Hi to All, please forgive my poor English, doing my best.
I found this board while desperately searching for more information on the internet.
We are having a situation here that needs a solution, or a plan. Tried to get some support from the foster home, but no luck.
I am really hoping for some words of wisdom from experienced pitbull guardians.
So here is the situation:
I have always been afraid of dogs, just an irrational fear since I do not have any bad experiences to recall. Have always seen myself as a cat person, also imagined one has to be pretty bossy with a dog, which quality I don't have in me.
I've had cats in the house for many years, currently 2 younger cats, one from a foster home, and the other from MDAS.
Now to Tina:
Almost all of my neighbors here have a dog as a part of the family. I have seen and met the dogs daily for years now, which has taken off the edge of my fear. So for a couple of months I've been looking for a dog that could live happy here with me and the cats.
I called local dog rescue and foster homes group, and spoke to the manager. Told her straight I am completely new to the dog guardians world, still a bit afraid of dogs, zero knowledge nor experience, have cats and admire mostly medium size dogs. The lady said they have a dog that would be perfect for me and showed me photos on their web site. On the day I was supposed to meet the dog, the lady showed up with a different one, and here comes Tina.
Tina is supposedly a black lab-boxer-amstaff mix, about 1 1/2 y., 42 lb. She was found tied up to a car, and had been kenneled in foster home for one month.
Her veterinarian is also our veterinarian who has known me and my cats for years, and both the lady and the vet agreed Tina will be the perfect dog for a first time dog caregiver. I was told Tina loves everybody, gets very well along with cats, and that she is like a teddy bear in a large body.
She is so beautiful, it takes my breath away. A black beauty.
And she looks like an Amstaff, starting from the tip of her nose.
She looks just like @catchrcall's dog, only black.
Thatis the scary part. Based on "what they say".
She was being left with me yesterday, with no guidance on how to handle her in the best way, just a reassurance that everything will go well. And now all the media stories are pumping huge adrenaline into my stomach each time she looks at me.
I am scared to death. She has not done one single thing to back up my fear - she actually looks pretty sad and loving, follows me with her eyes everywhere, behaves very well mannered both at home and during our walks, resting with her belly up in the crate, and she does not show any interest in the cats. She has been nothing but a wonderful dog, even letting me help her getting up to my jeep yesterday, waiting politely when shopping strong collars and leashes, taking the ride like a princess, no one single threatening move on her side. It's in my head.
She deserves love and a good home, and I am like a little chicken placed together with a lion. Not promising well I guess...? It looks like she is a bit scared as well, a bit insecure when we leave for a walk, and anxious to get back home when we are close to the house. It is like both Tina and me are in a similar situation, not knowing what the other is up to and what happens next.
I can't read her body language, each time Tina is out of the crate, I am walking on my tip toes, have no confidence around her what so ever.
At the same time I a kind of feel her insecurity as well. I was sleeping in a chair in the living room last night, so that she should be able to see me and do not get afraid. She had nightmares twice, but got relaxed again when spoken too with calm (fake calm, I am terrified) voice.
I tried to call the lady and ask for some moral support here, but she got irritated, told me she's got 3 jobs and 18 foster dogs, thus has no time to talk, she has told me everything will be fine, and besides if I don't want Tina, I can tell her anytime and she will come and get her.
I have also scheduled an appointment with a dog trainer for an evaluation and private cl$#@! for Tina and me, starting next week.
In a meantime Tina is spending most of the time in a large crate, although she would love to play and to show her affection. She loves getting out of the crate, but I am freezing each time she gets near me, or even looks at me. Ears a bit back and I freak out inside and lead her back to the crate with treats.
I am not a person that gives up easy, but can't get rid of the fear of Tina, and that is a bad situation.
At the same time I would love her to stay, would love us to bond, and most of all not to go back to the kennel. This is a living creature, not a product to exchange if does not fit, I have never given up on an animal, ever.
Again, if it turns out her gens are dominated by the Amstaff in her... I am a quiet person, don't know how to be a pack leader for such a strong minded dog, how to dominate anybody, and would I have to watch Tina around the clock for any critical signs? Just the thought makes me freeze.
Do you think we have a chance, or am I doing Tina more bad than good for each day by giving her a taste of home while avoiding interactions out of fear?
Please tell me what do you think, good or bad, I need to hear what will be best for this beautiful dog that has been through enough crap in her life already.
Sorry this post got so long, it could have been just one line as well: "Adopted a dog looking like pitbull, now scared to death based on her looks, what do we do now?".
I found this board while desperately searching for more information on the internet.
We are having a situation here that needs a solution, or a plan. Tried to get some support from the foster home, but no luck.
I am really hoping for some words of wisdom from experienced pitbull guardians.
So here is the situation:
I have always been afraid of dogs, just an irrational fear since I do not have any bad experiences to recall. Have always seen myself as a cat person, also imagined one has to be pretty bossy with a dog, which quality I don't have in me.
I've had cats in the house for many years, currently 2 younger cats, one from a foster home, and the other from MDAS.
Now to Tina:
Almost all of my neighbors here have a dog as a part of the family. I have seen and met the dogs daily for years now, which has taken off the edge of my fear. So for a couple of months I've been looking for a dog that could live happy here with me and the cats.
I called local dog rescue and foster homes group, and spoke to the manager. Told her straight I am completely new to the dog guardians world, still a bit afraid of dogs, zero knowledge nor experience, have cats and admire mostly medium size dogs. The lady said they have a dog that would be perfect for me and showed me photos on their web site. On the day I was supposed to meet the dog, the lady showed up with a different one, and here comes Tina.
Tina is supposedly a black lab-boxer-amstaff mix, about 1 1/2 y., 42 lb. She was found tied up to a car, and had been kenneled in foster home for one month.
Her veterinarian is also our veterinarian who has known me and my cats for years, and both the lady and the vet agreed Tina will be the perfect dog for a first time dog caregiver. I was told Tina loves everybody, gets very well along with cats, and that she is like a teddy bear in a large body.
She is so beautiful, it takes my breath away. A black beauty.
And she looks like an Amstaff, starting from the tip of her nose.
She looks just like @catchrcall's dog, only black.
Thatis the scary part. Based on "what they say".
She was being left with me yesterday, with no guidance on how to handle her in the best way, just a reassurance that everything will go well. And now all the media stories are pumping huge adrenaline into my stomach each time she looks at me.
I am scared to death. She has not done one single thing to back up my fear - she actually looks pretty sad and loving, follows me with her eyes everywhere, behaves very well mannered both at home and during our walks, resting with her belly up in the crate, and she does not show any interest in the cats. She has been nothing but a wonderful dog, even letting me help her getting up to my jeep yesterday, waiting politely when shopping strong collars and leashes, taking the ride like a princess, no one single threatening move on her side. It's in my head.
She deserves love and a good home, and I am like a little chicken placed together with a lion. Not promising well I guess...? It looks like she is a bit scared as well, a bit insecure when we leave for a walk, and anxious to get back home when we are close to the house. It is like both Tina and me are in a similar situation, not knowing what the other is up to and what happens next.
I can't read her body language, each time Tina is out of the crate, I am walking on my tip toes, have no confidence around her what so ever.
At the same time I a kind of feel her insecurity as well. I was sleeping in a chair in the living room last night, so that she should be able to see me and do not get afraid. She had nightmares twice, but got relaxed again when spoken too with calm (fake calm, I am terrified) voice.
I tried to call the lady and ask for some moral support here, but she got irritated, told me she's got 3 jobs and 18 foster dogs, thus has no time to talk, she has told me everything will be fine, and besides if I don't want Tina, I can tell her anytime and she will come and get her.
I have also scheduled an appointment with a dog trainer for an evaluation and private cl$#@! for Tina and me, starting next week.
In a meantime Tina is spending most of the time in a large crate, although she would love to play and to show her affection. She loves getting out of the crate, but I am freezing each time she gets near me, or even looks at me. Ears a bit back and I freak out inside and lead her back to the crate with treats.
I am not a person that gives up easy, but can't get rid of the fear of Tina, and that is a bad situation.
At the same time I would love her to stay, would love us to bond, and most of all not to go back to the kennel. This is a living creature, not a product to exchange if does not fit, I have never given up on an animal, ever.
Again, if it turns out her gens are dominated by the Amstaff in her... I am a quiet person, don't know how to be a pack leader for such a strong minded dog, how to dominate anybody, and would I have to watch Tina around the clock for any critical signs? Just the thought makes me freeze.
Do you think we have a chance, or am I doing Tina more bad than good for each day by giving her a taste of home while avoiding interactions out of fear?
Please tell me what do you think, good or bad, I need to hear what will be best for this beautiful dog that has been through enough crap in her life already.
Sorry this post got so long, it could have been just one line as well: "Adopted a dog looking like pitbull, now scared to death based on her looks, what do we do now?".
Adopted Tina yesterday, love-fear situation, what to do?
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