Rescuing animals, especially when they are several months old or older, means that you will never know how they were treated in their early formative weeks. Because of her fearful behavior, I thought that Louise might have been abused as a puppy. She came into our lives when she was 4 or 5 months old. Louise was fearful and shy from the moment we met her. Her foster said that she had a collar embedded in her neck and she was covered with Demodex (red mange). The rescue had liberated Louise and her sister, Thelma, from some guys in a pickup truck in the parking lot of a kill shelter down in South Carolina. Based on this story, I assumed she was neglected, if not worse, in her early months. Recently, I am rethinking that idea. I have been reading about the critical socialization time for puppies that occurs between 6 and 10 weeks. This is called the ‘sensitive period.” Before 6 weeks, puppies see everything in their world as good. This is the time that they associate smells and other things potentially as good stuff for the rest of their lives. Then around 5 or 6 weeks FEAR sets in.
In an article on early socialization, Dr. Sophia Yin, DMV, said that puppy’s need to be socialized as early as possible but definitely “before five weeks of age because by five weeks the puppy is showing fear responses to people, objects and other unfamiliarity around them.” She stresses that if socialization doesn’t start before 14 weeks of age “many puppies will be doomed to a life of fear” unless they go through a regimen of intense socialization. I wish I know this when I first rescued Louise because Dr. Yin’s message is clear, that socialization in the sensitive period “can be the difference between having a happy, well-adjusted dog to one who is fearful of people, objects, other animals, and various environments that we humans perceive as safe.”
You can read more regarding one of the most important studies done around early socialization in different breeds detailed in the book ‘Genetics and the Social Behavior of the Dog’ by John Paul Scott and John Fuller, published in 1965 (Scott and Fuller, 1965).
Louise 1st Photo
Instead of early abuse, maybe Louise was not socialized during her most sensitive development stage and that is why she developed her life-long fears. Louise is leash aggressive and afraid of strangers, both human an canine. Though I have worked with her to manage her behavior in stressful situations, it would really help if I understood the root causes.
When you rescue, it is rare to know what happened during that critical puppy time. Maybe when she was still little there were additional things I could have done to change that fear imprint. Over the years, I have done much to quiet her fears and provide a safe and supportive environment in which she has flourished. She is a very happy dog at home but fearful, especially on a leash, and needs special attention. Are there ways to undo the emotional damage in dogs?
Some days, walking Little, Middle, and Big feels like a parade. We are all marching down the street wagging and strutting. Maybe the cats will follow us in a float. You just never know.
This is a Wordless Wednesday Blog Hop. Thanks to BlogPaws for the hop. Head over there and see what they are blogging about.
The temperature went from cold to hot in a moment. I didn’t bring water and all the dogs’ did was pant and eat grass on our long walk today. Maybe I have 3 sheep instead of 3 dogs. I wonder if the grass tasted cool and moist, quenching their thirst until we got home to the water.
In case you were wondering, eating grass is fine for dogs. In my review of veterinarian and journal articles, no one really knows (or agrees on) why they do it, but they all say that it is not harmful. Basically, it has no nutritional value (sort of like iceberg lettuce). There is speculation that dogs eat grass when their tummies are upset, which I know is true. Mine have always eaten grass when they want to barf (especially Sofie). But, I also think they like the taste. Squash had a particular onion grass that he preferred each spring on my neighbor’s corner, and I find that Louise enjoys the same grass when it comes up.
The cats like grass too. We actually grow it indoors in hopes they will leave the houseplants alone. It doesn’t keep them from eating everything else, but they have fun with it. I know that the houseplants make the cats barf, but interestingly enough, I don’t find the grass does. Go figure?
My only concern with grass eating is when people starting putting all those chemicals on their lawns (which I hate). I make sure to keep the dogs off those surfaces so that they don’t get chem-paws, and so they don’t ingest the pesticides and other things that are just plain deadly.
I am used to a cat or 2 helping me fold the laundry. They like to lie on the warm piles when they first come out of the dryer. And then, of course, they will make a nest in anything black (of which 99% of my clothes are). Since I never had a small dog before it didn’t dawn on me that he would want to assist in the process just like a cat. Charles’ favorite laundry activity seems to be batting the socks around as they got paired. Every chore is a new adventure with this little guy. I definitely am learning that little is different then middle and big. Though Louise does like to play peek a boo, when I toss the sheets out in a whirl to fold them, and Sofie will suck on anything that is soft and nearby.
What chores do you get help with?
This is a Wordless Wednesday Blog Hop. Thanks to BlogPaws for the hop. Head over there and see what they are blogging about.
Charles is a big knee-spooner. He gets in the turn of your knees and hangs on for dear life. It doesn’t matter if Mini Cooper or Nine wants the spot. The knees are his. Sometimes I do find Mini and Charles cuddling at the foot of the bed, so he obviously does move at some point.
We all have to share everything at the Zoo. Mom does not like possessiveness or growling. Most of the time the little guy takes the toys and lies on them. But sometimes, Miss Louise, in all her patience and general niceness, has had enough and takes back what is hers (she was first dog in this current pack). All in a day’s fun.
Have a wonderful Wednesday.
This is a Wordless Wednesday Blog Hop. Thanks to BlogPaws for the hop. Head over there and see what they are blogging about.
First is it is 75 degrees then it is snowing. This is the craziest winter ever. Louise and Charles soak up every sun ray they can get. This must be a black dog thing because blond Sofie is hiding in the shade and it isn’t even hot out yet.
Mom had her long-Janes (thermal underwear) on because it was 18 degrees F (-8 C) out, but Mother Nature has been fooling us with warm days and nights all winter. February was the warmest month ever in the Mid-Atlantic and the weather people say this is the earliest spring in over 100 years. The cherry blossoms are out, and they are predicting the National cherry blossoms (in Washington DC – 50 miles away) will peak around March 14 (usually they peak in April). That is just crazy!
Mom is trying to teach Charles how to sit with us for her famous Picture Moments. He does not listen to any commands and while we sit so beautifully and wait for her (applause and treats for Louise and me), he goes and goes and goes. Mom just keeps picking him up and putting him in between us until she can get a shot of all 3 of us together. Maybe by next Xmas he will get what he is supposed to do.
Forsythia, azalea, daffodils, crocus, cherry blossom, and hellebore. Even the maples are budding. Oh my! Official spring is still 3 weeks away.
What kind of mischief did you get into today? – Sofie Bear (the poser)
When the rain stopped the other day, I finally was able to take the canine trio for a dry walk. I left the front door open in case the cats wanted to catch some of the fleeting sun rays. As we came walking back down the street, I saw Nine and Mini Cooper watching our return. Were they happy to see their dogs returning? Maybe they were happy because they know that in the afternoon after I walk the dogs, everyone eats? But maybe they weren’t happy at all. Maybe they were saying to each other, “Drat! Here come those slobbering idiots again!” Personally, I like to believe the former – they miss their friends when they are gone.
I am glad that my 4 cats are indoors only. I am not sure that I could keep up with 28 wet paws coming in the front door on a rainy day, 12 are quite enough. Happy Wednesday.
This is a Wordless Wednesday Blog Hop. Thanks to BlogPaws for the hop. Head over there and see what they are blogging about.
DogDaz Zoo 