Spooked boy update
This is an update to some of my questions asked in this amazing subreddit. Our boy Fellow is with us for nearly eight months and he changed beyond recognition ❤️
When we got him as a foster to possible adoption, he was scared of literally everything. People, loud noises, cars, strollers… For the first week he refused to get up from his hiding place to go on walk and we had to physically force and carry him outside on the street. He didn’t know what toys or treats are, he didn’t like to be touched. He didn’t like city life and we debated whether to keep him making him scared for the rest of his life, or find him a new home somewhere quieter.
The 3-3-3 rule turned out to be more 7-7-7, he gained trust and confidence very slowly. But after 4 months we saw first tail wiggles, after 6 the first teeth chatters when petted. At the same time the noises of the city stopped bothering him. Noisy construction, cars? It is like it’s not even there! Getting a second much more confident foster definitely helped a lot as well, though they are not very bonded and mostly just tolerate each other.
Lately we had some setbacks with recall and behavior in general. It was soon after we found out he still had roundworms (Toxocara) and treated him for that. Nowadays he is like a completely different dog. Happy, confident, even cuddly. This morning he demanded belly rubs and playfully snapped in the air.
I want to thank you all for answering my question, providing support for the newbie in greyhound rescue. I guess I also wanted to write this to encourage people struggling with their laidback spooks. It will be better and so much worthy. The bond will be there, it just takes time and a lot of patience.
The first picture is him a week ago, the others are from the very beginning of this journey.