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| Dogs we have shared our homes and hearts with |
COMMON PUPPY MILL SURVIVOR BEHAVIORS:
TERROR OF HUMAN HANDS:
The only time most mill dogs are removed from their cages, it's a
painful experience. The dog may be grabbed by the first
reachable part of its body; tail, legs, scruff, ears. This takes lots
of patience and non-threatning touches to overcome. You may
have to lie down on the floor face down with your eyes averted to
get the dog to approach you at all. Let him come near you and
sniff. It may take an hour or days for this to happen. You can
sometime begin with holding the dog, petting him gently for
a few seconds, speaking softly, then place him carefully down.
Let him know you are not looking to restrain him. Lengthen the
time for this ritual each day. Never raise your voice, clap your
hands, or allow loud noises in the home during this adjustment
period.
AVERSION TO EYE CONTACT:
Many puppy mill survivors refuse to make any eye contact with
humans. This indicates fearful submission which decreases as
the dog comes to realize he will not be harmed by you.
THE "I'M AFRAID OF MY FOOD" ROUTINE:
Anytime the cage door is opened on a mill dog, fear is the
response because an evil human is behind it. Of course, the
cage door must be opened to insert a bowl of food which may
also be used to entice the dog within reach. It's not unusual to
see the survivor run in the opposite direction when you sit dinner
on the floor. Turn your back and walk away until the dog feels
"safe" enough to eat. Let him eat undisturbed.
HOUSETRAINING:
No mill dog comes housetrained. Most males will mark, as do
females. Belly bands ( a cloth band which wraps around male
dogs covering the ureter) will help prevent marking. Nicely fitted
doggie diapers are available at Fosters and Smiths. Baby
diapers can be used as well, just cut a hole for the tail. Put your
dog on a schedule. Take him outside first thing in the morning,
after lunch, after dinner and whenever else is possible
throughout the day. If you see him lift his leg in the house, get a
shaker can filled with small pebbles to distract him until you get
him outside. Never raise your voice. Never hit the dog. Take him
outside and reinforce by saying, "Potty outside," or something
similar. Use positive reinforcement when the dog does his
business outside... "Good boy, Potty outside, Good Boy." Lots
of petting must follow.
FLIGHT RISK:
All mill dogs are high flight risks. Never take your dog outside a
securely fenced yard until you are thoroughly bonded. Then if
you take your dog outside your fence, make sure his harness is
secure and on tight. If a mill dog escapes, he will run until he
collapses; catching him will be impossible. Prevention is the best
policy.
COPROPHAGY:
Stool-eating is common in puppy mill survivors. Pick up the yard
frequently.
FEAR OF WATER:
Water hoses frighten many mill dogs. The reason for this is
because most millers will not remove the dogs from the cages
before they hose down all the cages.
FEAR BITING:
Fear biting is more common in abuse cases than in puppy mill
survivors, but we do see it occasionally. 90% of all dogs who bite
do so out of fear. Puppy mill survivors, like feral dogs, usually
cower in the presence of humans. Fear biting can frequently be
overcome with proper training and commitment, but it generally
requires a professional animal behaviorist, not to mention a
strong commitment from the adoptive family. Sadly, because of
both the enormity of the canine overpopulation problem and the
abundance of more easily salvageable dogs, most fear biters are
euthanized.
THESE ARE A FEW OF THE MOST COMMON PUPPY MILL
SURVIVOR BEHAVIORS AND SUGGESTIONS FOR WORKING
WITH THEM. WORKING WITH A MILL DOG IS NOT AN EASY
UNDERTAKING. BUT FOR THOSE WHO HAVE WITNESSED
THE MIRACLE OF THESE FRIGHTENED BEINGS GROWING
TO LOVE AND TRUST, TO PLAY WITH TOYS FOR THE FIRST
TIME, TO LEARN TO TAKE SOFT BEDS AND GOOD FOOD
FOR GRANTED, IT IS ONE OF THE MOST JOYFUL AND
REWARDING
EXPERIENCES OF OUR LIVES. THE PUPPY MILL SURVIVOR
WHO VENTURE TO TRUST A HUMAN BEING DESPITE A
HISTORY OF ABUSE AND NEGLECT IS A TRIUMPH OF THE
SPIRIT FROM WHICH WE CAN ALL LEARN.
THIS ARTICLE WAS SUPPLIED BY:
WWW.ILMORERESCUE.ORG
TERROR OF HUMAN HANDS:
The only time most mill dogs are removed from their cages, it's a
painful experience. The dog may be grabbed by the first
reachable part of its body; tail, legs, scruff, ears. This takes lots
of patience and non-threatning touches to overcome. You may
have to lie down on the floor face down with your eyes averted to
get the dog to approach you at all. Let him come near you and
sniff. It may take an hour or days for this to happen. You can
sometime begin with holding the dog, petting him gently for
a few seconds, speaking softly, then place him carefully down.
Let him know you are not looking to restrain him. Lengthen the
time for this ritual each day. Never raise your voice, clap your
hands, or allow loud noises in the home during this adjustment
period.
AVERSION TO EYE CONTACT:
Many puppy mill survivors refuse to make any eye contact with
humans. This indicates fearful submission which decreases as
the dog comes to realize he will not be harmed by you.
THE "I'M AFRAID OF MY FOOD" ROUTINE:
Anytime the cage door is opened on a mill dog, fear is the
response because an evil human is behind it. Of course, the
cage door must be opened to insert a bowl of food which may
also be used to entice the dog within reach. It's not unusual to
see the survivor run in the opposite direction when you sit dinner
on the floor. Turn your back and walk away until the dog feels
"safe" enough to eat. Let him eat undisturbed.
HOUSETRAINING:
No mill dog comes housetrained. Most males will mark, as do
females. Belly bands ( a cloth band which wraps around male
dogs covering the ureter) will help prevent marking. Nicely fitted
doggie diapers are available at Fosters and Smiths. Baby
diapers can be used as well, just cut a hole for the tail. Put your
dog on a schedule. Take him outside first thing in the morning,
after lunch, after dinner and whenever else is possible
throughout the day. If you see him lift his leg in the house, get a
shaker can filled with small pebbles to distract him until you get
him outside. Never raise your voice. Never hit the dog. Take him
outside and reinforce by saying, "Potty outside," or something
similar. Use positive reinforcement when the dog does his
business outside... "Good boy, Potty outside, Good Boy." Lots
of petting must follow.
FLIGHT RISK:
All mill dogs are high flight risks. Never take your dog outside a
securely fenced yard until you are thoroughly bonded. Then if
you take your dog outside your fence, make sure his harness is
secure and on tight. If a mill dog escapes, he will run until he
collapses; catching him will be impossible. Prevention is the best
policy.
COPROPHAGY:
Stool-eating is common in puppy mill survivors. Pick up the yard
frequently.
FEAR OF WATER:
Water hoses frighten many mill dogs. The reason for this is
because most millers will not remove the dogs from the cages
before they hose down all the cages.
FEAR BITING:
Fear biting is more common in abuse cases than in puppy mill
survivors, but we do see it occasionally. 90% of all dogs who bite
do so out of fear. Puppy mill survivors, like feral dogs, usually
cower in the presence of humans. Fear biting can frequently be
overcome with proper training and commitment, but it generally
requires a professional animal behaviorist, not to mention a
strong commitment from the adoptive family. Sadly, because of
both the enormity of the canine overpopulation problem and the
abundance of more easily salvageable dogs, most fear biters are
euthanized.
THESE ARE A FEW OF THE MOST COMMON PUPPY MILL
SURVIVOR BEHAVIORS AND SUGGESTIONS FOR WORKING
WITH THEM. WORKING WITH A MILL DOG IS NOT AN EASY
UNDERTAKING. BUT FOR THOSE WHO HAVE WITNESSED
THE MIRACLE OF THESE FRIGHTENED BEINGS GROWING
TO LOVE AND TRUST, TO PLAY WITH TOYS FOR THE FIRST
TIME, TO LEARN TO TAKE SOFT BEDS AND GOOD FOOD
FOR GRANTED, IT IS ONE OF THE MOST JOYFUL AND
REWARDING
EXPERIENCES OF OUR LIVES. THE PUPPY MILL SURVIVOR
WHO VENTURE TO TRUST A HUMAN BEING DESPITE A
HISTORY OF ABUSE AND NEGLECT IS A TRIUMPH OF THE
SPIRIT FROM WHICH WE CAN ALL LEARN.
THIS ARTICLE WAS SUPPLIED BY:
WWW.ILMORERESCUE.ORG