Rescued beagles experience grass & sunlight for the 1st time

[Oriah]

Hi Herding Cats, and bless your heart for taking in this little guy... I know how rewarding it is to see them emerge from their shell.

I've been reading the thread and see that you are thinking about introducing him to a walk outside. Be careful (I know you will be!) and make sure he is completely secured by lead and harness, because beagles- even very frightened ones- tend to bolt. And they are FAST!

I also had a thought for you, that has so far helped every timid dog we've ever had.

Play hide and seek. Just you and him (put the other critters up for 15 minutes or so.)
Get down on the ground in front of him, tell him to count to ten, and then turn and crawl away as fast as you can, and hide behind a doorway or somewhere obvious where you can still see him. Then start playing peekaboo, by popping your head around the door, and then hiding again. Be patient- he will likely get up and find you.
When he does- laugh, give him a quick scratch, and crawl into another room. He may run back to where he started from (safe place) but no matter- do it all over again. He should get the hang of the game in no time.

It's been a really useful tool for us.

Good luck with your sweet boy. It sounds like he's found a home.

 

[Linda7NJ]

Linda, I thought that feeding him would be a good idea, like you did for your pup...but T/S refused all bits from my hand, and would not approach the dinner bowl if I was close. So, instead of taking the food away and trying later, I just wussed and gave him his bowl and moved a bit away.

He has also refused all treats from my hand, and actually had refused those in his bowl, too. I don't think he knows what they are. I know he doesn't know what a bone is...I gave Gracie and him a marrow bone, but even watching Gracie, he didn't eat his.

So...there are a lot of little lessons we can work on over time...but I don't want to force anything right now.

BTW, he's gone all day without herbs, and even was so deeply asleep he was snoring. LOL. I have removed the enclosure altogether, and he now has free roam of the house. I am sure he will go exploring once I go to bed, but he's remained on "his" hearth...his back is protected, and he can see most everything from his spot, so he's feeling safe and happy there. I am thrilled he's chosen to remain in the same room as me, and still doesn't seem to be at all coincerned about the cats.

Best-
Herding Cats

Awwwww. So sad he doesn't know what treats are, I'll bet that's the next thing he learns . It's terrific he's free in the house now. What worked here was after the feedings, I ignored him...didn't take long till he started seeking me out.


With my Doberman he never learned what toys were for, never learned how to enjoy a squeeky toy, ball or stuffed animal, not even a kong stuffed with treats.. He did very quickly learn to enjoy frozen raw marrow bones from the butcher. I would get them cut down to a decent size and throw em in the freezer. They're loaded with protein and excellent for the teeth & gums.

 

[raeann]

Hi HCats......you probably already know this, and Oriah referred to it, but beagles do better with a harness rather than a collar when they are on leash. Many/most of them get this choking cough thing when they pull and it is scary to them and to the person holding them. He will probably do fine on the leash just staying in a small area and smelling the scents of the yard for a bit, beagles are outdoor dogs by nature and I am sure before long, he will be sitting at the door begging you to take him for a walk. AND....when he does get comfortable.....Oriah is right....beagles LOVE to bolt anytime they get a chance. Mine is 11 years old and we STILL put the harness on before the door is even unlocked!

 

[belimom]

This is my favorite thread on WS!!!!! Bless all animals and all animal lovers. Ms. HC, you are a very special person.

Same here... My 9-yr-old DS wants to be an animal rescuer and loves all creatures, reads about them, etc. He's following this thread with me. So thank you, HC, for painstakingly relaying every detail...! :seeya:

 

[Oriah]

Hi HCats......you probably already know this, and Oriah referred to it, but beagles do better with a harness rather than a collar when they are on leash. Many/most of them get this choking cough thing when they pull and it is scary to them and to the person holding them. He will probably do fine on the leash just staying in a small area and smelling the scents of the yard for a bit, beagles are outdoor dogs by nature and I am sure before long, he will be sitting at the door begging you to take him for a walk. AND....when he does get comfortable.....Oriah is right....beagles LOVE to bolt anytime they get a chance. Mine is 11 years old and we STILL put the harness on before the door is even unlocked!

Raeann is absolutely right.
We call it the desire to 'go beagling' around here.

(Oh- they also tend to be kind of nocturnal, HCats!)

 

[Herding Cats]

We have a harness that fits, and I absolutely will have him in it, even for the backyard. He needs to learn how to move in it, and he also needs to learn that when we go outside, it is in the harness. He did that backwards sneeze thing, but thankfully I had done a lot of reading and realized what it was...no panic.

As for treats, I have those freezedried chicken breast bits, that all my animals believe is crack. Hopefully, he will think that, as well. I may put one in his mouth, and see how that goes.

I *do* use the frozen marrow bones. I went to the butcher shop yesterday, and got a few femurs for Gracie, and got one cut up small enough for him, too. He's not at all sure what to do with them, although he is interested. Just not sure how to chew and/or eat them. But he'll figure it out; Gracie loves "role modeling" that for him...so he'll catch on fairly quick. I hope.

Oriah, the peekaboo game sounds good. I will definitely try it today and see how he responds. I'm not sure he will...he doesn't seem to have a play drive (or it's buried), and it may take quite a few attempts for him to learn how to do it...or, rather, want to do it.

As for the night, it went fine. Nothing unexpected knocked over, and I heard a bit of jingling while I was going to sleep - jingling because of his collar and tag. LOL, that's such a strange noise wen you're half-asleep and not used to it. I discovered a pee spot, and will use the rags I cleaned with to help him start to understand that outside is where they pee...

Other than that, it's a quiet morning here at the Animal House. LOL...its very cold outside (at 8 am, it was still only 36*), so I need it to warm up before I go outside. LOL...

He did make it the whole day without herbs, and I didn't give him any overnight; he's stopped shaking continuously, and even slept sprawled out and snoring yesterday, so he's getting used to being here and being 'free'. He is a loud water drinker (LOL), and is a loud chewer, too, and isn't showing any signs of resource guarding (which is both good and bad...), so he's doing as well as expected for now.

There's the overnight details...nothing unexpected, and that is a good thing at this point.

GO, Little Sweetheart, GO!

And as always, thanks so much for following this thread, and giving us suggestions. He's made nice progress since Saturday, and I can see he wants to do more...he's just not sure what or how to do it. And for all the Darling Kids following this thread, if you have any questions, I'll be happy to try to answer them...just ask your parent to post up, all right?

Best-
Herding Cats

 

[Herding Cats]

Oh, bless his little heart.

He is going to have a very hard time adjusting to a yard...I harness/leashed him, and took him out front. Sat there with him for easily 10 minutes, and he shook and would only put one front paw down at a time. Shook like a leaf.

We sat there in the sun for a while, feeling the wind, watching the (very quiet) street, listening to the song of the world...and he didn't move except to change which paw was on the ground.

So, I picked him up, and went out back, where Gracie decided to be a football player with me. LOL...Thankfully, I had him on the ground before my very own Refrigerator Perry tried to take me out...LOL. She and I rough-housed for a few minutes, and then I just sort of hung out, watching TS. He never moved there, either. Sitting on the concrete porch out back, he just observed me and Gracie gallavanting around. Although out back, he put both paws on the ground. So that's all right.

He also refused to take a freezedried treat from me, and spit it out when I placed it in his mouth. I'm thinking that placing things in his mouth is something that happened a lot in the lab, so I won't do that again. He wasn't mean about it, but the look on his face was resigned and reproachful...like "you too?"

He did sneak a lick in, on Gracie and then on me...which I see as good. In the dog world, licking is a sign of greeting, so maybe he was greeting us. Or maybe he was asking to be taken back inside.

I took him back inside, and he is laying down on his hearth right now. The good part of all this was, even though he was shaking terribly, he never went to the pant...which I take as a good thing. He was able to tolerate it, even though it was only a few short minutes outside...he must've thought it was eternity.

Well, over time, and with a lot of desensitizing work, he should be all right. Gracie has no problem sharing her space, but she does want to play and roll around with TS outside, and since he's sooo terrified, I don't want that right now. But that will come, too...they are both sharing the living room relatively well, and Gracie does have "inside manners" for the most part, so I think it will be fine in the long run.

Bless hgis heart. This is enough for the day, I think. I'll just handle the peeing and pooping inside, for the time being. He needs to get comfy outside before he will go out there, so we will do these short trips and see what comes of it.

He's already made good progress...and I know he's capable of more. Lots more. Time and space and lovies...and learning that treats are good things. I am not sure how to teach him that, but...well...I will figure it out.

Best-
Herding Cats

 

[belimom]

Oh, bless his little heart.

He is going to have a very hard time adjusting to a yard...I harness/leashed him, and took him out front. Sat there with him for easily 10 minutes, and he shook and would only put one front paw down at a time. Shook like a leaf.

We sat there in the sun for a while, feeling the wind, watching the (very quiet) street, listening to the song of the world...and he didn't move except to change which paw was on the ground.

So, I picked him up, and went out back, where Gracie decided to be a football player with me. LOL...Thankfully, I had him on the ground before my very own Refrigerator Perry tried to take me out...LOL. She and I rough-housed for a few minutes, and then I just sort of hung out, watching TS. He never moved there, either. Sitting on the concrete porch out back, he just observed me and Gracie gallavanting around. Although out back, he put both paws on the ground. So that's all right.

He also refused to take a freezedried treat from me, and spit it out when I placed it in his mouth. I'm thinking that placing things in his mouth is something that happened a lot in the lab, so I won't do that again. He wasn't mean about it, but the look on his face was resigned and reproachful...like "you too?"

He did sneak a lick in, on Gracie and then on me...which I see as good. In the dog world, licking is a sign of greeting, so maybe he was greeting us. Or maybe he was asking to be taken back inside.

I took him back inside, and he is laying down on his hearth right now. The good part of all this was, even though he was shaking terribly, he never went to the pant...which I take as a good thing. He was able to tolerate it, even though it was only a few short minutes outside...he must've thought it was eternity.

Well, over time, and with a lot of desensitizing work, he should be all right. Gracie has no problem sharing her space, but she does want to play and roll around with TS outside, and since he's sooo terrified, I don't want that right now. But that will come, too...they are both sharing the living room relatively well, and Gracie does have "inside manners" for the most part, so I think it will be fine in the long run.

Bless hgis heart. This is enough for the day, I think. I'll just handle the peeing and pooping inside, for the time being. He needs to get comfy outside before he will go out there, so we will do these short trips and see what comes of it.

He's already made good progress...and I know he's capable of more. Lots more. Time and space and lovies...and learning that treats are good things. I am not sure how to teach him that, but...well...I will figure it out.

Best-
Herding Cats

bbm

HC, I agree. Since it was his first time out, he probably didn't know he was going to get to go back in to his hearth, kwim? He was probably thinking - "Where's my safe spot going to be out here? What dangers lurk HERE?"

Now that he went back in - and the more you go out/come in - I think he'll realize that "home" is inside and it's permanent, and that going outside is merely for fun/exploration and not another "move" - like the several moves he's had since being rescued.

You have the patience of Job. Bless you, HC...

 

[Rhyme & Reason]

Oh man, I really need to make sure I have a box of kleenex when I check in here. I feel so bad for him.

 

[Opie]

HC, we cheered you through nursing school and now we are cheering you in the socialization of T/S. Keep on keeping on and telling us about it, please.

 

[Linda7NJ]

Awwwwwwwwww. I think you should keep taking him out back a few times daily for a few minutes. He needs to learn that the backyard is safe & now belongs to him too. ( I know you claim to be just "fostering" him...:floorlaugh: I know how that will end I strongly urge you to place his poop out there where you'd eventually like him to go.

Just the fact he allowed you to place that treat in his mouth is great! That dog probably thinks he's died and went to heaven!

 

[Herding Cats]

I will be taking him out every day, and sometimes, a few times a day. He will, hopefully, become more relaxed and without total fear, and know that inside, where the hearth is, is a place he will come back to...and once he understands that, hopefully, he will learn outside is not necessarily a scary place.

I did put some treats on top of his food tonight, and will continue to do that...maybe if he realizes he eats them, and knows they taste good, and that they're food and not medication, he will also learn how to take them as a reinforcement.

It makes me so sad to know he doesn't know what treats are, what bones are, that outside in a structured environment is good and safe...just breaks my heart.

He is sleeping well, though, and a lot. I'm sure a lot of it is stress release from the amazing journey he's been on, and the good news is he's not needing either herbs or the 'sleeping pills' the rescue sent over with the abx.

Speaking of which, his penis no longer has a discharge, and he is apparently peeing just fine. One bullet dodged there, I think.

I have to figure out what to do about the holidays. I am going up to Oregon for Christmas, but I don't want to move him for the week or so I'm gone. So it will be a pet-sitter here, and I don't know who I can trust for that. I'll talk to the rescue people and see what they think...Gracie can go to bestie's, the cats will be fine with her looking in on them a few times, but TS needs more care than that. So...I will call the rescue and see what they suggest.

Sigh. I feel sooooo bad for this little romeo...I sometimes wonder if I can make the difference for him. I'm sure time and routines and space will work wonders, but still...he's so - not dog like - or even really animal like. If that makes sense. He's just so sad and terrified...I want a magic wand, you know?

Best-
Herding Cats

 

[belimom]

So WHY is this allowed? This testing...?!? So very sad. We have for years bought products that are 'cruelty free' or does not animal testing, but I'm sure we're not totally working around that (it's so pervasive in industries). I just wish I could do more.

 

[belimom]

(snip)

Sigh. I feel sooooo bad for this little romeo...I sometimes wonder if I can make the difference for him. I'm sure time and routines and space will work wonders, but still...he's so - not dog like - or even really animal like. If that makes sense. He's just so sad and terrified...I want a magic wand, you know?

Best-
Herding Cats

HC... I wanted to add that I believe you are already making a difference for him. You are showing him that he is important and valuable and loved --- and a *dog*. I am sure that with time, bit by bit it will sink in with him and he'll start to understand more. Whatever is inside of him that is able to be unlocked - can be unlocked by you. I firmly believe that.

I wish I lived closer - I'd housesit/dogsit for you over Christmas. But I'm thousands of miles away - plus I don't think my youngest child - my 4-yr-old DD - is what any creature in his situation needs right now anyway - LOL!

((((hugs))))

 

[Herding Cats]

So WHY is this allowed? This testing...?!? So very sad. We have for years bought products that are 'cruelty free' or does not animal testing, but I'm sure we're not totally working around that (it's so pervasive in industries). I just wish I could do more.

I am on the fence on this stuff. Yes, there are reasons for lab research/medical animals. But I think that there are a lot of things that are tested which don't need to be..but it's more financially feasible and easier to do it on animals than go through the protocols for humans. And, honestly, safer.

I am **not** defending all the testing; not in the least. But I see the grey of things, and can understand it.

I'm not 'cruelty free' here in my house. But I am trying to find alternatives for some of the things I rely on. I think maybe, that's all we can do...find acceptable alternatives where we can, you know? I am not sure people realize how many household products are tested on animals - cleaners, for example. So I use white vinegar, which is just as good, and far less expensive, and frankly, safer than things like window, oven, and floor cleaners.

And thanks for the offer...I am sure if you could, you would come sit for us. But I'll contact the rescue and see who/what they recommend/have in place. I'm sure something can be worked out, somehow. I have faith!

Best-
Herding Cats

 

[Dewey2Me1MoThyme]

I cried -- especially when I saw those eyes looking at the grass and wondering what it was. No animal should NOT know what grass and freedom feels like.

Bless the rescuers!

Mel

Our female schnauzer, Apple, was a puppy mill breeder before she was rescued. She had been kept in what resembles a rabbit crate for the first four plus years of her life, only removed forcefully for breeding purposes before being thrown back in her confinement once "her job was done".

Even after initial rehabilitation by the schnauzer rescue co-op, she was terrified of so many common things, such as steps, garden hoses, long handled tools, car rides, and yes, even being cuddled. Even now, after loving on her for over 3 years, she is still timid and goes stiff when we pick her up. She still thinks any attention is going to result in some harm to her.

She, along with our two males all have a history of some kind, none of them pleasant. Max and Rustee have pretty much fully rehabilitated to be "normal" dogs, Apple I'm afraid will never let her guard completly down, and it's heart breaking to even think of the life she and her pups had led. That's not to say they aren't spoiled rotten now though.

 

[Oriah]

Hi Herding Cats,

What is your travel situation like to Oregon for the holidays (fly? drive? bus? train? etc) and what is the environment like once you are there? Is it welcoming of pets?
The reason why I ask is because we have found that sometimes traumatized pups have already bonded to a foster/rescue owner- often before the owner even realizes it- and fare much better with the stress of travel while accompanying their owner, than the stress of being left behind.

Just a thought, and I don't know if it is possible for you- but it has worked for us. (Oh and the rescue org will probably disagree with this advice, so take it or leave it lol!)

 

[Herding Cats]

No, Oriah, unfortunately, the situation isn't welcoming to pets. I will be staying at my brother's house, and my dear SIL is allergic to dogs...even though she has three; two are outside only, and the chihuahua is close to hairless. Still, she has to clean well every day, and it's very hard on her. So, no...the place I'm staying is out.

And he would not fare well at bestie's, either. Gracie and bestie's dog (a black russian terrier) are totally in love with each other, and both big, big dogs. Putting TS in that situation would not be good at all...not to mention her little brothers would want to play with him, and he's just not up for that.

I will get it figured out today. I'm really hoping that someone can come stay/visit here, rather than me take him somewhere, because I think he'd be happier here on his hearth than elsewhere...

We'll see what the day brings...

He's tucked up on the hearth right now, relaxing and waiting for breakfast. He pooped a lot last night, so he's got to be feeling better this morning. And once it warms up, we'll be taking a trip outside and seeing the world. I'm sure he's not looking forward to that! LOL.

Best-
Herding Cats

 

[belimom]

No, Oriah, unfortunately, the situation isn't welcoming to pets. I will be staying at my brother's house, and my dear SIL is allergic to dogs...even though she has three; two are outside only, and the chihuahua is close to hairless. Still, she has to clean well every day, and it's very hard on her. So, no...the place I'm staying is out.

And he would not fare well at bestie's, either. Gracie and bestie's dog (a black russian terrier) are totally in love with each other, and both big, big dogs. Putting TS in that situation would not be good at all...not to mention her little brothers would want to play with him, and he's just not up for that.

I will get it figured out today. I'm really hoping that someone can come stay/visit here, rather than me take him somewhere, because I think he'd be happier here on his hearth than elsewhere...

We'll see what the day brings...

He's tucked up on the hearth right now, relaxing and waiting for breakfast. He pooped a lot last night, so he's got to be feeling better this morning. And once it warms up, we'll be taking a trip outside and seeing the world. I'm sure he's not looking forward to that! LOL.

Best-
Herding Cats

bbm

I was reading about the poop when I read this and briefly wondered... HUH?!?

:floorlaugh:

 

[Herding Cats]

Nope, the poop was warm already. LOL. It was 38* at 8 am...so we're sorta waiting until it gets above 50* to go on out. At this rate, however, that will happen about 2 pm. LOL.

Best-
Herding Cats