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I have a very sweet but skittish foster that literally melts in my arms. A lady came by today planning on adopting him
and he did not react well. He growled (never heard that from him yet) and struggled to get away. I feel sad for her but
I have to honor the dog's feelings. It still isn't easy.
Make sure you're not getting overly attached to the dogs to where you feel you are the only one good enough for the dog or the only one the dog likes. its easy to have it happen ive seen it happen to some friends who wind up with 6 or 8 dogs before they have to stop fostering
No insult taken. Believe me, I am conscious of that possibility. Dogs do sense energy and he fought to get out of her arms every time. I didn't want to write a long story about it but the trainer that works with this group understands his limitations and agrees to look for a good fit for him. When I first got him if he saw a man across the street he would turn and run towards home. He has very contentedly laid in my neighbor's lap and enjoyed a massage and from the first day he was comfortable with me so my guess is he knows who he likes and doesn't like and I respect that. I cannot see forcing a dog to go with someone he does not like just because they have a check to buy him. No one will win in that situation. I do not want a boy dog as a forever dog so no, I do not have plans to keep him.
Dogs have an instinct about people that I trust. I'm glad you listened to your foster dog and didn't force this pairing. Something just isn't right with the potential adopter.
One of my father's hunting dogs had an instant aversion to me from the moment he was brought home, to the point of aggression. He would literally try to attack me through the gate. He was fine with all other people. Because I was no longer living at home and the only person who triggered this reaction, I (and my father) never bothered to address the issue. My father was more amused than concerned, as it was the first time he'd ever seen a dog NOT like me. Years later, I ended up taking care of his hunting dogs for a time when he was ill - this dog still hated me, was snarling and biting at the gate like a lunatic. Three feeding times later and he would let me do whatever I wanted to him, and I was snuggling him like a baby, giving him bellyrubs, you name it.
We believe that he was abused in his original home by someone who had some distinctive features that I shared. Dogs' first impressions are largely meaningless - it's their behavior after continued exposure that matters.
My little mutt is 8 months old and he has very decided likes and dislikes when it comes to other beings, furred and human. He is usually shy with strangers but once in a while he'll meet someone and act as if it is he long lost friend. I'd say the potential adopter was not a good fit and the dog knew it.
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