[QUOTE=Romany;8157770]
And, bicoastal - what do you mean by a “dud”? I would never call a dog a dud, if by that you mean he’s useless, no good, a reject, etc. I do think his temperament may be better suited to a quieter household. That does not make him a dud. He’s scared, and over-faced, and lost, but not a dud.[/QUOTE]
I didn’t think about my word choice heavily. Since you asked, I guess I’ll use Webster’s definition: dud: something that does not do what it is supposed to do : something that is a complete failure. I hope you aren’t offended. I would totally call a dog a dud because certain types flop with me. A Basset Hound, for me, is a dog that “does not do what it is supposed to do” and would be a “complete failure” at competitive agility :lol:.
Your second description of him sounds more compassionate. The first, well, it sounded like you disliked him and didn’t expect him to come around to your liking.
Adding original post ;):
[QUOTE=Romany;8156910]This is long, sorry! But I really need some wise input if you have any ideas.
So, We’ve been browsing the classifieds and the pounds for a Pekingese for a while, as we’ve had Pekes before and I love that personality - bright, cheery, brave, independent, lordly.
I recently saw one advertised locally - 18mo, healthy, male, so I contacted the sellers, and we chatted: they’re looking for a new home because he was the runt of the oops litter, and dad still fights with him. :rolleyes: I figured that we could deal with that, and if I got him we’d get him neutered anyway. We have two other very agreeable dogs, and one easy-going cat. We live on a farm, shady snufflesome big fenced yard…doggie heaven.
They brought him out to our farm today, and we chatted for a while in the back yard. He just sat at her feet, or followed her around. They seemed to think I would be an ok home, so they’ve left him here “on trial,” to see how things go.
I’ve never met such a timid dog.
He’s a bit scared of our bigger resident dog, but big dog is really sweet, and gives him lots of space. Little resident dog gave up right away and retired to her favourite spot, the kitchen chair. Cat said hallo, and wandered off.
Pekingese sat curled in a ball in the long grass in the shade until the sun came round, then moved a little as he was too hot, and I brought him inside, where he curled up on the floor in a corner. Didn’t sleep, just watched me go about the kitchen for a few hours. Did. Not. Move.
At doggie supper time I put (carried) him back outside and fed the other two (greedy gobblers), and he mooched around the garden with little enthusiasm, watched the horses fart around for a bit, then decided to try and escape, but the garden is well fenced, so he gave up and cried, much to the dismay of our other two happy dogs.
I fed him on his own, and he cleaned his dish politely. Now he’s just sitting there, looking glum again, avoiding us.
If I talk to him he looks stunned, and cowers if I approach, which is awful. He’s obviously used to being scooped up, and braces himself. He’s pretty taught in my arms, and his tail has disappeared altogether.
We’ll see how he settles, but I’m afraid I’ve known dogs with this type of behaviour before, one in particular, and he just never came round. That one is utterly antisocial, scared of people, and avoids company of any kind, human or canine. Our dogs think he’s weird and totally ignore him, which is kinda odd. It’s as if he’s aspergers/autistic (I’m not an MD or a vet, but that’s been our general layman conclusion).
But back to the scaredy Pekingese…any thoughts, suggestions on how I might cheer him up, or at least engage him to get his trust? I know it’s pretty soon to see a change, but we’ve always had rescued dogs, and they’ve always responded at least slightly positively to a kind voice and a gentle touch as soon as thy’ve got home. I feel so sorry for him, poor wee thing.
I tried to tease his story out of the owners when they were here…was he ever playful, friendly with other dogs, etc, as even my initial observations of his behaviour had me wondering a bit…they said doubtfully that he probably wasn’t as playful as his siblings, but they just put that down to him being the smallest…I’d say they were fairly standard clueless city dog owners…probably not mean, just omg clueless. My guess is he was tormented by his siblings, then his dad, and was never encouraged (allowed, perhaps?) to explore his little world at that important formative age.
Thoughts? Ideas?[/QUOTE]
