Dog-Lovers Tested After They Save Zoey, a Pup Rescued From a Disaster Zone, Trainers Provide Support and Feedback Saving Both the Dog and Their Marriage

Advertisement
  • 01
    My husband and I adopted a 45 Ib. 2 year old spayed pit mix. Zoey. She was rescued from the Hurricane Helene floods. I don't think this dog ever had a home. She had puppies when she was found. We got her in October.
  • 02
    This dog has extreme fear and anxiety. She was a country dog now living in the city. She's terrified of trucks, leaf blowers, sport bikes that backfire, etc. I
  • 03
    took her to a dog behaviorist 80 miles away. The vet put her on Prozac and Clonidine. There has been some improvements but she is very difficult to train. My
  • 04
    husband has had it with her. She has broken the fence we had built for her in the yard, as she tries to escape if we leave her there for just a minute. My husband's
  • 05
    complaint is that she does what SHE wants, not what we want. She has little recall skills. She comes when I call her but not for him. And even with me she'll do
  • 06
    that "keep away" game when it's time to go inside. I'm the one that took her to obedience class and spends the most time with her. I'm at my wits end. My husband
  • 07
    just wants her gone. I can't surrender a dog knowing the probable outcome. It's straining our marriage. Sorry I'm venting but I'm in tears. Zoey has no fear
  • 08
    aggression and is very sweet. But she's unlike any dog we've ever had and my husband's patience with her is gone. Is there anything I can do to help Zoey become a better behaved dog?
  • 09
    Cheezburger Image 10500342016
  • 10
    ParanoidNarcissist2 You took on a tough job and sounds like you underestimated it. Rescue dogs, especially ones that have been in traumatic situations have had their survival skills tested to the max and will be more independent.
  • 11
    She will probably never NOT be scared of loud noises, all you can do is minimise her exposure.
  • 12
    Popular Lake249 Think of the dog and what her needs are. You say she comes from the country and staying in the city is h I for her. Is it in her best interest to stay in this
  • 13
    setting or would she be better rehomed to an environment that would bring her more peace? Are you thinking about your needs (to have and rescue a dog) or the dogs needs? It might be best for all to seek out another living situation for Zoey. It is a loving thing to do.
  • 14
    surfaceofthesun1 You need a lot of time with dedicated trainers. These issues take a lot of time to resolve and only if you're dedicated. I'm sure she senses the stress in the home. I do wonder if she would thrive in a different setting, might be worth exploring with the rescue. :(
  • 15
    Tall_Listen22 Op, I adopted a dog from a country rescue and had a similar experience with outside noises. This dog was terrified of any and all noises and was constantly in flight mode due to it. My vet
  • 16
    wasn't willing to prescribe any anxiety medications because he said once you start them you have to keep them (it's been a while, I might not be 100% on that's).
  • 17
    My dog would not go for walks around the block (lived on the outskirts of a city) he would make it 2 houses down, sit and tremble. Me and my boyfriend at the time
  • 18
    actually used this situation to our advantage though, make day trips to parks and go for mile hikes every Saturday and Sunday. We got to walk and do something for us while giving my dog the
  • 19
    much needed exercise and outdoor exposure. I also got stronger because sometimes I would have to carry his a back to the car if he got too spooked (happened a few times over the years).
  • 20
    It got us to "travel" to find the perfect park and we did this for like 6 years or so. Once Co id hit, welp, life took a different turn. My dog, d d last April at 15 (1
  • 21
    adopted him when he was 2), by age 6/7, he would walk around the corner to our local park. We always had our weekend adventures. I wouldn't trade it for the world. My now ex, was
  • 22
    supportive and through the week we would look at places to go, plan, map out and it was fun for us too. I think this is probably one of the most important parts for a couple dealing with a problem,
  • 23
    how can we support each other and taking a not great situation and make it work for all of us. I'm not recommending a second dog by any stretch of the imagination but do you have a friend with a social dog who can join you for walks?
  • 24
    I say this because in the end my dog was not a leader dog, he was a pack dog and he would do more and take social queues from other dogs and that also helped me.
  • 25
    For the husband, I won't bash because I'm not sure what hes thinking or going through, but I'm sure in life there will be bigger issues along the line than a dog who is an escapist- and I hope he doesn't have the same reaction to those in the future.

Tags

Scroll Down For The Next Article