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Fiona


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My Special Friend
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I have a new friend! At work if any dogs need some extra love and attention or training they are given a "Special Friend" to look after them and do all they can to help them get a new home. I now have a lovely greyhound as mine! party.gif

She is very nervous and is frightened of everything, and my aim is to gradually gain her confidence and then eventually introduce her to the world outside of kennels. I know this will take some time, but I am prepared to work at it for however long it takes so that this lovely girl can become more confident. I'm going to start by going in today (my day off) and just sitting in her kennel with her so that she knows she doesn't have to fear me. After a few weeks I hope she will be ready to go on little trips out with me, seeing traffic, going to the park and perhaps trying my stairs and learning about all the scary things that happen in a house... wink.gif

If anyone has any tips they'd like to share, they will be most appreciated.

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tootsmazza


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clap.gif good for you! I'm sure your devotion will help this shy girl find her confidence. Will keep fingers crossed for her aww
Marie

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feldandjack


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It sounds like this lucky girl has landed on her feet (paws) I'm sure she will reward your love a hundred times over. I hope you can post some pics soon.
Annebiggrin

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Fiona


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I went in today and just sat in her kennel, her kennel mate jumped all over me, but she just stood against the wall shaking. After 10 minutes of talking to her gently she stopped shaking and I could stroke her head. I felt that was enough to begin with and I'll spend more time with her tomorrow. She is fine if someone goes in and puts a lead on her and walks her, but she obviously isn't used to cuddles yet. blankstare



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Rats are just very small dogs.
Teresa


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awww bless ! good luck with her, i'm sure she'll reward your devotion in time. x

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if it's not a greyhound, it's just a dog Dog 2
max


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It is so nice to hear that attention like this is being given to the dogs and I am sure in time she will come round. Shame her kennel mate has to be in at the same time as one to one always works better without distractions then all she has to focus on is you. biggrin Nora 

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"YOU OWE IT TO YOUR DOG TO BE WORTHY OF IT,S DEVOTION".
scoobcleecook


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Good luck with what could be a long process! Hopefully, once she gets the idea, she'll come on in leaps and bounds (although perhaps that's a bit energetic for a greyhound!!!).

All the best,

Jean & the gang

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Christine Young


GAL Newsletter Editor

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Good luck Fiona! I'm sure this little girl will gradually get more confidence and enjoy a more domestic environment under your care! Please keep us posted on how you're getting on with her.

Christine

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Lindasdogs


GAL Convenor * Homing Co-ordinator * Forum Moderator

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Fiona,

Has she a name? I know that you will in time gain her trust - it just takes lots of time and patience! Good luck and look forward to hearing about her progress!
Linda

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Linda M Chisholm-Stewart
emma


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Fiona,
        Look forward to hearing how she progresses - I'm sure the work you put in will pay dividends for her. Good Luck with her Em and Chad x

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greyluvver


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Fiona,

I'm sure you will bring the best out of the girl given time.  Needless to say your time and patience will be so rewarding too!  That was lovely to hear that you could stroke her head after spending time in her kennel.  Keep up the good work clap.gif  Look forward to hearing about her progress.  

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Lita
Thistle


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clap.gif Hi I just wanted to say well done its a lovely story and Im sure you will both get loads from the time spent together.

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Jen, Jon, kids and dogs :-)
Isla


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Wee soul.  Wonder what's happened in her past to make her so scared.  Glad she's got you to help her over this hurdle.  Best of luck to you both.  Keep us informed of progress.  aww

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Karen Maclagan
FAJ


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Sounds like this wee lass is very lucky to have you. Maybe she'll learn from her kennel mate that people can be lots of fun? Pearly's confidence really came on in leaps and bounds when we got Harry as he taught her a lot.

Keep us all updated with stories of your progress.

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Indiana


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Awwww, she sounds like she's got just the right person to be with her. Good luck with your role as special friend and I look forward to hearing the updates. x

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Dave


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Fiona wrote:

If anyone has any tips they'd like to share, they will be most appreciated.



Hi Fiona, hope things are going well with your 'friend'. Best bit of advice I can give you is watch your body language, the DT has probably explained this to you so I don't want to repeat anything however I've found that when meeting scared dogs for the first time it's good to crouch or sit down down at their level but remain a few meters away from them, talk softly to them and no sudden movements, as you build up an understanding that you are not going to do any harm start stroking on the front of the chest very slowly, initially try to avoid round the back of the head and the body of the dog as this my be seen as threatening. Hope that helps...



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Fiona


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I sat at the other side of her kennel so that I wasn't "pinning" her against the wall, eventually after watching her kennel mate being given biscuits, she took one from me! thumbsup.gif  Then next time, she actually came up to the front of the kennel as I was opening it, rather than running away to hide. smile

Next step it to take her out and just sit somewhere quiet on our own, I think.

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Rats are just very small dogs.
Teresa


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sounds like you are making small steps already - very well done and keep it up.

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if it's not a greyhound, it's just a dog Dog 2
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