natelam Posted October 15, 2007 Report Share Posted October 15, 2007 Meet "Cali" she's a 1 year old freshly spayed what I believe is a Border Collie with some mottled spots or ticking. Her history according to the rescue who brought them into our spay/neuter day was a shelter turnover by an owner who unsuccessfully tried to strangle her at home and thus brought her to be euthanized. Here she is by the way...at the clinic in full submission =) I'll follow up with a picture from 12 hours later in a second. We have over come a LOT of things together (she was terrified of the leash, very unsure, afraid to approach food or take treats - she's come a long way in 3 days), but there's a few quirks that I'd like to help her get over so she can gain confidence... 1. Afraid of cars. Does not like to be near them, parked, or moving. If get coax her close enough to the car and get in the backseat she'll jump in. But when we're on runs and we get near a parked car on our side of the street, she'll suddenly bolt to the other side. Strange... 2. She will not walk into the garage, leashed or unleashed. When I get home I have to let her out of the car before the garage. She'll run right to the front door and wait for me to get inside and open the front door for her after I park in the garage. Strange. Any ideas? Here's some eye candy of her now and a short video to show how much she's changed in the last 3 days. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ShoresDog Posted October 15, 2007 Report Share Posted October 15, 2007 Cali is lovely! Thanks for helping her. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PSmitty Posted October 15, 2007 Report Share Posted October 15, 2007 She's beautiful! Thanks for rescuing her. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pat W. Posted October 15, 2007 Report Share Posted October 15, 2007 Thank you for helping this poor little girl. With all the things you have mentioned, the fear of leashes, going into the garage or in the car could be, considering her background, associated with abuse of some sort. It will take a long time, if it ever happens for her to get over this. Time and patience will be the best healers for her. However here are a couple of things that can be applied to both fear of the garage and the car 1) start feeding her near them, as close as you can get without stressing her 2) play lots of fun games around them Alot of non-threatening body language from you will help alot, offer treats with no eye contact - look away or down as she approaches, lower yourself to the floor to make yourself less imposing when interacting with her. There are several good books out there for working with timid dogs, also alot of people here with the experience that far outstrips mine. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kaos Posted October 15, 2007 Report Share Posted October 15, 2007 She is gorgeous and I'm not just saying that because her face is the spitting image of my darling Kaos. I'm so glad you can show her what true commitment and kindness are, well done! Sara Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest WoobiesMom Posted October 15, 2007 Report Share Posted October 15, 2007 What a beautiful girl!!! How did you find out the PO unsuccessfully tried to strangle her?? That's terrible! I'm so glad you found her and are working so well with her! There's a ShyK9s group on Yahoo that has alot of people who are in a similar boat and I found the Cautious Canine book to be a big help. There's also a Calming Signals book that can teach you alot about body language dogs use to soothe and reassure each other, that might be helpful also. Good luck to you both, she deserves the best after all she's been through! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
natelam Posted October 15, 2007 Author Report Share Posted October 15, 2007 What a beautiful girl!!! How did you find out the PO unsuccessfully tried to strangle her?? That's terrible! I'm so glad you found her and are working so well with her! There's a ShyK9s group on Yahoo that has alot of people who are in a similar boat and I found the Cautious Canine book to be a big help. There's also a Calming Signals book that can teach you alot about body language dogs use to soothe and reassure each other, that might be helpful also. Good luck to you both, she deserves the best after all she's been through! The AC person who checked her in was specifically told by the owner that they had tried to kill her at home by strangulation in order to save the trip to the pound. Horrible =( Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
OurBoys Posted October 15, 2007 Report Share Posted October 15, 2007 The AC person who checked her in was specifically told by the owner that they had tried to kill her at home by strangulation in order to save the trip to the pound. Horrible =( That is so horrible!! My mind has a problem comprehending people like that. Thank you so much for taking her in. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AKB Posted October 15, 2007 Report Share Posted October 15, 2007 She's lovely- I have a shy dog too- and I agree with the games and treats plan. That, and just be patient with her. Once she trusts you she'll start to come around on her own. It takes time and you don't always see progress in big jumps but it will happen. Once we had our shy guy in the house, it took him almost a week to calmly walk through a doorway. We don't know why, but he was quite frightened of them. It took him another several days to hop down from the couch (although the concept of climbing onto the couch posed no problem). I'm not as experienced as a lot of people here, but I would say don't coddle her, don't let her opt out of too many things because she is scared, but let her take her time. Treats go a long way. She'll do great now that she's in the care of someone who loves her. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sleeping Posted October 15, 2007 Report Share Posted October 15, 2007 beautifull dog, stunning acutally. Good job on the rescue. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
notailabigail Posted October 15, 2007 Report Share Posted October 15, 2007 What a beautiful girl! I love her freckles. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Aquarius89 Posted October 15, 2007 Report Share Posted October 15, 2007 She's beautiful! Love that second shot. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hoku's mum Posted October 16, 2007 Report Share Posted October 16, 2007 What a beautiful girl, big-big good on you for rescuing her! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kayleegator Posted October 16, 2007 Report Share Posted October 16, 2007 It just makes my heart sink to think that someone would try to STRANGLE that beautiful, intelligent girl! I'm SOOO glad you've got the heart to raise her. I'll enjoy hearing about her progress! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
IronHorse Posted October 16, 2007 Report Share Posted October 16, 2007 Good looking girl. I can't even get my brain around the idea of trying to strangle a dog to death and then to be so heartless as to admit it like it was no big deal,those kind of people make me buy more guns. Good for you for being there to collect in this little darlin. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
shanni and kingsley Posted October 27, 2007 Report Share Posted October 27, 2007 she is beautiful.. i love her eyes! thanks for rescuing her!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ClickMeBC Posted October 27, 2007 Report Share Posted October 27, 2007 She is, indeed, quite stunning! She has beautiful eyes. What a horrific story - I can't bear to imagine it. Thank you, thank you, thank you for taking her in and giving her a wonderful home. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Shannon RN Posted October 27, 2007 Report Share Posted October 27, 2007 What a sweet face! Congrats on your new addition! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ShoresDog Posted October 27, 2007 Report Share Posted October 27, 2007 How is Cali doing after a couple of weeks with you? It is so nice that she ended up with you. I imagine the MSU vet school has all kinds of resources for behavior as well as health issues. I will enjoy following her comeback story especially because I was born in East Lansing! BTW, I looked at your photography website in your signature -- you've posted some AWESOME photographs! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tip Posted October 27, 2007 Report Share Posted October 27, 2007 The AC person who checked her in was specifically told by the owner that they had tried to kill her at home by strangulation in order to save the trip to the pound. Horrible =( OMG! they should've called the cops on them!! reading this brought an instant tear to my eyes- i cant believe people.... thank god she's safe now! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
shatchp Posted October 27, 2007 Report Share Posted October 27, 2007 Seriously....how can you strangle a dog? What the h is wrong with people? Cali is so beautiful...good work with her. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
natelam Posted October 27, 2007 Author Report Share Posted October 27, 2007 How is Cali doing after a couple of weeks with you? It is so nice that she ended up with you. I imagine the MSU vet school has all kinds of resources for behavior as well as health issues. I will enjoy following her comeback story especially because I was born in East Lansing! BTW, I looked at your photography website in your signature -- you've posted some AWESOME photographs! Cali is doing GREAT. We ran a 5k together this morning and everytime she looked back at me she would remind me that she's in much better shape than I =) Thanks for the comments! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
shanni and kingsley Posted October 27, 2007 Report Share Posted October 27, 2007 We ran a 5k together this morning and everytime she looked back at me she would remind me that she's in much better shape than I =) i can relate to that... muarhahrharhhrhrar.. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest SweetJordan Posted October 28, 2007 Report Share Posted October 28, 2007 People are sick. She's beautiful. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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