Some useful information for anyone considering re-homing an ex-puppy farm breeding dog . Please feel free to share :) Puppy Farm Dogs • These dogs have only known cruelty from humans – they will come round more quickly if there is already a dog in the home, which can show them the way. • They are not house-trained and are generally frightened of the outside. Be prepared to go into the garden with them in all weathers – on a lead if necessary. This is likely to take months. • All noises are frightening – a vacuum cleaner, a washing machine, an electric kettle, even keys. Although for some reason, they seem to like watching television, cartoons are the usual favorite. • They will cower when you approach and, (through fear of being kicked or hobbled), will avoid passing you at all costs. If you do approach, and they are backed into a corner, with (in their mind), no escape route, then it is highly likely their bladder will release. The feelings I had the first time an ex-breeding dog released her bladder as I approached her, was without a doubt, the worse feeling I had ever known in my life. To realize my approach instilled such fear and sheer terror into this living creature, that she completely lost control of her bladder, made me so ashamed, I felt sick. • If possible, let them lie on a couch or somewhere off the floor – they feel more vulnerable when close to the ground, especially when you approach them. If that isnt an option – then get yourself on the floor. These dogs are not fear aggressive, their spirit has been broken. • They quickly learn to eat from a bowl, but no matter how hungry or thirsty, will often be too frightened to leave their bed to eat or drink. Sometimes a little hand-feeding from their bowl will help, sometimes they need you to stay in the room while they eat. They will usually eat quickly, eyes darting everywhere, constantly watching the environment, back legs stretched out as far as they can possible go. Should you move slightly or a noise is heard they will run away. • Most have never been taken for a walk and are more at ease with a harness rather than a collar. The majority have never actually had the chance to run, only ever being kept in a shed or small run.. • They do not know how to play and have never seen a toy. If you feel you have got what an ex-breeding dog needs and you are sure that you have both the time and the patience to see the process through, you can give one of these poor souls hope. Help them discover that life doesnt have to start and end in fear. Fear is the only emotion they have known, it is the only thing they have ever owned in life, so in some ways it’s comforting. It’s said that when an ex-breeding dog has been taken from a puppy farm – for those first initial days of freedom he or she would do absolutely anything to get back inside the hell-hole that he or she has come from. It’s all they have ever known, for in life to know much more than fear to help them this is the way to go. There are some rules to follow, and although they seem cold and somewhat harsh, this is the quickest way to help them to relax and come round to their new environment. It’s important you understand why Because of the importance of the ‘no eye contact’ rule – I make no apologies for the amount of times it is mentioned in the next couple of paragraphs. Unfortunately, this doesnt just mean a good heart. The quickest way to help an ex-breeding dog to relax and come round to their new environment is to totally ignore their presence. This may seem cold and harsh, but it will help Don’t make eye contact, if you have to walk past, don’t look down at her. If you already have a dog, pet him or her without looking at your new addition. The look of amazement on the face of an ex-breeder, watching your dog approach and then play with you is priceless. The easiest way to ignore their presence is to understand why you have to. Throughout his/her life, the puppy farm dog is never petted or shown any affection. When humans are around the only sounds these dogs hear is humans shouting or banging metal poles on cages, barking sounds that come from other sheds or barns, and their own whimpering. There will be no barking from the shed or barn where the humans are, because the dogs in this particular barn, at this particular moment are living in terror of being paid attention. Attention brings pain, attention snatches their puppies away from them. Attention brings nothing but misery. You can chat to the dog all you like, but remember they have lived with the sounds of (mainly), aggressive male voices, so by keeping the chatter as a light banter, will help. But remember, no eye contact – eye contact means attention, and attention is scary. As long as you avoid eye contact, the dog will relax slightly, because (they feel), no attention is focused towards them. The first thing you will notice is the dog will very carefully follow you around the house, as soon as you turn round, remember no eye contact, the dog will run away back to his/her bed, and then as soon as your back is turned, he/she will be back following you. Adopting an ex-breeding male or female takes a great deal of patience and understanding, but the rewards are tenfold. You will end up being owned by the most loyal, loving and faithful friend you could ever wish for SPEC
Posted on: Wed, 14 Jan 2015 10:27:08 +0000
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