Little Spotted Dog
We are currently working with a young (6 mo.) German shorthair pup that had essentially no human socialization. Frankly, this dog is a wreck, but there is something about her that is really loveable. She has a sweet disposition in her tail-tucked way. The owner took her on rather than seeing her put down, and we are trying to see what can be done with her. It is a real challenge because the standard things we work on don’t even enter into the equation yet. We have had to step way back and work in small baby steps. Just getting her to come out of the dog house to greet us has been a major victory. We have been using classical operant conditioning and clicker training techniques, along with lots of socialization with us, the kids and the other dogs.
It’s so great that you took on a dog like her. Not many people have the patience to rehabilitate an emotionally abused dog. It’ll take alot of work, but I bet she’ll turn out amazing!
I am the owner of the sweet german short haired puppy. She is, for whatever reason, just irresistible and yet Julie is correct in that she’s a wreck socially. She was never abused whatsoever, just raised in place where they only train the dogs to hunt for their own guides and make no effort to otherwise socialize them whatsoever. I pray you’re optimistic prediction comes true, as I have several children that would love her to death.