My Damaged Dog

As you may know by reading my profile, I have a soft spot for rescued animals. This is the story of my most neurotic rescue. My dog Zoey, a Great Dane, is the most recent rescue and my most challenging. When I first saw her, it was love at first sight. She was trembling, tail between her legs, terrified look on her face, 30 pounds underweight, and generally a wreck. When talking to her foster mom I found out that she had been through 4 homes, including her foster home twice, in her first year of life. The previous owners had beaten her leaving scars both seen and unseen, starved her (the rescue got her at 50 pounds underweight), and had done no obedience training at all. I knew she needed a good loving home and just had to adopt her. So, on a Saturday morning around Thanksgiving in 2017 I brought home my new neurotic baby. We spent a month potty training, 3 months teaching her that if she pulled on the leash nothing bad would happen (when I got her if she accidentally pulled on the leash she would run to my side trembling), and 2 years dealing with inappropriate chewing. Almost 3 years later she is still a bit neurotic but has improved in many respects. She no longer thinks something bad will happen if she pulls on the leash, she is potty trained, and she no longer breaks down when a man gets close to her. Small victories for other dogs but huge victories for her. Although she is still terrified of obedience training and will often run away from treats before coming toward them, she has made great progress. I have learned from Zoey as much as she has learned from me. Through her I have learned the power of kindness, the frustration of patience, the joy of small victories, and the art of being aware of hand movements.

I rarely use her as a demonstration dog with training because of the abuse she has suffered at such a young age has damaged her beyond repair in some respects. On occasion she does come with me for dogs dealing with aggression, she is so big but gentle with other dogs. She does not mind being barked at while they get used to approaching her. Healing is a long road and we are in it for the long haul.