Rescue Tails / Listening to Jock

“If only they could talk”, we say wistfully about our four-legged companions. But the truth is, they CAN talk and ARE talking all the time! We just need  to listen and if we would learn to understand and respond appropriately to their language/signals, our animals would be much happier, more secure, and better behaved. Jock was a perfect example of the value of listening.

Jock started telling us how he felt from the moment he showed up at the shelter one night after hours. A staff member was leaving late  when she walked past the drop-off pen and heard growling. Upon checking, she found a small  gray terrier crouched and shaking in the back of the large kennel.

 Not wanting to increase his fear, she got some hot dogs and sat down with her back to him, since even a glance in his direction would trigger a fearful reaction.  She began tossing tiny pieces into his space, hoping to build some trust, but his fear was too great and he couldn’t eat.  It looked like it was going to be a long night with lots of patience.  Within a short time, a car pulled up and  a woman approached carrying a crate. Inside was another scared little terrier.  She said the dogs had been left with her by the owner and she didn’t  want them. Her timing was perfect because when Jock saw her and his little friend, he wagged and immediately came to them, obviously relieved to have friends and allies on the scene.  She helped get both dogs inside and into a kennel where they huddled together for safety.

The dogs were kept together initially to help them adjust to the shelter environment. But sometimes in order to have any positive effect, separating dogs is more helpful to give them the benefit of one-on-one time.  Jock turned out to be a little braver of the two but it was weeks before we could touch him and then his trust was limited to only a few people. His body language would let us know when he felt safe or when we were asking too much of him. By “listening” to him, respecting his boundaries, and not pushing for more contact than he was comfortable with, he became bolder and more approachable.  Invitation, not coercion is the pathway to trust. Eventually we were able to test him for heartworms , and much to our frustration and disappointment, the test came back positive. This is certainly not something you want to hear about any dog, but especially not one who is already afraid of being handled!

His treatment was begun and he handled it surprisingly well, in spite of his fear. During this time, volunteers sat with him but he was always wary  and took time to allow anyone he didn’t know to be close. During his treatment, we found a foster-to-adopt home for him with a kind woman who had a quiet house,  no other animals, and who was home most of the time. We felt his recovery would benefit from a calm home as opposed to a noisy kennel. He only lasted a few days. From what we were told, he spent most of the time frantically trying to escape the house and yard. In his panic, he became destructive and had to be returned.  He was telling us with as loud a voice as he could that he was having a hard time dealing with his new situation, and for whatever reason, wasn’t happy.

Back at the shelter, his small size and cute face were appealing to many, but he was  scared and unwillingly to engage with anyone he met, no matter how nice they were.   Instead, he would run to the other side of the room, avoid looking at them, and wait nervously  for someone he knew to rescue him.  Again, he was telling us and it was up to us to listen to him. To force a dog to interact when they are saying NO to an interaction is not only disrespectful and unkind, it can also be dangerous. When dogs tell us that they are uncomfortable with a fearful stance or a growl and we then ignore or punish those signals, we leave them with no other option but to speak with a louder voice. That’s when bites happen.

One day, someone named Sharon came to meet him and we saw something very different in Jock. He again told us how he was feeling, but this time, he said “Yes” to meeting her.  Instead of moving away from Sharon, he moved toward her. He CHOSE to engage with her!  He willingly allowed her to pick him up and relaxed in her arms. His body language seemed to be  saying “I have found my person!”  Jock clearly communicated his wishes and there was no denying that this was who he wanted to be with. His wish was granted and he went home with her. Sharon has reported  that, while still timid in his new surroundings, he follows her everywhere. And with each picture and video of him she shares, we can see Jock “telling” us that he is now one very happy little boy!

Dogs are communicating to us AND each other all the time! Learning to understand canine body language is the ultimate act of kindness and respect and should be the goal of anyone who lives or interacts with these amazing animals. It’s the least we can do for  the animals we call our best friends!

(Check out Youtube for videos on the topic or call the shelter’s behavior department  (305) 294-4857 for more information.)