I took in another one

[Jamie_Dog_Trainer]

I am so happy to read this thread and see someone who has such a heart for animals. More people like you are needed in the world-- Great Job of giving your children an awesome example of true caring.

So in saying that I hope you take the following as its intended. I feel compelled to warn you about taking dogs in and letting your kids play too closely with the rescues. In my business I often get calls regarding rescued dogs that "unexpectedly" bite children, not to mention adults. It happnes far more often with rescued dogs than dogs that have grown up in the household. While the intentions of the owners are golden, the reality is they do not take into account the unknown history of the dogs. -- I do understand that you have known this dog, since its was a neighbors dog-- still, there are many things about safety to take into consideration.

First of all this dog is obviously under-socialized. Second, its a cocker spaniel. And third it has not had a "normal" upbrining of rules and respect taught by the previous owners. This little dog may seem, and could very well have, a very good temperament. But I don't think one can really assess this until the dog has been with you for a while. This poor dog has had a hard life and I hope that that fact does not rub off on your family in the way of a bite.

The dog is cute and very appealing, but please don't let that keep you from being extremely cautious with him. I wish you the very best luck and again, you are an awesome person to take in such a dog. A very blessed doggie indeed.

 

[Linda in San Diego]

So sad that the dog lived like that, poor thing is only 10 months old and he already has faced such trauma. But Cesar Milan says dogs live in the now and can get past a bad start if given the right structure.

I love the names Sandy Pants and Dusty Bottom! Thank you for giving them a home!

 

[L&Schickens]

I am being extremely careful with this cocker. Sandy, the stray Sheppard mix is much more trustworthy. For some reason being free to roam and not being abused is better then being tied up all the time for creating a better temperament.
The Cocker, Dusty, is a dominate dog. He has attacked Sandy over bread crumbs. Yes, crumbs! Also over a stuffed toy. So I am being VERY careful with this one and if he does not seem to get over being possessive I will re-home him. Loren is ALWAYS supervised with both dogs. Sandy, the mutt, does sleep on his bed, but he is in our room so we know what is going on with her and him. She is THE BEST DOG! I love her. The other one, not so sure about yet.
I have started walking Dusty with a head collar and that has made a huge difference and I do not allow him to jump up on any of us. He has to sit quietly before getting fed, let out of his yard or crate. He is not an easy dog at all, but I am trying and so is he.
Thanks for the well wishes. I hope that he comes around and decided to be a nice dog. I think getting him fixed will help in his attitude a lot.

 

[warcard]

Dogs that have been chained becomed programmed to be possesive. They have a very limited amount of space and often learn that if they act out people/animal/things will leave their space in a hurry, thus reinforcing their possesiveness.

Try teaching him NILIF (Nothing in Life is Free, you can look up the program online), basically it is what you are already doing. He must sit or perform another behavior to get anything, food/toys/love, he does not receive these items for free.

Cockers can be nippy (backyard/puppy-mill breeding bad genes, not contentious breeders) so you will need to watch that. If you don't think he will work I am sure there are purebreed cocker rescue groups online, they will have knowledgable foster families that will help him work through his problems. He is definetely young enough to be re-homed easily.

Thank you for taking him in and providing a better life, even if your home is just a brief stop in his longer journey to a forever home, you have provided a wonderful place for him to refresh.