From: toolan@scivax.stsci.edu
Subject: Re: Help with Golden Retriever
Organization: Space Telescope Science Institute
Distribution: usa,na
Date: Tue, 6 Oct 1992 19:35:28 GMT

In article <1992Oct5.205942.15748@unislc.uucp>, miket@unislc.uucp (Michael 
Thompson) writes:
 
> Four weeks ago my family got a beautiful neutered male golden retriever
> from a local rescue.  The dog is wonderfully friendly and gentle but I
> suspect he was knocked around, likely by a male, prior to coming to us.

	From our experience with one of our greyhounds, you're probably
	right.  Topaz was absolutely terrified of my husband, especially if
	he wore a baseball-type hat.  That she's been abused is completely
	obvious--physically, she's scarred from her head to her tail.

> I say this because he would cower whenever I would reach up to pet him 
> or come near him with a leash.  Over the past few weeks he seems to have
> realized we are not going to hit him so we don't see too much of this any 
> more.  However, he is still very submissive and timid. Is this submissive
> behavior indicative of a dog who has been abused or is this somewhat the
> nature of the breed?  

	It takes quite a while to gain the trust of a once-abused dog.  We've
	had Topaz for 11 months, and we think she's finally turned the corner
	and begun to leave her terror behind.  She also is very submissive
	and timid.  Loud noises put her flat down in the greyhound "crouch,"
	and sudden movement will have her fleeing full speed.  I don't believe
	submission and timidity are typical of goldens.

> Also, what can be done to help this dog get over
> being so scared, besides of course lots of TLC?

	Patience, gentleness, love and socialization are needed to help him
	over his fear.  The first three must be constant, the fourth on a 
	regular basis.  The dog will first learn to trust you, his new family,
	and then be more trusting of the world in general.  Even after all this
	time, Topaz is still somewhat wary of my husband, but not at all of
	my son or myself.  We take both dogs frequently to GPA booths at local
	fairs, festivals and dog shows.  This serves the dual purpose of 
	keeping them socialized and of making them ambassadors of their breed--
	so people can meet greyhounds face to face, see how beautiful, calm and 
	gentle they are, and can become aware of their plight.  Initially, 
	Topaz hid behind me and shook in terror; I used hold her between my 
	legs as I sat in order to calm her and "present" people to her.  She's
	come a long way, though.  At the last GPA booth, along with Amber, she 
	was marching right up to people with tail wags and kisses.  The GPA 
	folks could hardly believe she was the same dog!

	However, although there's been tremendous improvement, I don't know
	if Topaz will ever totally overcome her abuse.  While inherently very
	friendly, she is extremely skittish, and most greyhounds just aren't
	skittish.  Amber, her cohort, is just as laid back as they come.
	For example, pots have (accidentally) been dropped on the kitchen 
	floor with Amber and Topaz sleeping nearby.  All that rated was a flick
	of Amber's ear, while Topaz fled at full speed for the "safety" of the 
	bedroom.  Amber will sleep in my son's bedroom (don't ask me how!)
	while he's practicing his sax.  Topaz will flee downstairs just about
	trying to stuff her paws in her ears (not that I blame her!)
	
> I apologize if these are questions covered in the FAQ, I am new to the
> group.  Any help will be greatly appreciated.
> 
	Good luck with your new dog!
> 
> Mike Thompson
> unislc!miket
> miket@unislc.slc.unisys.com
> 
		*	*	*	*	*
				*
	Sharon Toolan		*	My opinions are my own;
	toolan@stsci.edu	*	no one else would want them!
				*
		*	*	*	*	*

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