Odd behaviour in a rescue dog

[seadogg]

A good friend who fosters small dogs has a minute Yorkie which has been an accessory dog. She was taken out in a handbag by her owner, who enjoyed a busy social life.

After de-matting, hand feeding and a lot of TLC the dog is beginning to trust her foster parents
but during the evening (about 6.30 to 9.30 p.m.) she growls if anyone approaches, becoming quite aggressive.

My friends are baffled. Can anyone offer possible explanations and suggestions for solving the problem. There house is full of happy rescue dogs otherwise.

[seadogg]

sorry "their"

[madmaggot]

Perhaps this was the time that the previous owner entertained? It may be that it was possessive of such an owner eliciting a bad response from visitor(s).

[divegirl]

It is said that a rescue dog will soon forget it's past.
Tell that to one that has been beaten and abused :0( This dog obviously associates that time of day with something, now they may never be bale to find out what, not like they can her. Are the rescue in any contact with the previous 'owner'?
Personally I would just give the dog space and time. Ignore the behaviour however hard it is as they do not not know what [behaviour] they are enforcing.
All dogs need their own space so make sure she has a safe and secure place that she can take herself off to. Distraction can work to some extent, they could try make this time of day for walkies or a treat, but for now she is settling in so leave her to it.

Lisa x

[divegirl]

*for bale read able

[seadogg]

Thanks madmaggot. As the dog is 4 this kind of behaviour could now be imprinted.

[divegirl]

I have no brain today.....*not like they can ask her

[seadogg]

Thank s Divegirl, I would agree with your suggestion.
Re your question, the woman more or less chucked the dog at my friend and said "good luck". That's it. She didn't give a darn for the dog.

[seadogg]

Have to go out but will acknowledge all when I get back. Many thanks.

[wolf63]

I read an article years ago about a dog who got grumpy at a certain time each day and it was caused by low blood sugar.

The dog in the article was a GSD and was pacing and guarding all day but only fed once a day - they ended up feeding it over the period of the day and it was then a happy dog.

Maybe worth a try!

[Jemisa]

Isn't E/Enders, Corrie, & Casualty, on between those times? perhaps it objects!

jem

[seadogg]

Worth passing on Wolfie. It is a tiny dog and maybe needs an extra feed. Thanks.

[seadogg]

Like your fox Jem. Have to say you are wrong 'cos her husband watches football with the dogs when she is upstairs watching Corrie lol.

[lankeela]

There is a condition called Toy Breed Hypoglycemia (I posted a link on here the other day for someone else). It occurs when small dogs are not fed regular small meals and their blood sugar level drops. However I would think its more likely that the dog had been 'put to bed' at that time in a crate or shut in another room while the owner went out so is used to a 'siesta' and gets grumpy if disturbed.

[seadogg]

Thanks lankeela, always respect your contributions in this section. For all her kindness I doubt if my friend has heard of this condition and well worth passing on.

My own feeling was that, as an accessory dog, the poor creature was taken out with her at night when she was dead beat and doesn't want anyone near her when she's ready for a sleep. Her life was pretty chaotic too and the woman couldn't say what her regular dog food was.

[wolf63]

I don't like rat sized dogs but they are still dogs (just) and not a fashion accessory.

Lankeela - I mentioned the low blood sugar (I get very grumpy when my levels are low) but I didn't really think that a small dog would be a victim of it. But now I know differently.

It is probably some sort of time related trigger that is setting it off. These little monsters can be quick and give nasty little bites. I hope that it gets a chance to have a normal life.

[welshlibranr]

must have been the most stressful time of the day for the poor little mite!.........probably because the owner entertained during those hours and the poor little thing had the most awful time then!.......so sad!......

[seadogg]

Thanks welsh and to wolfie, I agree about snappy little dogs. I suspect that my friends will find room for it as they have only 6 rescues that cannot be re-homed and it loves its new companions. When we have cared for them they take over and my old chap looks on benignly.

[Eve]

Poor little thing, hope he settles soon. It's difficult with rescue pets, you may never know but if behaviourable then patience, love, consistency and time can overcome a lot. I've always had rescue cats and it is a lovely feeling when you see how far they have come, even if it is only little things but a big thing for them.

One of mine won't go near anyone but me though to me she is the most loving cat, incredibly affectionate - anyone else comes near her she will run. After little bits of gradual light non-threatening exposure to other people over the two and a bit years since I rescued them she let my friend give her a little stroke the other week - a huge thing for her!

The other, her sister, has taken a long time to relax affection wise and she has come a long long way - she's now a near permanent fixture curled up on my sofa/bed by my feet and has even started to try to mimick some of her sister's affectionate ways and is a much happier and affectionate cat.

With rescue cats I don't expect more than I get from them so every step they make is something special.

[shanti7]

ah thats so cruel keeping a dog like that what a shame, luckily she sounds like she has eventually found a loving home. Good luckx

[lankeela]

http://alexadry.hubpa...og-Breed-Hypoglycemia