and determination to sleep near us she’s a sweet pooch and she has started to become protective of the house. Quite funny that if she sees movement she reacts but people arrive, ring the bell and are let in before she even realises.
SWMBO has started taking het to training classes but TBH I don’t think she needs them as she walks well on the lead and is generally well behaved.
I have taught her to wait before leaving the house and when arriving back, to wait at her bowl before eating and to leave the food until she is told she can have it, to sit on command and to give a paw which took only 5 attempts before she got the hang of it.
I’m sure her hearing and eyesight will be a challenge but she seems to be settling in well and loves a tummy rub.
Tyre Tread said:
We think that as her hearing is so poor she needs the comfort of other pack members around her to alert her to danger.
I have a rescue dog who was born deaf and a lot of people will refer to deaf dogs as 'Velcro-dogs' as they don't like to be alone, at least when they know you're nearby. If I get up to make a drink, Cindy will follow me. If she is asleep the first thing she does when waking up is to check where I am and come find me if I'm not in the same room. So I think you may have to compromise when it comes to where she sleeps for the time being, maybe letting her be close to you then gradually changing it as she settles down as if she is hard of hearing she maybe a bit clingy. If she does have hearing problems I'd also suggest that you start to reward her if she is ever startled having not heard your presence. Some dogs can be a bit jumpy and they only way they know how to react is to be defensive, especially is they're half asleep and have no idea what is going on.Thanks Fugazi, that's good insight from someone with experience.
Our last GDS was so self sufficient sometimes we wondered if she'd miss us as long as the food kept turning up on time. The sweetest, softest, cuddliest dog you ever met (or in this case didn't meet).
Anyway, we had discussed whether a crate might be appropriate but based upon your experience I'll drop that idea now.
Luann doesn't startle easily at all and has no aggression issues that we have seen apart from one episode on the first day we had her that was entirely my fault.
Our last GDS was so self sufficient sometimes we wondered if she'd miss us as long as the food kept turning up on time. The sweetest, softest, cuddliest dog you ever met (or in this case didn't meet).
Anyway, we had discussed whether a crate might be appropriate but based upon your experience I'll drop that idea now.
Luann doesn't startle easily at all and has no aggression issues that we have seen apart from one episode on the first day we had her that was entirely my fault.
Ours has the same temperament and if disturbed from deep sleep she will look a bit startled for half a second before wagging her tail and accepting a bit of a rub, so any good behaviour is always rewarded just to reinforce the message. You'll be amazed at how adaptable a dog with hearing issues can be. Most people would have no idea Cindy is deaf until you start whistling, clapping and shouting behind her and then they will start to believe you. Most dogs will recognise body language and hand signals just as readily as a verbal command, Cindy knows around fifteen hand signs and will easily pick up new ones with the help of some of the Primula squeezy cheese that comes in toothpaste tubes (this stuff is amazing as a small treat when training). When we first started off she knew around three or four hand signs but along the way we have developed more as needed, sometimes a hand sign might evolve into something different that both ourselves and Cindy find easier to distinguish and there are no hard and fast rules. I say this so that you might be aware that adding a hand sign to a verbal command may make it easier if she does end up with more pronounced deafness later on. I'd also make sure of your dogs ability to recall when off the lead while she can still hear to some extent, mine is only just three years old and being a terrier cross she is easily distracted by balls, other dogs, grass, butterflies, shadows, squirrels, balls, trees, stones, smells, balls, litter, balls..... So we don't let her off the lead in public and use a long line similar to what the police use, a double tug on the line will make her come back, a single tug means she will immediately sit, so you don't always need to use just sign language. We do have a sort of recall that looks like 'jazz hands' that only really works in the garden, out in public I don't want to really on me frantically waving like the Team America Secret Signal at a rapidly disappearing dog stealing other dogs balls.
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