Ladybug is an example of a kind and obedient dog who was expected to defend her master even though she was not a guard dog at heart. A person did this to her and Gerdy has been trying for 2 years to get her the kind of home she needs—someone knowledgeable about this problem and able to give her leadership and firm, but kind guidance—one who will not want her to look after the humans but humans who will look after her.
She does not need compliant people who let her do what she wants and baby her, she NEEDS people who can take the leadership role and not push her into the Alpha role she does not want—because it SCARES her—she NEEDS assurance it is she who will be looked after, she does not want to be a baby to her people.
She needs an Alpha person who has dog sense and will expect her to follow rules of respectful dogdom. She is about 4 years old, mix of Black Lab/Pointer we think, and about 52 lbs. Spayed, Max 5, Rabies & Bordatella, heartworm tested negative and on Revolution, dewormed, no fleas.
Her first master got her from a humane society in Ontario, and being an older man, promptly taught her to “protect” him on walks and in the home. She’d growl and people would leave him alone. Then he didn’t want her anymore so dumped her in a shelter here in Quebec, where we found her. She is a beautiful dog. We then placed her in a loving home but the person babied her and gave her the impression she too could not look after herself & Ladybug, so she nipped a visitor going into the apartment thinking she was helping defend the new person. She came back to us.
We placed her again to a kind man, who let her run loose in his yard, she figured with no guidance she was to defend his property, so came back AGAIN, after a neighbor trespassing across his yard got nipped. Next was a nice couple, who were so pleased with her but they did not listen to what her needs were, babied her and back she came again, when she nipped the visitor they had coming in on the 2nd day in THAT new home. This happened once AGAIN, strong-appearing and experienced man who disregarded again what we said, she nipped the pantleg of a guy who entered the apartment unannounced and back she came again! 4 times!!
Now ever since she has been at our boarding kennel watching other dogs come in and leave adopted. She is loved at the kennel, and at the same time is asked to be respectful of the rules—which she is. We feel she is ready to try again. So we need a kind, firm, Cesar Milan type who will work with her on simple things that will make HIM/HER Pack Leader and not hand the job over to Ladybug! Like a person who will not allow her to precede them out the door; will step in front and block her when meeting friends while walking her; will make her SIT while they answer the doorbell etc.
In short—a self-confident person who will REALLY work on rehabilitating this very smart & intelligent dog. She cannot be The Dog Who Loved Too Much—and be allowed to dominate people around her master. That is ALL she wants, to be treated like a respected DOG and not a person. Ladybug has dignity. But she is playful and fun-loving. She just needs proper managing and she will bloom as a result. We see her loving heart every day—surely there is SOMEONE with no other pets who could be her respected Guardian Angel. |
