A day at the dog park

[Ninjasquirrel]

poor girl.
In my experience, dogs from abusive situations often have issues that are slow to emerge. What helped us enormously with our most challenging rescue was working with a dog behaviorist at a shelter in our region. Yes, we had to make an appointment, drive, put out some $$ but he gave us great guidance; the dog was and is still worth it. She is alive and has the best life possible for her. At 5 now, she's still learning to be the best dog she can be.

We have had several Border Collies and love the breed. Your girl looks like a BC mix. They are super smart, require (major) consistency, a job to do, lots of exercise and unconditional acceptance. A lot of BC dogs are abandoned/surrendered due to running or being too busy. It's not their fault. Patience is a good strategy.

Dog parks are not good for all dogs. I have had some ok experiences but more NOT ok. It's not the dogs, it's the people. I have had dogs who, when leashed, felt threatened by off-leash dogs, even the super friendly dogs. Some other dog people in parks or public spaces are easy to communicate with, others, not so much.

If you can find a short term trainer situation (with or without other dogs) you and your pup will learn how to work together... and perhaps learn how to handle all those scary other dogs. An understanding Vet is worth a lot.

good luck with your pup. In my experience the dogs are worth it, if we can find how to work with them as unique individuals.

We know how to work together but she is stubborn

 

[aart]

Even with a treat

Sigh. Does she settle after awhile?

 

[Ninjasquirrel]

We know how to work together but she is stubborn

Sorry she was barking at the SO for attention so I had to respond quickly so I could intercede. If hes not giving her the attention she wants she starts biting and barking. I have to seperate her from him and calm her down when shes like that. I think based on this her previous owner was male. She seems to want the attention far more desperately from him

 

[Ninjasquirrel]

Sigh. Does she settle after awhile?

Oh yes. But it takes a few minutes. She doesnt do that at night though. Only during the day. She used to do it at night. I couldnt even get up to get a glass of water without her barking.

 

[Ninjasquirrel]

Sorry she was barking at the SO for attention so I had to respond quickly so I could intercede. If hes not giving her the attention she wants she starts biting and barking. I have to seperate her from him and calm her down when shes like that. I think based on this her previous owner was male. She seems to want the attention far more desperately from him

Just figured out why she was being so aggressive...neighbor was walking the dog. She wanted to go for a walk to see the dog...sigh

 

[aart]

Oh yes. But it takes a few minutes. She doesnt do that at night though. Only during the day. She used to do it at night. I couldnt even get up to get a glass of water without her barking.

Brings to mind another story, present dog had to be crated at first while I was at work. He actually got the crate door end undone, had to padlock it. He made such a fuss when I left and when I came back, I set up a webcam to learn that he only fussed for about 10-15 minutes after I left then started up as soon as the garage door opened, with a bit inbetween....whew, that was a relief. It was very interesting to see what the dogs did all day while I was gone(9-10 hours). He could also pee outside of crate by lifting leg just so...SMH. New dog would fuss and bark and old dog would come over to crate and bark a bit, telling him to STHU. I can't remember how long I left him crated while I was gone, at least a couple months.

 

[BigBlueHen53]

I'm still thinking about her crating anxiety. This is a BC cross. BC like to have their "herd" all together, all the time. My Sheltie is this way too. When the kids go for walks she goes with them up to a point (we live in a forest) then she just loses it, wanders off* and yodels. She just can't handle it. I just can't help but wonder if the issue is separation anxiety more than that she doesn't like the crate. I mean, she associates the crate with being left alone now.. ? This is why you need a professional behaviorist. Such a person could read the dog's signals so much better than any of us, we're just guessing.

Edit: changed from "of".

 

[Ninjasquirrel]

I'm still thinking about her crating anxiety. This is a BC cross. BC like to have their "herd" all together, all the time. My Sheltie is this way too. When the kids go for walks she goes with them up to a point (we live in a forest) then she just loses it, wanders off* and yodels. She just can't handle it. I just can't help but wonder if the issue is separation anxiety more than that she doesn't like the crate. I mean, she associates the crate with being left alone now.. ? This is why you need a professional behaviorist. Such a person could read the dog's signals so much better than any of us, we're just guessing.

Edit: changed from "of".

Its entirely seperation anxiety. I have placed our dirty shirts in there and that helps her sleep at night. She is gradually getting over it. She doesnt need to always be at my side anymore. She goes and sits in my office most of the day. She comes out to watch Rachel Ray with me and spends only about 10 minutes watching the news. Then she goes right back in. If I open the back door for any reason she comes running. Shes gotten better about barking inside the crate. But she does try to get out. Im gonna try sitting with her in the crate with the door shut tomorrow and giving treats

 

[BigBlueHen53]

Its entirely seperation anxiety. I have placed our dirty shirts in there and that helps her sleep at night. She is gradually getting over it. She doesnt need to always be at my side anymore. She goes and sits in my office most of the day. She comes out to watch Rachel Ray with me and spends only about 10 minutes watching the news. Then she goes right back in. If I open the back door for any reason she comes running. Shes gotten better about barking inside the crate. But she does try to get out. Im gonna try sitting with her in the crate with the door shut tomorrow and giving treats

Sounds like a plan, keep us posted.

 

[aart]

Im gonna try sitting with her in the crate with the door shut tomorrow and giving treats

It must be a big crate!
...will be interesting to see if that improves the situation, I've got my doubts.