Anyone Know Who Could Foster A Stray, Fearful Dog?

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stoppingby

New Member
Hello to everone, I'm new to this forum. I'm not a MD resident, only here temporarily and so I thought I'd ask if anyone could guide me as to who I could contact about asking if someone could foster a stray, fearful dog if we can capture him. That's the problem - capturing him. But I'd like to have a good plan established ahead of time.

But if at a time in the future that it's successful, we'd like to have it pre-arranged for someone to take him. I alread have two small dogs and am not in a stable environment to take another pet especially one that is going to need someone around all the time in order to re-hab him to be comfortable with people.

The location is Aquasco area. The dog has been at this particular location since about June/July of '09. He has no collar. IMO he looks like an Australian Cattle Dog with a mix of Jack Russell. He will take food but won't let you attempt to capture him. He is very smart and observant of everything that moves, even a leaf blowing across the ground will catch his attention. Doesn't miss a thing. I've had some loop leashes strategically placed in my hand and he knows something is up and being successful doing that doesn't look promising.

Animal control had brought a cage and even with the door tied back for a period time, he never went in. Seems to not like enclosed places at all.

About four weeks ago is when I began feeding him. I've been able to pet him but he only allows it with my left hand as long as he's taking a bite of food from my right hand. Then he walks off several feet and waits for me to offer the next bite of food. He won't sit aside me to eat, prefers to eat when nobody is there but my rule is that he must come to me to eat. I won't just leave the food. I've built some trust with him because I had him eating out of my hand in about four days. But he keeps backing off and sits and stares at me when I'm not offering food.

I'm at wits end and I will be leaving this area very soon to go to another State. There is a person that is in close proximity of this dog so he'll be fed everyday. She is going to begin asking around as to who knows anyone that might be able to foster him if and when he's caught. She is taking it day by day with him but as far as capturing him, she's not able to get him either. Also, there is a possible donation of a doghouse but we don't know if he'd want to go inside it or not. Not even sure if that's going to happen.

He's a smart dog or else he couldn't have made it this far like he has. I had just found out recently that he was still around so I'm really pushing to help him now.

I wish I knew someone that is experienced in capturing a stray dog because my attempts aren't working whatsoever. I know it takes time and patience but he really needs to get to where he belongs - a real home that's warm and loving.

Any help would be appreciated greatly.

(I forgot to add that yes, he'd be checked for a microchip immediately, if captured.)
 
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S

stoppingby

New Member
Someone reminded me that fearful dogs are just not good for business if one wants people to return in the future for another of their ‘products’. And being that a fearful dog can take a very long time to rehab, I was told it was doubtful that many rescue groups around here would be interested in finding a foster home. Groups themselves are so in need for more foster homes for the dogs (primarily cuties) that have the better chance of being adopted. Their advise was to search for particular rescues that do deal with these type of fearful, shy dogs and aren't in it primarily as a business.
 
cattitude

cattitude

My Sweetest Boy
stoppingby said:
Someone reminded me that fearful dogs are just not good for business if one wants people to return in the future for another of their ‘products’. And being that a fearful dog can take a very long time to rehab, I was told it was doubtful that many rescue groups around here would be interested in finding a foster home. Groups themselves are so in need for more foster homes for the dogs (primarily cuties) that have the better chance of being adopted. Their advise was to search for particular rescues that do deal with these type of fearful, shy dogs and aren't in it primarily as a business.
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What?

Rescues (reputable) are not in it "primarily a business."
 
S

stoppingby

New Member
After so many months the day arrived, finally. He was captured!

Fearful? Nah!!! He didn't like the leash at first but within a few times of using it, no problem now! No problem at all!! He has no food agression. One of the other dogs grabbed a piece of his food and he didn't let it faze him. He knows there's more where that came from. Everybody from day one said that he is so smart. Many guys were constantly making unsolicited comments and repeatedly voicing about how smart he is. He gets along with cats (doesn't bother them) and dogs and he's just the perfect dog. He goes outside to do his business and then is ready to come back in to his warm environment and lay on a rug at your feet. He acclimates so well and so fast. He's just having to get to know everything that is in his new environment now. He loves to ride in the vehicle too. He's so gentle natured. He got to go into PetCo last night and while I was swiping my card the cashier said, "He's a smart dog!" I asked why and he told me that he trying to go behind the counter to lay down on the soft floor mat!! He behaved just fantastically in there and everywhere he goes!! Everybody is estatic that he's not fearful as he was before we caught him. I can't see him having any issues. Everybody is happy that he's out of the elements now and getting lots of love and rest. Now he doesn't have to be on alert all the time for noises and other animals in the outside environment. He looks so very relaxed and the tail is often nothing but a waggin' blur it moves so fast!!!
 
U

URVIRGO

:)
stoppingby said:
After so many months the day arrived, finally. He was captured!

Fearful? Nah!!! He didn't like the leash at first but within a few times of using it, no problem now! No problem at all!! He has no food agression. One of the other dogs grabbed a piece of his food and he didn't let it faze him. He knows there's more where that came from. Everybody from day one said that he is so smart. Many guys were constantly making unsolicited comments and repeatedly voicing about how smart he is. He gets along with cats (doesn't bother them) and dogs and he's just the perfect dog. He goes outside to do his business and then is ready to come back in to his warm environment and lay on a rug at your feet. He acclimates so well and so fast. He's just having to get to know everything that is in his new environment now. He loves to ride in the vehicle too. He's so gentle natured. He got to go into PetCo last night and while I was swiping my card the cashier said, "He's a smart dog!" I asked why and he told me that he trying to go behind the counter to lay down on the soft floor mat!! He behaved just fantastically in there and everywhere he goes!! Everybody is estatic that he's not fearful as he was before we caught him. I can't see him having any issues. Everybody is happy that he's out of the elements now and getting lots of love and rest. Now he doesn't have to be on alert all the time for noises and other animals in the outside environment. He looks so very relaxed and the tail is often nothing but a waggin' blur it moves so fast!!!
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:dance:
 
S

stoppingby

New Member
And for me, I can exhale! I was spending almost an hour with him daily after work for about the past 6 weeks since I recently realized he was still around after the first time I saw him back in August) building trust with McDonald's Burgers, Alpo, hot dogs, french fries, cookies, along with what other people were tossing to him. Then I'd drive there at least one day on the weekend (38ish miles one way) and sometimes on both weekend days. Hmmm, not mentioning all the trips to PetSmart to get the right collar(s) and leash(es) to be a magic wand to capture him (not!); food and treats; my fuel costs in a diesel-guzzling truck; wind and snow and cold ground; borrowing a cage 2X from AC; buying tarps and staw; so many trips here and there constantly. He was quite costly! But that last 1-1/2 hours of wait time was well worth it!!!!!

Now it's a transition of a mixture of people food and dog food!!!
 
S

shiki

Guest
stoppingby said:
And for me, I can exhale! I was spending almost an hour with him daily after work for about the past 6 weeks since I recently realized he was still around after the first time I saw him back in August) building trust with McDonald's Burgers, Alpo, hot dogs, french fries, cookies, along with what other people were tossing to him. Then I'd drive there at least one day on the weekend (38ish miles one way) and sometimes on both weekend days. Hmmm, not mentioning all the trips to PetSmart to get the right collar(s) and leash(es) to be a magic wand to capture him (not!); food and treats; my fuel costs in a diesel-guzzling truck; wind and snow and cold ground; borrowing a cage 2X from AC; buying tarps and staw; so many trips here and there constantly. He was quite costly! But that last 1-1/2 hours of wait time was well worth it!!!!!

Now it's a transition of a mixture of people food and dog food!!!
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Awesome story. I think he's very lucky that he found you!
 
S

stoppingby

New Member
I guess I can say he's still available if someone is interested. The vet visits are all taken care of already and I wouldn't ask for any recompense for that. One of my dogs is about 13 months, small at 8lbs and he's a Chi/Pug mix. He really wants to play with this one, licks his face, stands on hind legs to reach up to him but Oliver (the rescue) doesn't appear interested at this point and I don't know if he will be. My other smaller Chi at 5 lbs could care less, so far. Oliver really doesn't pay them any attention. I've seen him open his mouth a couple of times as if he's going to play but then I see him eventually turn around. He'll tolerate the other's playing, doesn't get mad, but eventually will walk away disinterestd it seems. Oliver seemed to like one of my friends large dogs but she didn't show interest. I think he needs a good friend. There used to be a dog in that area that he always played with. He might still be getting accustomed to a new environment and maybe from being neutered but I'd really like for him to be at a home that has a fenced yard so he can have more outside time. He's hasn't shown a lot of interest in any toys either. He's been on his own for so many months chasing deer and other critters that I wonder if he's missing that excitement he had before. He was so used to the outdoors all the time for the past six months I'd say. It's amazing how the leash doessn't bother him and I see no real issues. I really do think he's a mild-natured guy. I'm not sure how to post photos on this site because I'd read where you have to resize it or something.
 
frequentflier

frequentflier

happy to be living
stoppingby said:
I guess I can say he's still available if someone is interested. The vet visits are all taken care of already and I wouldn't ask for any recompense for that. One of my dogs is about 13 months, small at 8lbs and he's a Chi/Pug mix. He really wants to play with this one, licks his face, stands on hind legs to reach up to him but Oliver (the rescue) doesn't appear interested at this point and I don't know if he will be. My other smaller Chi at 5 lbs could care less, so far. Oliver really doesn't pay them any attention. I've seen him open his mouth a couple of times as if he's going to play but then I see him eventually turn around. He'll tolerate the other's playing, doesn't get mad, but eventually will walk away disinterestd it seems. Oliver seemed to like one of my friends large dogs but she didn't show interest. I think he needs a good friend. There used to be a dog in that area that he always played with. He might still be getting accustomed to a new environment and maybe from being neutered but I'd really like for him to be at a home that has a fenced yard so he can have more outside time. He's hasn't shown a lot of interest in any toys either. He's been on his own for so many months chasing deer and other critters that I wonder if he's missing that excitement he had before. He was so used to the outdoors all the time for the past six months I'd say. It's amazing how the leash doessn't bother him and I see no real issues. I really do think he's a mild-natured guy. I'm not sure how to post photos on this site because I'd read where you have to resize it or something.
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Some of the rescues will *courtesy post* animals on petfinder.com and might let you bring him to adoptions to meet people.
 
S

stoppingby

New Member
That's a thought but I'll leaving here next week. I really hoped that someone would respond with interest that a meet-up could be made sooner. As most foster parents are with their pets, I'm really particular about where this guy would go. I don't mean that to distasteful but I'd have to be assured that all would be well for him, home visit and lots of discussion. He's really special because of his gentle nature and I've invested so much time to capture him that I really want his environment to be the best possible (as all wish for, of course). He's special.

I just found out the place I'm heading to has a dog run and he'll have an area to play. There's several people there that have dogs so it might not be difficult to have someone visit and take him for extra walks when I'm away. That's a relief so if he goes with me I know he has a play area instead of us having to find a dog park if one even exists. They're few and far between. It would be fantastic if he'd start playing with this one Chi that's trying to befriend him.
 
frequentflier

frequentflier

happy to be living
stoppingby said:
That's a thought but I'll leaving here next week. I really hoped that someone would respond with interest that a meet-up could be made sooner. As most foster parents are with their pets, I'm really particular about where this guy would go. I don't mean that to distasteful but I'd have to be assured that all would be well for him, home visit and lots of discussion. He's really special because of his gentle nature and I've invested so much time to capture him that I really want his environment to be the best possible (as all wish for, of course). He's special.

I just found out the place I'm heading to has a dog run and he'll have an area to play. There's several people there that have dogs so it might not be difficult to have someone visit and take him for extra walks when I'm away. That's a relief so if he goes with me I know he has a play area instead of us having to find a dog park if one even exists. They're few and far between. It would be fantastic if he'd start playing with this one Chi that's trying to befriend him.
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Give him time...sounds like he's in good hands :huggy:
 
S

stoppingby

New Member
We're going to take a little trip today and maybe we'll go to the dog park (he and I alone) and go into the bigger dog pen and see if that brightens his day and I can see how he is in another environment like that. He might perk up. Maybe he's a little down from the neutering yet. He's so good, he comes to me but doesn't jump up on me or, so docile, so good-natured (so far). I don't know if he's content or bored! (lol) Maybe he likes being out there chasing deer better! I'm clueless as to what toy might interest him. I guess things like that are foreign to him. He's a got medium-size Kong but payed it no attention. // He always looked to me before as a source of food so maybe he's having to make the transition from that uncontrolled environment to this one. He's doing pretty good with the mixture of moist dog food mixed with Innova to transfer from the people food he was accostomed to. He still likes to check my hands and I know he's interested if there's going to be people food like before.
 
S

stoppingby

New Member
He mainly enjoyed sniffing around at the dog park and really enjoyed the small area of some trees and bushes. Guess it felt like home to him. He didn't display much interest in the other dogs but wasn't aggressive toward them either.

Today he wants to visit the Spot Store to have a chat with the lady that arranged his neutering. Hmmm, this fearful dog (?) wants to have a chat...uh oh...watch out!!
 
frequentflier

frequentflier

happy to be living
stoppingby said:
He mainly enjoyed sniffing around at the dog park and really enjoyed the small area of some trees and bushes. Guess it felt like home to him. He didn't display much interest in the other dogs but wasn't aggressive toward them either.

Today he wants to visit the Spot Store to have a chat with the lady that arranged his neutering. Hmmm, this fearful dog (?) wants to have a chat...uh oh...watch out!!
Click to expand...

Ellen and Mary will be thrilled to meet him!
 
luvscats

luvscats

New Member
stoppingby said:
Today he wants to visit the Spot Store to have a chat with the lady that arranged his neutering. Hmmm, this fearful dog (?) wants to have a chat...uh oh...watch out!!
Click to expand...

what a delightful, caring person you are. you've done such a wonderful thing in sticking with trying to catch this furchild, being patient with him, vetting him, giving him such a happy second chance. Thank you ever so much for doing all you've done.
 
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