A street dog named Goose

25/07/2022

We all get it wrong when working with anxious dogs.
Our training plan has been adapted and we will step back a little and ensure we work on confidence and fun for the next couple of months

https://www.facebook.com/148847392485118/posts/1061050261264822/?d=n

29/01/2022

I made the decision to Chemically castrate Goose. Not an easy decision and one I have stressed over for weeks. But despite hours of training, his reaction towards young males is instant and aggressive! It is all verbal and posturing, but I don’t want to this to become worse!
So why do I think castration will help? Because this reaction is only toward males I’m assuming it’s driven by testosterone! Goose is nearly 2 now, so he shouldn’t have any more surges and his levels should be pretty stable, growth plates totally developed too.
The misconception (and it is widely and false) is castration calms a dog down, and ‘fixes’ behavioural problems. If the problem behaviour is caused by testosterone then yes castration may help, but that’s it!!
The misconception (and it is widely and false) is castration calms a dog down, and ‘fixes’ behavioural problems. If the problem behaviour is caused by testosterone then yes castration may help but that’s it!!
Testosterone what does it do?
In behavioural terms, testosterone has two main functions.
One you probably guessed Is to trigger the dog’s s*x drive. Unwanted behaviour from this can be: escaping the garden, running off, basically looking for a mate. Hu***ng, ma********on, urine marking and more.
Two, Testosterone does appear to increase the expression of aggressive behaviour. Probably a through back to when males would fight for the right to mate and eat! But (and this is a massive factor) testosterone is also a major part in determining a dog’s levels of self-confidence! In a fearful dog this can be catastrophic! Goose is a fearful dog he has so much baggage that taking away the confidence that his testosterone gives him, could turn him into a nervous shaking wreck that is scared of everything again.
But if the there are aggressive behaviours in dogs castration will help them? you may ask! The answer is maybe, but not necessarily.
Because there is more than one type of aggression!
If the behaviour you are hoping to reduce is fear based, you could shoot yourself in the foot, as it will probably become worse!
If you are having problems ask a behaviourist before you mess with hormones.
So why chemical castration for Goose? Basically because it’s reversible.
What is chemical castration?
A hormonal chip (Suprelorin) under the dog’s skin in their neck, much like their ID chips (it’s rather large).
There are 2 chips available, one that lasts for 6 months and another that lasts for 12 months.
I’ve opted for the 6 month one.
The active ingredient is a hormone that down regulates testosterone causing the testicles to reduce in size. The testicles regain their size and produce testosterone and s***m again once the chip begins to lose its effect.
In addition to a swelling at the injection site, the side effects of chemical castration are a possible testosterone surge at the start then a tendency to gain weight and changes in coat quality.
If Goose becomes more fearful then I just have to manage his environment for 6 months until the chip’s effect has worn off. The countdown begins!

Photo of goose at the vets waiting for the sedation to work.
Luckily our vets are fabulous and gave us the time to sit with him. And even allowed his emotional support little brother in too

21/10/2021

Goose is becoming an adult. At 18 months old his testosterone levels should be settling down after a peak, however I don’t think this is the case with Goose! I can only surmise it may have something to do with a delayed puppy stage due to his circumstances. His behaviour in the last few weeks has become over confident, borderline rude and pushy. I’ve probably been to dismissive of this as we have concentrated on making him happy around people. He has always been happy and friendly around dogs, so I’ve not stepped in to mould any behaviour in that area. However while we out yesterday a young off lead puppy ran up to us, stopped a couple of metres away and displayed some lovely normal non threatening polite body language. My other dogs totally ignored him, Goose on the other hand, stood up on his toes, heckles up, and delivered a low and menacing growl followed by a bark at the poor pup!
To say I’m im really disheartened and disappointed is an understatement! (I have missed something and not created a robust enough training plan).
I know only too well that like many behaviours, aggression is a combination of both nature and nurture. Early life experiences can shape adult aggression in dogs, but so can the dogs’ temperament, a characteristic partly controlled by hormones. High levels of testosterone lead to greater reactivity with faster, longer and more intense responses to external stimuli. But the question is how do I deal with it now?
Castration is not an option as taking all of the hormones that give him courage would lead to greater problems in so many other areas.
Did I miss something? So now the new plan starts!
Building more focus and control, monitoring other behaviours to ensure this is due to testosterone and waiting for the levels to settle.

24/09/2021

Goose is on holiday this week!
For a fearful ex street dog that hasn’t the confidence of most dogs, this has been a challenge, as for many dogs found as strays the issue is a lack of socialisation, but we will never know what the exact reasons certain things caused him to become a jittering bag of nerves looking for an escape route!
All we know is there is a reason and it is not a choice he makes, it’s an emotional response! We can NOT “force” him to get over his fears. You also can’t bond with a fearful dog if you are not the one to support them when they are fearful!
When they cower and shake in fear, there is always a reason why. They could have been abused or neglected, or there could have been a traumatizing event that shook their confidence. Your dog decides what is scary, not you! Be the one your dog runs too for support!
Goose started this week scared of the sea and when the water moved he ran away with his tail between his legs! Over the week I’ve given him more space and left the option to investigate completely up to him! I’ve stood in the water, the other dogs have played in it and today, he finally made the decision to just barrel through, like it was nothing! Proud mum moment! ❤️ this dog amazes me and makes me a better person!

09/04/2021

The birthday boy and his friends

30/03/2021

Goose tried to fill his own lick mat today! It proved a little difficult so he just ate both!

03/02/2021

Goose went shopping today! As he is tuned into his inner puppy (it’s common for rescue dogs to has a second puppy stage) we give him a new toy every week. This may seem extravagant, but it is cheaper than replacing chewed up shoes, glasses etc. Dogs need to chew!! We should not try and suppress this behaviour, it can be self soothing and a necessary to keep them happy.
Buying a new toy each week keep the excitement for that toy fresh and reduces the likelihood of having my house destroyed!
RIP, 2 trainers, 1 remote control, 1 pair of glasses, 2 wooden spoons, 3 slippers, 1 glove, 2 plastic bowls and a few Christmas decorations. This was due to a lack of ‘control and management’ from us, just like having a toddler in the house we need to keep items out of reach.

23/01/2021

Snow!!
Goose spends most of his time trying to keep up with lottie! Not a chance, she is supersonic, poor pup needs longer legs.

22/01/2021

This is Gooses ‘I’ve found something good’ look, and slight disownership in case it’s something I disapprove of! Which in this case is a piece of concrete!!!

16/01/2021

Kitten or puppy? Either way my knitting is destroyed 🥺

12/01/2021

Practicing sit stay today.
Sounds simple but sitting still is an important skill, and helps build control. We have one distraction the senile old terrier wandering around. Over the weeks we will add other distractions so Goose can remain still and focused on me in any situation.

11/01/2021

Saturday morning Day 68, woken up at 7am by what I can only describe as baying! A prolonged, very loud, bark to wailing sound. Not howling a far more intense excitable sound that raised the rest of the house from a deep sleep to a ready for battle stance in a millisecond!! Not the way we like to start a Saturday. 😳.
Goose is now 9 months old and is experiencing some changes through this adolescence period.
One minute he is confidently trotting like he owns the world the next scared of a leaf on the breeze. His recovery time from these bouts of fear is almost instant so I know his foundations are pretty solid. He has made a close bond with Jones the cat, he grooms him and tries to play. Jones initiates some of these interaction so I know it’s not overwhelming for him.
Jones the cat is cunning and crafty animal! Saturday morning Jones went on a mission of mayhem! Charging around downstairs and hiding from Goose, he also licked the icing from the top of a cake in the kitchen. (Goose is now confidence enough to follow Jones and leave his humans and dog family behind) After 30 minutes of mischief Jones decided to take his antics to the garden. He exits the house via the cat flap into the garden, leaving his partner Goose stuck inside. Being the captain of mischief Jones is, he spent the next 10 mins parading around the conservatory and walking up and down the fence. The jury is still out wether this behaviour was to encourage Goose to follow him out of cat flap or to wind him up! But we can categorically say Goose was wound up. 🐈 🐕 🌪

04/01/2021

Don’t strictly agree with the ages, but it certainly feels like Goose is honing his inner raptor now!

02/01/2021

What a difference a couple of months make.
Goose is loosing his puppy looks. Adolescence is settling in, surging hormones, independent thinking
maniac bounds of energy, pushing boundaries, stroppy tantrums, bouts of deafness and this will continue for a few months now.
He has started to chew shoes, (sorry Thomas) a mixture of boredom and curiosity is driving him to find ‘jobs’ now, some of these are for attention “what will mum do now”?
He has found his voice, and now barks at noises and objects the raise his suspicion. Soon he will begin to c**k his leg to ensure he is marking his territory, and will insist on marking over peed areas, he will lose his manners around the other dogs and begin to take an interest in ladies 🥰!
Lapses in attention, forgetting everything that you taught them are common. Don’t take chances with recall in open areas.
How do we cope?
Remember all dogs go through this period, it is important to remember they will get through it!
We simply take a step or two back with the training. High value rewards new different types and patiently re-teach in short sessions, 5 to 10 minutes a couple of times a day often works better that long sessions where frustration can set in.
Be sure to make it worth their while, with the use of positive reinforcement. It can be easy to slip into focusing on the negatives spending more time saying “NO” this will only make things worse. Play focus games using their favourite toys and treats, always end with a game and playtime.
Growth spurts and hormone surges can coincide with your pup seeming to be reactive or scared of things that have not bothered them in the past; people, dogs, unfamiliar objects or places etc. Managing this through this period is vitally important. As I have said before single-event learning is a powerful thing. I was hoping to be further along in Gooses training before we got here, but life doesn’t always go to plan! Bad experiences during this period can have a lasting effect on your dog’s behaviour and can even undo all their previous learnings. This is the time where lack of adequate and appropriate socialisation and habituation can become an issue, and those dogs like Goose that have missed so much during the early stages can start to show behaviour problems associated with fear including reactivity, aggression, increase excitability, and over-reactions to just about everything.
Tips
🐾 Your dog is not being difficult or defiant.
🐾 Keep training short and fun.
🐾 Don’t lose your patience.
🐾 Keep all social interactions positive and happy.
🐾 Be picky with play mates, meeting antisocial or aggressive dogs can shape the future of your dog.
🐾 Be prepared for your dog to be worried or fearful.

If you are at all worried about your dog’s behaviour, talk to a behaviourist who can help you get through your dog’s adolescence. Better now than after the issues become habits

29/12/2020

Snow today! Goose has never seen snow, he was a little confused why the flakes disappeared when they hit the floor. He does like tasting new things!

15/12/2020

Goose is less nervous outside now. We still have a long way to go and need to find the balance between not being worried when he meets people dogs and other animals and wanting to charge up to say hello.
If I spend to much time allowing Goose to meet and play I may inadvertently teach him this is expected and accepted with every dog, animal and person. Which is not the case!
Teaching any dog good manners is as important as recall.
Not every person we meet likes dogs not every dog we see likes dogs and other animals hardly ever like dogs running up to them.
Manners maketh the dog!
If your dog does not have manners, do not allow them to approach other dogs. Charging at another dog is not good manners, nor is barking, or chasing a dog that hasn’t signalled their own desire to play a game. Following this rudeness with ‘He only wants to play’ is not an excuse.
If I charged up to you, and screamed in your face “let’s play a game mate” then pushed you and knuckled rubbed your head, what would you think?

My training this week will be the same as everyone’s in this circumstance. Find the distance we can work at where Goose can still focus on me, say his name, or cue him to look at me and give him a reward. This will be done on a lead or long line as I don’t have full verbal control. I will practice this until we are able to walk past and Goose will be focused on me. Remember the reward needs to be amazing, offering him a dry biscuit in place of chasing a dog will not work!
This does not mean he can never say hello to people and dogs, but it will only be when I allow him to, this will keep him and other safe.

12/12/2020

This is my Rescue Dog. There are many like him, but this one is mine.
My Dog is my best friend. He is my life. I must love him more than I love my life.

Without me, my Dog is lost. Without my Dog, I am lost. I must show my Dog how to cope with his new world everyday. I must defend my Dog when others are out of control and trying to scare him. I must protect him before he feels the fear.
My Dog and I know that what counts in life, is not the tricks we can play, the sports we take part in, nor the happy meeting of dogs or people on walks. We know that it is trust, and the happiness that count.

My Dog is as human in emotions as I. Thus, I will learn everything about him. I will learn his weaknesses, his strength, his boundaries, his fears, his loves and his limits. I will keep my Dog happy and able to cope with life’s challenges. We will become part of each other.

Before God, I swear this creed. I am a defender of my Dogs emotions. A protector of his welfare and a support to his growth.

So be it, until he is old and leaves this life, I am his guide, his friend, his bodyguard, his coach and his whole world!
This is the rescue dogs creed.

(Taken from the riflemans creed)

07/12/2020

Goose loves the ice this morning. He spent ages exploring the garden like a new world. Crunchy grass and slippy floors.

05/12/2020

02/12/2020

Someone is jealous of his big sister’s achievements!!
Pulled it off the wall and ran off with it!! 🐒
Goose needs to earn his own, long way off level 2!

30/11/2020

Well it’s been a strange morning.
Dogs all snuggled up on the sofa, Goose starts jerk!
He is dreaming I think to myself,
But NO he isn’t, without even moving position he vomits 🤮 all over Kassy!!
As if that isn’t bad enough Kassy and Louie sleeping next to her start to eat the freshly served breakfast. While Goose goes back to sleep!
Thanks guys 🤢

29/11/2020

Boxes are fabulous for dogs to play with but be careful. You have have to help them open their jaws!

https://dogstodaymagazine.co.uk/2020/11/27/dogs-jaw-glued-shut-after-chewing-amazon-parcel/?fbclid=IwAR17sfbCWmgHT7jWQQv0sW9-OxQEwLwwd1uQ3kct6ktLnfY-pBqQuFCKEic

Roxi's shaw jaw was glued shut after she chewed on an Amazon parcel, and owners are warned to be mindful in the run-up to Christmas.

26/11/2020

Definitely growing into a cheeky puppy!
(Note to self: I have to stop laughing at his antics)
First we have smurgling up! ‘What me! I’m not doing anything’
Next the sn**ch: grab move away,
Then: success let’s run away to destroy the annoying thing mum calls a work phone!!

24/11/2020

Goose is getting cheeky now.
Casualties this week so far: glasses, diary, the mail, a tape measure, plastic bowel, hair brush, yet another agility book (I think he is dropping hints) a slipper and elf on the shelf!! It’s only Tuesday how much can one dog destroy???

24/11/2020

Choosing ear styles is tiring 🤣

23/11/2020

Goose just looses his head sometimes 😂

22/11/2020

Three weeks today! He is slowly gaining confidence. So many things to expose him to in such a short time, getting the foundations of trust and confidence is the most important piece!

21/11/2020

Choice! Our modern day dogs have been robbed of so many choices.
We dictate when and where they sleep, when and what they eat, when, where and how often they go out.
For street dogs tracking, killing, scavenging, consuming and storing food would have taken most of their day, this in the way a dogs genetics are designed. Now food is produced and eaten in seconds. Take time at least once a week to give your dog the option of choice. What they pick to eat first may surprise you.

21/11/2020

Littermate Aoife walking on the mountains today, pretty little princess

21/11/2020

Littermate Joepie looking handsome! Today will be the first time he will be left home alone, fingers crossed it goes well for them.

20/11/2020

Let’s talk about separation anxiety for a moment!
A label I hate, and a condition I personally find frustrating.
It’s often misused as a blanket term without understanding the actual cause.
Some dogs are just bored when they are left alone, some not trained to be alone, others left in a state of arousal.
Ask yourself does your dog stress because:
(Separation anxiety)- there are no humans with them?
(Separation frustration) (fomo! More frustration than anxiety.) - something is going on that they are not included in.
(Barrier frustration) - when there is a gate or blockage between you?
(Isolation distress) - They are alone completely isolated?
(Hyper- attachment) - they cannot cope without their primary care giver.

This list is not entire but for now I’ll expand on the last.
Hyper dependancy or hyper attachment can be common with rescue dogs. It is easy to understand why, they have lost everything, sometimes more than once. Now they have everything, food, warm bed, toys, treats, someone to look after their every need, they will never be hungry or cold again. It is easy for them to attach to their new owners a little too much and you almost become an enabler for the anxiety!
In the firsts fees weeks/ months it’s a fine balance with emotionally scared dogs, they need to feel safe and grow confidence. This will only happen with a bond and knowing they are supporting. But a hyper attachment will hinder this growth as they will use you as a shield, and ultimately may even begin to guard you as a prized procession they will not be able to cope for a second without you. They may even begin to look for signs that you may leave, (picking keys up ect) Their lives will be full of stress even if it’s subtle it can still lead to massive problems.

Sign of stress
Barking / howling / whining
Only eating with you.
Following you everywhere
Escaping
Drooling
Panting
Yawning
Licking
Wide eyes
Nervous
Soiling
Scratching (themselves or objects)
Lip licking
Shadow chasing
Pacing
Staying at the last place you were
Watching doors window
Chewing your things

Again this list goes on...

Most things you’ll read about solving this will not be aimed at rescue dogs with emotional baggage. Tread carefully you could make matters worse.

As I’ve previously said I did nothing with Goose for 3 days I allowed him to bond and get used to his new home. I let him follow me everywhere and spent every minute with him.
From day 4, I closed the gate to the kitchen whilst cooking, making lunch or a brew. To begin with he sat with his nose pushed through the gap watching my every move. If I went out of sight he whimpered. If he had been quiet for a few seconds I would go back to the gate and give hime a treat. We built the time between treats, as he began to relax and lay by the gate whithout making a sound when I was out of sight. We extended this to me leaving the kitchen (through the other door) just out and back in, to start with.
For the next 11 days this is all I have done tiny little steps of time or in new area. Goose now lays in his bed on the landing when I shower. Stays in the lounge when I use the loo. Even stays in the lounge when I make a cuppa.
Today I left him in the house without a human for the first time.
I prepped by leaving the tv on, put my boots on, picked up my keys, all low key, no big fuss, dropped some treats on the floor and walked out.
I left the doors open so he could come to the hall gate and see I wasn’t there, he walked back and forth a few times and gave a little whimper or two. But that was it. I was out for 8 minutes, and at this point that’s fine, I will now build this up in tiny steps.
He needs to be happy on his own. Taking the time to get this right now will make things so much easier later on. He is an amazing little dog and deserves everything I can give him to ensure his further happy and stress free.

19/11/2020

Just a Goose snuggled up with his chicken

16/11/2020

First proper trail today, my shy little boy is learning how to work.
For those of you that don’t know, Mantrailing is teaching a dog to find a specific person by following where they have walked.
A scent article is left for the dog to take the scent from, then they have to follow the minute particles that fall that person until they find them!
Cracking start. He needed encouragement but that’s pretty normal. Watch this space. Goose gets trailing.

16/11/2020

Goose the first chapter!
14days, I’m hoping to be able to look back as we months pass by and see how we have progressed.

14/11/2020

DAY 13
Took it easy today, after yesterday we needed to give Goose a little time to settle again.
We tried traveling in the car instead of the van. It maybe that Goose will never like traveling in the van as single event learning is a powerful thing!
Goose sat with me in the car and we used squeezy cheese to keep him focused and try and make it a positive experience.
Not sure Ewan enjoyed washing the cheese off his car 🤩

14/11/2020

Day 12
Yesterday was not a good day. We had a lovely play and chased after Lottie, which is one of Gooses favourite things to do, (I have noticed subtle changes when he chases now, just slight signs of prey drive kicking in)!
Just after this video everything changed in a heartbeat. Other people’s dogs and tripping over leads, scared Goose to the point he lay on the floor and wouldn’t move.
These things will happen I know, I just have to hope we have enough positive associations to get past this quickly.

12/11/2020

DAY 11
Lazy day for Goose today, the last two days he has experienced new people and new dogs. Today we took it easy and consolidated focus on me and happy play.
It’s important to have down time, every new experience raises the cortisol levels, if they continue to build we will ruin our work so far. We need to add serotonin, and happy hormones.
Dogs like us can trigger stack, until one thing just becomes too much!
I like to think of life as sailing in a boat, there is always a little water in bottom (this represents stress, day to day life is stressful) everything that happens to worry your dog through the day adds a little more water. Every happy thing empties some water.
Watch you dog and try to balance the water level.
For a rescue dog even the little things can add water. Delivery man, noisy truck outside, barking dogs, even on tv, wearing a coat, strong winds, list is endless. Now ask yourself what makes my dog happy? Goose loves to run, his bouncy trot and loopy canter shows he is happy. Playing with his toys, hunting for food, these are all things that help keep the daily balance.

11/11/2020

The fabulous 4

Goose was one of 7 seven pups abandoned in the village of Mitsero. A local man Mr Minas, did his best to feed and watch over them and their mother, but unfortunately many of the villagers harassed him for encouraging strays! Nadia steps in and rescued them unfortunately one pup and mum escape. The remaining 6 were taken to the shelter to begin their new journeys. 3 are in the uk and 1 in the Netherlands. Hello guys,

11/11/2020

Day 10
Confidence growing by the day. Goose has taken some huge steps in the last couple of days. He was pretty relaxed with the amazing Jan (thank you so much xx) He is learning that he can meet humans and nothing bad will happen. These videos are just a snippet of our day there are low points and times I could kick myself. Working at the table I thought Lottie had approached me so went for the splat on the head and ear tussle we do, but it was Goose, who backed quickly away! ☹️ hands on the top of a dogs head are an enquired taste for dogs and mostly the learn to like it to please us!
Goose started the day with continuously barking at his reflection in the mirror (same mirror that has always been there) at 06:00 😖. Then a massive bang out side sent him running in the house before he had completed his toilet stuff (he finished that in the conservatory 🤮).
High points today: Meeting Jan and Goose taking food from her in a gentle and playful way. Another massive step not only eating his breakfast from a bowl, but a bowl on the floor, on his own while I brushed my teeth.
No winging no pacing!
We have slowly been worked up to him being on his own for a few seconds to a minutes. This is never an easy thing for a rescue. While I need to make him feel secure it’s a balance between hyper dependency and security! He needs to be happy but still feel safe on his own, or his life will be a scary place. Separation anxiety is an awful thing for dogs and owners and an difficult one to address. I do not want Goose to need me to exist!