Allin1PetCare
08-28-2008, 07:36 PM
My job isn’t glamorous or easy, and it is often frustrating. I have bite scars from working with aggressive dogs. I work long/odd hours and devote a lot of personal time to help educate people on the advantages of altering, and on the high level of commitment and work involved with owning a pet. Many owners start out saying they will do “whatever it takes” only to have them later say “I don’t have the time,” “it’s too hot,” “I’m too tired when I get home, or “I can’t get up that early.” Nevertheless, every once in a while, a case comes along that makes it all worthwhile – meet Mickey.
Mickey was dropped off at a shelter when he was approximately 2 ½ to 3 weeks old. He was covered in fleas, ticks, red ants, had parasites, was severely dehydrated, and emaciated. There were also old bite wounds around the head, face, and muzzle, and no mom or littermates were reported. The shelter then placed him with two different foster homes from his arrival to 9 weeks of age.
Let’s do a recap: no mom or littermates for his nutritional and emotional needs, evidence of neglect, malnourishment, as well as physical and emotional trauma. First home: birthplace, second home: rescuer, third and fourth homes: two different foster homes – four homes in 9 weeks! What would all this do to a puppy’s fragile psyche? Well, with Mickey it made him brutally aggressive.
He returned to the shelter for adoption, but first he had to go through a temperament test. Who would have thought that a 9 week old, 10 lb pup, could be so vicious! This little pup brutally attacked a tester, was ruthlessly food aggressive, made no eye contact, viciously attacked when handled for extended periods, and would act rabid if there was any contact with his face or muzzle. The shelter’s staff felt they had not choice: It would be in everyone’s best interest that Mickey “be put to sleep.” However, his foster parents refused to give up on him, and instead enlisted the help of a behaviorist.
On his arrival, he attacked my dogs, mauled my hands, and bathing him was a nightmare! I placed him on strict 24-hour supervision. We constantly monitored and corrected all his actions for a week, and soon thereafter, we started seeing a change. Now Mickey is essentially, a well-adjusted puppy. I entered him in a Puppy Conformation competition where he won Best in Group and then went on to win Best in Show! Of course, he still has quite a bit of work ahead of him but he continues to improve and shows lots of promise for his future. Mickey is proof that with the right amount of commitment, and dedication, any pet can become a good canine citizen. It's a huge responsibility when you take in a pet, but don’t just give up on him. Seek help, read books, and ask questions. All In One Pet Care provides complimentary consults to Wag n’ Brag members, at no cost to you. We care, and we are here to help!
God Bless,
Arlene
Mickey was dropped off at a shelter when he was approximately 2 ½ to 3 weeks old. He was covered in fleas, ticks, red ants, had parasites, was severely dehydrated, and emaciated. There were also old bite wounds around the head, face, and muzzle, and no mom or littermates were reported. The shelter then placed him with two different foster homes from his arrival to 9 weeks of age.
Let’s do a recap: no mom or littermates for his nutritional and emotional needs, evidence of neglect, malnourishment, as well as physical and emotional trauma. First home: birthplace, second home: rescuer, third and fourth homes: two different foster homes – four homes in 9 weeks! What would all this do to a puppy’s fragile psyche? Well, with Mickey it made him brutally aggressive.
He returned to the shelter for adoption, but first he had to go through a temperament test. Who would have thought that a 9 week old, 10 lb pup, could be so vicious! This little pup brutally attacked a tester, was ruthlessly food aggressive, made no eye contact, viciously attacked when handled for extended periods, and would act rabid if there was any contact with his face or muzzle. The shelter’s staff felt they had not choice: It would be in everyone’s best interest that Mickey “be put to sleep.” However, his foster parents refused to give up on him, and instead enlisted the help of a behaviorist.
On his arrival, he attacked my dogs, mauled my hands, and bathing him was a nightmare! I placed him on strict 24-hour supervision. We constantly monitored and corrected all his actions for a week, and soon thereafter, we started seeing a change. Now Mickey is essentially, a well-adjusted puppy. I entered him in a Puppy Conformation competition where he won Best in Group and then went on to win Best in Show! Of course, he still has quite a bit of work ahead of him but he continues to improve and shows lots of promise for his future. Mickey is proof that with the right amount of commitment, and dedication, any pet can become a good canine citizen. It's a huge responsibility when you take in a pet, but don’t just give up on him. Seek help, read books, and ask questions. All In One Pet Care provides complimentary consults to Wag n’ Brag members, at no cost to you. We care, and we are here to help!
God Bless,
Arlene