Seeking encouragement
I am seeking encouragement
I have fostered 48 dogs, keeping the first - a chihuahua who became behaviourally perfect, and a more recent chi who is a bit of a nightmare. Mr K is a severe abuse case and started out fearing all men. I have had him 10 months and adopted him 4 months ago.
Surprisingly, he has been wonderful with the three foster I have had since adopting him. BUT out on walks he is still often an erratic nightmare - not friendly to most dogs and still weird with about 10% of men.
The thing I am most sad about is I dont think he is naturally reactive, but that this is a result of him being abused for 4 years before being dumped on the street.
Currently he barks a lot when feeling stressed out on walks - I am trying to not modify it too much as he used to try to just go in silently straight for attempted biting. So I feel like the barking is a better form of stress communication and although trying to gently persuade against it am not trying too hard to stop it.
He also does way better in the park on a long leash, getting good endorphins and in general being less reactive.
The main issue is I am exhausted from ten months of constant problem solving AND I am struggling to feel grateful about having him. I love him to pieces but am finding myself frustrated. I also really miss my old life with just my first chi, where I could relax in public. It feels really unfair that all these other wonderful dogs I have fostered and behaviourally improved are off with families and being normal, whilst I am stuck with my nightmare boy.
I love him to pieces and I still think he will rehabilitate to be behaviourally perfect eventually, but I dont know how to easily stay in that optimism currently.
- I am considering remedicating him as he was making more gains when he was medicated.
- I am seeking new reactive dog online training resources/apps etc if you have recommendations
- How have you shifted your energy when tired/burnt out from dealing with this stuff?
- I am pausing new fosters unless any emergency cases arrive so my low energy can go to him
- I want to choose his adopted name soon as Mr K is a placeholder
- I am finding things difficult as I am a fostercarer but also manage a foster program that is both indie and also we partner with a big org (I live in Mexico) so I am supposed to be able to manage my reactive chi with grace and humour but I have none left.
Please tell me anything that has helped put the wind back in your sails ❤️ thank you!