Separation may be a good idea to try, or when their quarantine concerns are over, kenneling each with a stable and confident dog? Some other ideas:
- Try a smaller kennel, whether separately or together--something more denlike, where they're more likely to resign themselves to a person's presence.
- Is there an experienced volunteer or foster carer who could sit with them daily to do reading, studying, or online work?
- Try extending a walk into a trip for a treat. Hamburgers and puppachinos can work wonders. I would do it one at a time.
- Could someone try them on an overnight, singly or together, to see if they're more comfortable away from the shelter? I've seen totally cage-crazed cats turn into loving fluffballs in a few hours in a home environment.
- You didn't mention why they came into care. If it's possible to find out more about their life pre-shelter, it could have some keys to helping them. We've adopted and raised human teenagers, and the more you know about their past, the more tools you have to work with.
Thank you for the effort you're obviously putting into helping this pair!
------------------------------
April King
Volunteer and Board Member
Kotor Kitties
------------------------------
Original Message:
Sent: 12-01-2021 08:39 AM
From: Anonymous Member
Subject: Dogs Scared After Being Dropped Off At Shelter By Owner
This message was posted by a user wishing to remain anonymous
Our rescue recently took in a brother and sister medium size dogs who are petrified if you approach them. Currently they are together in their own private area, a large area and access to an outside enclosed area. They allow us to feed them and clean the room but if you approach them they huddle together on their bed and one or sometimes both begin to growl. One of our staff members has been able to get them out to walk them but he does not work everyday. We have sat with them, talked to them but still no luck. Would it be a good idea to separate them as it seems they are feeding off one another? We only have 2 staff members daily with over 35 animals to care for with volunteer dog walkers coming in 3-5 days a week. Any recommendations would be appreciated.
#AdmissionsandIntake(includingIntake-to-placement)
#Behavior,TrainingandEnrichment