Should I keep rescued DS?

[bayness]

I am new to this forum, new to this breed but not to owning dogs. I understand that owning a DS is hard work, which I am definitely willing to put in but I am unsure as to if I would be an ideal owner for a DS. A friend of a friend rescued this DS, a young female who we have named Bianca. She looks to be a little under a year old. She was found at a junk yard, tied up and half starved. She is healthy and her spirit was not broken.. she seems like a very happy girl regardless of what she has been through. She does feel the need to follow me around everywhere and I feel safe having her around. I have only had her a couple of days, I took her from the friend who could not keep another dog at her place. Now, here are the issues or concerns I have:

Bianca is very affectionate.. a little too much maybe? I have a 4 year old daughter whom she adores, but I am worried about her seeing my child as a play toy. She hasn't nipped her or tried to herd her but she does like to put her face in my child's and lick. Yes, I know typical pup behavior but it still worries me. I correct her by giving her a firm "NO!" But will she eventually understand that a child is more "delicate?"

She is the same way with the two other dogs I own, both around 20lbs while she is around 50+. She doesn't take their cues (growling, stiff stance) and back off when they don't want to play. She continues to get in their faces and lick away. The other dogs don't seem to like her playfulness at all. Again, I know it is too early to tell if she will adjust to their style or if they can adjust to her rambunctiousness.

I have been reading these threads and I see that this is the perfect working dog, which I know nothing of. Am I too inexperienced to handle this type of dog? She seems pretty mellow, but who knows what other socialization issues she may have at this point... should I let an experienced rescuer take her or stick it out and "see what happens?" I am only concerned for my daughter's and other dog's safety even if I have not seen any aggression from her I would like to prevent rather than regret later. I was planning on taking her to obedience classes, but would that be enough or does she need more rigorous training/activity?

Any input would help... maybe some information on what I can expect for the next years if I do decide to keep her.

Thanks in advance, and sorry for the looooong post.

[Dutchringgirl]

I have a 8.5 month old who is super affectionate too. I have had Sadie since 4 months old. My kids are 6 &7 and if you go to her level the nose goes right in your face for a wash. If she gets too annoying I just tell her to stop and she does. The dog dosnt have to molest you if you dont want them to. You can also keep her on a leash around the kids to help with the respect issue. You can also teach them a long down so they dont keep getting under foot, Thalie and Sadie have a spot in the middle of the kitchen to down so they can be with us but be out of the way. Thalie taught Sadie alot about respecting the growl, the dogs will teach her the boundaries and you can help too. I would defiantly do obedience classes, It can never hurt, then see how she does and try some other things when she seems up to them. They are fast learners so you can have her learn your ways and see how she does.

[leih merigian]

Hi Vanessa,

Thanks so much for rescuing this young dog!

Keep reading the posts on this forum to get more of an idea of their needs for mental stimulation and physical activity. You are the only one who can decide if you are up to that kind of challenge. And, each individual dog is different.

As far as the kids and other pets are concerned, I would immediatly stop allowing your young DS to approach them at will. This young dog needs more strict supervision than that. Regardless of the dog's degree of affection and perhaps lack of any negative intent at all, they are strong and enthusiastic, and can cause inadvertent harm. They need to be taught what is appropriate and that takes time and direct supervision. So, as advised by another poster, keep this girl on lead when inside (and outside, too, if other dogs and kids are around). Teach her "leave it," "gentle," and to be able to hang out with the family calmly without being pushy and interactive. That takes time! (You could teach her to go to and lie on a rug, for example.)

You said she was found in a junk yard (something like that...); I'd guess she hasn't been taught much in the way of house manners, etc. Any young dog of this age, with that background, would need a lot of attention and training at this time. Classes are good, but please don't think you can attend one 8 week class and you're done. Everything you allow, behavior-wise, is trained, so her whole life with you is an ongoing training situation and she'll be learning from everything that happens. You need to structure her life so that she learns what is acceptable, and how you want her to behave.

So, are you up to this level of supervision and teaching? If yes, then I'd guess you'll be a fine owner for this girl. If not, you could be asking for trouble over time.

[Christie M]

Ditto what everyone else said, but to add.....

Honestly, right now she seems like a very sweet, very interactive puppy. What a great find.

One of the worst things that people do is create a negative correlation in a dog's mind. If you correct her every time she greets people or dogs, she is going to be very afraid of them - and this could create an aggression problem where there wouldn't otherwise be one. Let the kids give her cookies for appropriate behaviors (sit...) and then have that be their only greeting right now. I would rather not have her interact at all than have you accidentally creating a negative situation for her (By pushing her away and saying "NO" or physically punishing her).

For me, my rule with other dogs is "If there's no blood, it OK." Typically adults dogs will correct a puppy. The intensity of the correction will increase if the pup seems too socially ignorant to understand. Frankly I don't care if the ignorant pup ends up running away screaming - they are just mellow dramatic. I just treat it like "Well that was dumb of you to push it."

If the pup really is more than the adult can handle, I will step in and remove the pup from the situation or give a leash correction to back up what the adult is trying to say - as if we are all saying to chill. But just like a dog correcting another, once you give that correction the situation is over. Correct again if you have too, but don't sit there and over analyse or over moderate.

As Leih said, a good trainer will go a long way for you. A crate, a leash and a few specifics will make a WORLD of difference. If the dog is confident and approaching in a social way, I wouldn't be too worried about the "chance" that aggression will occur. Just set her up for success and give her the skill sets to be successful.

Again to reiterate Leih - it isn't not so much a question of "Is this dog ok?" Its more, "Do I want to put in the time and energy into making sure she stays a good dog."

[Dutchringgirl]

For me, my rule with other dogs is "If there's no blood, it OK." Typically adults dogs will correct a puppy. The intensity of the correction will increase if the pup seems too socially ignorant to understand. Frankly I don't care if the ignorant pup ends up running away screaming - they are just mellow dramatic. I just treat it like "Well that was dumb of you to push it."

Thalie (9) did most of the correcting with Sadie at the beginning, Sadie will still scream like Thalie just cut off her leg but its is, like Christie said, just dramatics, nothing to be worried about.

[vneerland]

My gut feeling also says that poor Vanessa (welcome BTW) is the one who had the training curve ahead of her.
If you feel insecure now, with a pup kissing on your kids, or groveling at the older dogs, then maybe you are not up to the dog, instead of the dog not measuring up to your expectations? And that is perfectly legal. Someone out there will love a dog like you have. (she sounds like nice pup) So don''t feel bad if your instinct says that this is not for you. Don't feel like you have to keep her. You can foster and move on, or ask someone else to foster.
There is no shame in that, but it would be a shame to constantly live in fear of things that might happen, even if you mis read the pup.

[Kristie E]

For me, my rule with other dogs is "If there's no blood, it OK." Typically adults dogs will correct a puppy. The intensity of the correction will increase if the pup seems too socially ignorant to understand. Frankly I don't care if the ignorant pup ends up running away screaming - they are just mellow dramatic. I just treat it like "Well that was dumb of you to push it."

Thalie (9) did most of the correcting with Sadie at the beginning, Sadie will still scream like Thalie just cut off her leg but its is, like Christie said, just dramatics, nothing to be worried about.

Lonnie my grumpy old waiting for us at the rainbow bridge GSD, corrected both Izar and Gwen when they were pups, Izar must have screamed for what seemed like an eternity and ran around the house and Gwen squealed like a stuck pig when Lonnie shook her by the scruff of her neck... they both brought it on themselves... I did feel somewhat bad for them though..

[leih merigian]

So don''t feel bad if your instinct says that this is not for you. Don't feel like you have to keep her. You can foster and move on, or ask someone else to foster.
There is no shame in that, but it would be a shame to constantly live in fear of things that might happen, even if you mis read the pup.

Ditto!!!

The worst thing of all would be to keep a pup you don't feel right about, for whatever reason. Just be honest with yourself about it. As Judith said, there is someone out there for whom this pup would be a great fit, if it's not you and your family right now.