BlueWolf Posted October 20, 2013 Report Share Posted October 20, 2013 So there is this dog in the shelter, Spikey, who has built op quite a reputation of biting people. He's not easy to deal with and nearly impossible to walk with a leash (actually, it's possible but he'll bit you when you take it off). So most times people tend to give attention to all the other much more lovingly dogs and skip Spikey because he just sits with his back towards people and growls when you get too close to him. Well, I decided to not ignore him. Every day I sat next to his kennel, talking to him and giving him some treats. He took them very very slowly and walked back to his safe spot in the corner very slowly again. I started doing that a couple of weeks ago and have noticed that he became a bit more exited every time I walked past. Now I don't need treats to lure him towards me, he just walks towards the bars and just sits there. He sniffed my fingers and allowed me to touch him. Although he was uncomfortable at first and walked away, he kept coming back every time. So after a few days he started getting used to it and allowed me to pet him much more. I started trusting him more as well so dared to put my hands further through the bars. This was last Friday. I had to take these photos as no one was believing me I have actually entered his kennel as well. He turned around and sat with his back towards me again. But I just sat in a corner, doing nothing. Eventually he did approach me again but was still nervous enough that I couldn't touch him. But I won't give up, I'll just keep trying Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mydiamond Posted October 20, 2013 Report Share Posted October 20, 2013 Jos I love you Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mia-Blue Posted October 20, 2013 Report Share Posted October 20, 2013 Good on you and you can clearly see hes enjoying the affection. It just shows how a little time and persistence can pay off x Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Stormy Posted October 20, 2013 Report Share Posted October 20, 2013 Awwww that's really nice Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Removed #5 Posted October 20, 2013 Report Share Posted October 20, 2013 The rewards for the challenges always seem so much greater - good job Jos!!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jase Posted October 20, 2013 Report Share Posted October 20, 2013 Great stuff! Keep up the good work. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sarah Posted October 20, 2013 Report Share Posted October 20, 2013 Jos that's fantastic! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Leyka&Diva Posted October 20, 2013 Report Share Posted October 20, 2013 great stuff, keep it up Jos. He looks lovely bless him xx Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Val (Zebedee) Posted October 20, 2013 Report Share Posted October 20, 2013 That is such a great thing you are doing Jos, he's obviously never known affection from humans so finds it hard to trust them. Keep up the fantastic work with this poor lad Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BingBlaze n Skyla Posted October 20, 2013 Report Share Posted October 20, 2013 That's awesome Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Emma Posted October 20, 2013 Report Share Posted October 20, 2013 Well done Jos, glad you took the time to gain this cute little fella's trust. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Asslinn Posted October 20, 2013 Report Share Posted October 20, 2013 That is so amazing and spikey seems to be relishing the attention. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
valkyries Posted October 20, 2013 Report Share Posted October 20, 2013 oh bless him Weldon Jos xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
winterchillz Posted October 20, 2013 Report Share Posted October 20, 2013 Awe, he finally found someone who will show him affection and wont hurt him. Well done, Jos, you brought a smile to my face! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mazz Posted October 20, 2013 Report Share Posted October 20, 2013 He looks like a sweet boy in the photos. Jos, you are indeed working a miracle. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BlueWolf Posted October 20, 2013 Author Report Share Posted October 20, 2013 Thanks all Eventually he'll go to Dierenthuis (Animals home), a non-profit organisation that provides a permanent home for old, sick and disadvantaged shelter animals. Despite that it seems to be able to build a bond with him he's still not a good family dog and I don't see that changing any time soon. You cannot make him do anything, not only will he get angry, he has the potency to bite. You cannot walk him for example. In Dierenthuis there's large pack of dogs he can join and he can choose whether or not he wants any interactions with the people. Although it has happened before that very scared and non-socialised dogs in Dierenthuis suddenly made a 180 degree change and started trusting people. I've been there many times before and I believe this is indeed the best option for him and I think he'll love it. There's a bright future ahead for him. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
goingsolo Posted October 20, 2013 Report Share Posted October 20, 2013 What has this poor boy been through? Well done Jos, I'm sure Spikey will be happier now that he is starting to interact with someone. Xx, Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mike101 Posted October 20, 2013 Report Share Posted October 20, 2013 Just shows what a little bit of time, love and affection, and the patience to have a go, can do ... Amazing job, Well done Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kchesney8 Posted October 20, 2013 Report Share Posted October 20, 2013 Not going to lie I just teared up. Just thinking of the fact that everyone just walks by this dog and never gives him a chance. The emptiness he must feel to have never known love of a human. Really makes you hug your dog a little closer. Good Job! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Removed #5 Posted October 21, 2013 Report Share Posted October 21, 2013 Since I enjoy the challenge, ship him my way Jos. Something tells me that he could become a good one man dog for someone - but it would also take a lot of time and care. He's seems too willing to accept companionship to just leave him for the Animals Home ... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mydiamond Posted October 21, 2013 Report Share Posted October 21, 2013 aww I still kinda feel sad he didn't end up in a family's home... but at least he has a place where he will be accepted and loved Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Andy Posted October 21, 2013 Report Share Posted October 21, 2013 Well done Jos. We had to do the same thing with Echo It took us 6 weeks of going to the kennels and sitting in her Kennel letting her come to us. Getting her trust. We've had her 4 years now and she's our loyal girly. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Removed #5 Posted October 21, 2013 Report Share Posted October 21, 2013 Well done Jos. We had to do the same thing with Echo It took us 6 weeks of going to the kennels and sitting in her Kennel letting her come to us. Getting her trust. We've had her 4 years now and she's our loyal girly. Sasha with her food problems was a minor irritation (in retrospect ) I've picked up a couple of pups that were more willing to bite and be aggressive and the rewards are definitely worth the effort when they finally seem to realize that they're home and safe! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BlueWolf Posted October 21, 2013 Author Report Share Posted October 21, 2013 aww I still kinda feel sad he didn't end up in a family's home... but at least he has a place where he will be accepted and loved He's been here for a couple of months now and no one has showed interest in him. He's an old man and it's sad to see him here, being scared of people. You can roll the dice and keep waiting for a good future owner, but at some point you'll have to make a decision as it's just sad seeing a dog being at the shelter for so long. He'll be so much happier over there. He trusts me when there is a fence between us, but when there isn't he's really scared and impossible to approach. I tried sitting inside his kennel again today, he simply ran inside and stayed there. After 10 minutes of trying to lure him to me and failing I moved outside his kennel again. He immediately ran towards the fence and got all cuddly again Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Austinville Posted October 21, 2013 Report Share Posted October 21, 2013 Bless your heart Jos! Thank you for taking the time and more thanks for sharing. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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