Gus update

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Gus rug2By popular request….

Gus is doing OK. We’ve had him for a month now and it seems like he’s been getting a little better.  He now will sometimes go through the front door… if you’re right there at his side.  But every once in a while he’ll just freeze outside and won’t go through.  You have to pick him up and carry him through.  He’s pretty much had the full run of the house.  He sleeps in the bedroom, starts out on the bed at the foot then after a while he jumps down and sleeps very well in his little dog bed by the chair.

And he’ll go downstairs on his own… a or he has 2 or 3 times.  But only after you’ve been down there for a while and keep calling him.  After a half hour or so he’ll come down.  But he likes it upstairs the best.  So we can see some signs of improvement.

Until last night….
Last night we went out for a few hours and put him in his crate.  When we got home he had overturned his water bowl (never done before) and I couldn’t see his food bowl.  I eventually found it under his bed.  When you open the crate door most dogs would shoot out of there like lightning.  Not Gus.  He just sits in there for a while then maybe takes a step or two out. 

All day today, he’s been acting like he’s mad at me.  He’s starting to warm up…as much as Gus warms up anyway.  Which isn’t too much.

 

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27 thoughts on “Gus update”

  4. Just have continued patience with him. If you lived the life Gus lived, you might be as quirky or more so. It’s only been a month. Positive reinforcement is the best with all animals. Keep loving him and keep treats in your pocket, offering those treats when he does something good…like go through the door. Remember that you did something wonderful…you took in a rescued animal. That deserves a treat for yourself 🙂

  5. Have you tried clicker training with him? It’s worked wonders with my little lab/chihuahua (seriously). She’s got that chihuahua quirkiness about her and is afraid of new things, but with clicker training she has overcome a lot of them. The basic premise is every time Gus does something you want him to do (like go through a door on his own) you click and then give him a small treat. If that’s too big a jump, you make the accomplishment smaller. Every time Gus puts a paw to go towards the doorway, you click and treat. Eventually you treat for every two steps, then 5, etc. Make sense?
    The click serves as a marker for the desired behavior (so you click as it’s happening) the treat let’s them know it’s positive. It’s important that you treat every time you click, even when you accidentally click.
    I’m no expert, I took my mutt to a Puppy Socialization class (that’s where I learned clicker training). She was afraid of all unknown dogs and people. The class got her around a lot of people and dogs, she got tons of treats, and I learned how to train her on just the major issues (crate, leash walking, drop it, leave it, etc). Plus I had a professional that listened to all my inane questions and helped me with ideas and remedies (like pumpkin is AMAZING for dogs: constipation, loose stool, upset stomach for car rides, wetting dry food, diet supplement for fat dogs, etc.).
    Maybe that will help you with all of Gus’ quirks. He looks like the cutest thing ever.
    And here’s a picture of my dog for you to see. We also lovingly refer to her as “Crackhead” (she’s a high energy puppy!) 🙂

  6. If I had my balls cut off, I would not walk through a doorway either. It is called arousiophobia, unable to perform on a human leg or your bitch.

  7. klaw yer killin me,,,i think gus has alot of hidden talent,it will show 1 day soon,i have a dog that can count and tell time,THAT gets me in trouble alot,as far as his treats,and what time theyre due,,its a learning experience fer all,patience is a virtue fer sure, i know cuz i like ta fish,,
    oldbear.

  8. That’s a great picture of Gus. Is he the official B&P mascot? There should be a permanent picture of him up in the banner area that can be updated frequently.

  9. It really sounds like poor Gus was abused. Vegaslady is right: lots of love, treats, and consistency and he’ll come around. It will take time.

  11. Gus is wicked cute! Our cat Salem Spookypants has weird tendencies as well that we have learned to laugh at and love. Good Luck, pets are great!

  12. Scott, good idea. One before and after the declawing. Jon, does he ever say meow? Just kidding, tell him to man up and grow a sack.

  16. He must have had a miserable life. It’s going to take some time. My daughter’s second rescue dog took several months to trust and relax. He didn’t even know what a toy was. His new “brother” kept bringing him toys and trying to get him to play, and got no reaction. What a wonderful feeling when he finally got it! Now the two of them play all the time.

  17. The dish thing could just mean he wants you to leave the crate door open when you leave. He might have just felt like he was being punished for something and got pissy.

  19. Gus is so adorable and y’all seem to be doing a great job with him. If he is now going through the door when he once wouldn’t, hes already feeling safer. You seem to have really bonded with Gus, not sure who is luckier, you or him.

    Here is Kiki, my fat-butt chihuahua-saurus. She was starved, abused and neglected when we got her a year ago Oct. Shes now 12lbs of pure love.

  21. We had a rescue cat years ago, she would bite and scrach, but lots of love and understand brought her round and she turned into the most loving cat we ever had

  22. If he was a resuce pet, then it does take awhile before they return to a normal personality. We have a pound puppy (well, dog) and he took a good 6 months to realize that he wasn’t going to be abandoned again and that our home was his forever home and he was part of the family.

  24. I have a terrier rescue who looks a lot like Gus. I adopted him 7 years ago and he was totally clueless. Rather than being physically abused, I think no one had ever paid any attention to him. He was like a wired-for-sound lump of clay and I started shaping him. It was hard work at first. Being a terrier, he was headstrong and had ADD. However, with patience and love, he has turned into a wired-for-sound (hey…he’s a terrier), sweet, loving, tries-to-please friend. He still forgets himself occasionally, but he’s a real gem. Gus will be fine. He just has to have time to realize that he’s finally HOME.

  25. LOL – my dog didn’t speak to me for two days once when I left her with FAMILY for a weeks vacation. She gets moppy and mad! Dogs are great, thanks for sharing. I love Gus, he is so cute!

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