Question About Dog Behavior–I Found Him As A Lost Pet or Stray?
September 4, 2009 by Admin
Filed under User Questions
Hello all, I need some help from the real dog experts out there; as I am nowhere near one!
The story is, we found this dog about a week ago wandering the streets; he appears to be someone’s pet. He immediately came over to us when we called him. He wasn’t wearing a collar but was very clean and very well groomed, nails clipped and he’s also neutered. After posting fliers/ads, we’ve unfortunately had no luck in finding the owner and pretty soon, will have to take him to a shelter. It’s hard trying to figure this one out but I’d like to be able to have some information so that he can be matched to the right owner. I’m not sure if he was abused or not, but he’s very timid and almost cowers when you approach him. He doesn’t interact with my children or anyone else for that matter, he follows me around the house ALL DAY (EVERY move I make) and stares at me all day. He CONSTANTLY wants attention, held, etc. Are these the signs of an abused or pampered dog? Your opinions please!
Just to add a few more details, he also cowers around other dogs. I would say this one is a Chihuahua/Terrier mix; my friend has a Lhasa Apso no bigger than he is, and he doesn’t play or interact with him. He runs under either my legs or my friend’s legs!
Ok, the thing of it is, I really would LOVE to keep him, but he just wants too much attention…really! He’s not an “independent” dog, he just wants me to pick him up and hold him all day! I believe he needs to be with someone who can devote the time to him (which I cannot), but I was afraid that he might have been abused…
If you own a Chow Chow or if you’re thinking about getting one, then this may be the most important letter you’ll ever read…
Take him to the vet and see if he has a micro chip. And let the local vet offices know you found him too. people check vet offices for lost pets as well.
He may have been abused if he cowers when you approach him. Why can’t you keep the little guy? sounds like he really likes you
It sure doesn’t sound like he was abused or treated badly: cringing doesn’t necessarily mean that a dog was hit, just that they’re naturally submissive. Have you called the local animal shelters? They usually have a lost/found book and the owner may have called them looking for their dog. You might also see about placing ads in your local newspaper: sometimes lost/found ads are free. If you can avoid taking him to the animal shelter, please do so: even though he’s neutered there is still a good chance that he’ll be put to sleep. If no owner steps forward, why not try placing a “free to good home” ad in your local paper? Just be cautious who he goes to. Good luck!
Following you around the house all day is a sign that he sees you as his leader. If he is good with the kids why not see about keeping him… he obviously likes you a lot and as far as the cowering goes with time he will learn that you all mean him no harm.
I had a dog that I adopted from a shelter and he was apparently abused by his previous owner. The agency told us that as soon as they would reach their hand out to pet him on his head or near his face he would shut his eyes so tight and try to get out of the way. It took us awhile to get him used to just being pet. He also kept to himself a lot until he got used to us.
It’s really tough to tell without actually seeing the dog. All of those signs could be signs of abuse, but they could also just be signs of a very submissive dog who is trying to please you.
Considering that he had his nails clipped, he is neutered, and that he follows you around, I am leaning towards the idea that he is submissive and just wants some love.
I hope you find the owner! Sounds like a very timid dog that not too many people would do well with, however. I wonder how his separation anxiety is….
He may have been abused. That is how one will act. However since it is likely part chihuahua, it could also be nervous, scared of a new situation, missing its family, etc. Chihuahuas are very attached to their owners and when thrown into a new environment can be quite confused and unhappy, and will act much like an abused dog. Wanting attention sure sounds like a chihuahua. Before trying to place him in a new home, I would try to get him used to you first. Gain his trust. Socialize him with other people and animals if you can. Good luck. Chihuahuas are wonderful, loving dogs. If he takes after them then he will make someone a wonderful pet.
You are absolutely correct, you do have to get him scanned for a microchip at the vet or at a shelter and everything before you try to keep him, but anyways, he’s just got a soft temperament. My female Malinois from rescue is the same way. Very velcro dog and she follows me all over the house, probably before she came to me, she was always a kennel dog.
He could just be confused and insecure from being away from his family or he may never have been around other dogs or children. It does sound like he is used to lots of attention.
Dogs react in different ways when they are separated from their owners.
Take him to a nearby vet to have him scanned for a microchip. It is free.
My local shelter has a board where you can post found pets.
Most newspapers have a free section to list found pets. You may have already done this.
If he was that well cared for, someone is missing him.
Did you post fliers in local vet offices and stores?
A local rescue group may be better than a shelter as they keep them in foster homes until they find a home. Shelters are so busy at this time of year. They often don’t have the time to devote to the dog. He could end up being put down.
go to petfinder.com to find ones in your area.
Thanks for taking him in and trying to find the owner!
I would say his behavior is due to being lost from an owner he dearly loves and wants to be returned to. As the person feeding him, prehaps the only person who has shown him any kindness since he became lost… he sees you as his only hope of getting home again.
Have you tried calling the shelter to see if anyone has come to them looking for their small dog
You could try an ad in the local newspaper. Also post with all local vets….
Otherwise, sounds like he likes you so give him a home if his can’t be found….
The cowering has little or nothing to do with abuse… he simply is a fearful, insecure dog.
You can set limits you know. You do not have to do what the dog wants…
Check craigslist to see if someone has listed him. Have him scanned for a microchip. He is most likely someone’s beloved pet.
In the Seattle area there has been a rash of small dog thefts lately… hope that isn’t what happened to this little guy before he got lucky and found you.
Some dogs can be naturally wary of strangers. It could go either way with that situation. Some of the more obvious signs of abuse are dogs that exhibit really strange behavior around humans when they’re about to be touched which can include howling or crying, laying on the ground and rolling over, urinating while in a submissive position and things like that. And who knows what may have happened while he was wandering the streets. I would say that he’s just naturally wary of strangers and a one-person dog. Some dogs can just bond with one person in the family. It sounds like he’s used to attention and being held all the time I bet. He sounds small so I bet he was carried a lot – so being on the ground with ‘other dogs’ may not have happened so much. I would place my money on a ‘pampered pooch’!