Rescued Rufus

[juner]

Hello everyone, some ofyou probably remember Rufus the Shih Tzu I rescued that had come from a puppy farm and had been a stud dog for five years and treated very badly. I had to train him to walk on the lead and he was terrified of nearly everything, people, children, moving traffic and especially men. I said that I would update you on his progress.
Well he is doing very well although it is slow going. I have had him for nearly six months and the progress is, he now walks very nicely on the lead, he is fully house trained, he now feels pretty confident indoors. I can now groom him all over except his face which he will let me do but only with a soft brush which isn't enough really. He isn't too bad at the Groomers although she plays safe and puts a muzzle on him.
Outside is another story. He has to stop when cars go by, he will now pass pedestrians slowly and warily, but children he is very frightened of and takes a little longer to go by them.
He is very good with other dogs once my other dog gives them the once over and he knows that they are safe. He has just started to get onto my lap and also my close friends' laps. So I feel that I have made a good headway with him. He loves me to stroke and cuddle him and now returns the affection. There is just one thing that I would like him to do and that is take food from my hand. At the moment treats have to be put on the floor and he will not take any food at all directly from my hand not even if he really really likes it. If I can just get him to that will feel that I have been truly successful with him and that he completely trusts me.

[daisya]

Oh how wonderful the progress you have made with him and him with you. What patience you have and how kind you are to take Rufus on, poor little soul. I'm sure given time things will improve even more, down to him taking food from you, he just needs to trust you implicitly and you will win him over all the way. I really applaud you for what you've done and to know that dear little doggy is now loved and shown it, it must have made his life better than he could have imagined. Well done and thanks for relating the story.

[x-ray]

Well done. Glad to hear Rufus is progressing nicely

[pastafreak]

It sounds as if Rufus is really doing well with you-I'm sure he'll take food from you at some point-he just needs to feel fully relaxed.
My rescue lurcher was a bit like Rufus-at 2 years,she'd never been in a home environment,seen other dogs much,wasn't house trained,never had played with toys. She still takes 'new' food out of her dish,and into the hall so she can check it out...lol
She's made amazing progress.....you'll get there too in the end-good luck.;-)

[flump1]

Bless his little heart juner and how lucky he is that you have adopted him. I hope you have many happy years together and when Rufus is more confident he may well take food from your hand. Keep trying, xx

[Precious67]

What a lovely story. I am so glad he is making such progress and I am sure he will come on leaps and bounds now that he knows he is truly loved.

[juner]

Thank you all for your kind comments and wishes. I am sure Rufus would thank you if he could (at the moment he is under my armchair sleeping). It makes it all worth the effort especially when people are interested in these matters. Thanks again to you all. Will let you know if and when Rufus eats from my hand.

[lankeela]

Well done, you seem to have done wonders with him.

[jules77]

Nice to hear such a lovely story, well done you.

[ladybirder]

Very rewarding for both of you.

[Messalina]

Well done all your hard work - both of you! I'm sure you'll eventually make that final break through & I hope it's sooner rather than later. In the mean time it sounds as if he's turned into a happy little dog.

[THEMOTLEY1]

Rufus seems to have 'landed on his paws' with you juner, great progress, well done.

[Lillymoon]

You have done wonders with Rufus, well done.

Give him time to take treats from your hand....he may be one of those dogs that just won't. It doesn't matter to him if its on the floor, its still a treat to him.

If it very important to you that he does take from your hand....wait until he's super hungry, or have another dog around taking treats from you. Maybe he just might. Good luck.

[Baldric]

Only just seen post, seems like you've made great progress, well done.