Helping an anxious dog take his first steps to a new life
In the summer we took in a young spaniel who had a tail injury. After an initial injury he was chewing at it, exposing the bone and leaving a nasty open wound. We successfully amputated half his tail in an operation.
But his physical health was just a small part of what Churro needed our help for. His anxiety was very high; he was afraid of new places, new people and being alone.
Churro went onto a course of medication which helps anxiety and compulsive behaviours, along with a program of activities to use his clever brain, and ensuring he has toys to use as a comforter.
He was always on the move so it was a little battle to keep his bandages on, especially as he was using nibbling his tail as an anxious learnt behaviour. But in a couple of months, it was all healed and he is better at leaving it alone.
Of course, there is only so much we can do in a kennel environment, but we had a positive start. A few weeks in and he stops pacing the kennel and is laying down for cuddles. As he relaxes and heals, we see a companionable, affectionate, happy dog who loves being outside and in the company of other well-mannered dogs.
Churro meeting a 'mini-me' spaniel puppy at BCDH
We were overjoyed when we matched with an active family who understood about his medical needs and nervousness, and the icing on the cake was a new friend – their current dog Megan.
Their first meet-up was a great success, Megan and Churro were very relaxed with each other, and the adopters were smitten.
Update on Churro – now called Jack
The adopters sent us some lovely updates, and we were very grateful to hear they had worked hard with Jack to help him overcome his anxieties, and with some brilliant successes. They were a perfect match. We caught up with them after 6 months of adoption:
“We were out walking when you phoned - both dogs had a very enjoyable time as the walk covers water, woods, and open fields. Anyway, he is now fast asleep having had his tea. All very bucolic but he’s on my feet and I can’t move! He and Megan seem relaxed together, and Megan has ceased bossing him about.
Firstly, we would say that over the last six months Jack has needed a lot of love, confidence building and paw holding, but Jack is a joy - a warm friendly dog.
Jack no longer uses toys as a comforter, and his store of soft toys and balls have been consigned to the bottom of a cupboard.
Jack is also no longer so obsessed with human food... but we wouldn’t advise turning your back on him when eating a cake! But counter-surfing and hiding whilst we eat has stopped.
When we first adopted Jack, he preferred to sleep under the bed. In the last two weeks he has started to use a basket or sleeps down the side of the bed.
As you may recall, Jack had an issue with separation anxiety. We built up the time he could be left alone via a very protracted process of confidence building, being left for short periods etc. Yesterday he stayed in the house with Megan for four hours without human company. As always, when we are unable to take the dogs with us a neighbour will pop in to ensure all is well. They told us that when he came in Jack was sprawled on the sofa snoring.
His loves crawling around in wooded areas snuffling in rabbit holes, badger setts, and following deer trails. Fortunately, he has good recall and often appears covered in old twigs and vegetation. A good splash in water is another favourite activity. Jack has lost his fear of new spaces, and this means we can vary his walks and provide more stimulation.
As you may recall, Jack has a very luxurious coat. Well, it’s even more luxurious now! Unfortunately, this makes grooming him difficult and as he gets so much of the countryside in his coat whilst out, he needed a haircut. The ladies at the groomers were thrilled with Jack. He showed no symptoms of anxiety or nervousness, was friendly to customers coming into the shop, and greeted other dogs warmly. He was described as a star.
Can we both thank you for introducing us to Jack. He has brought us so much joy, and he is a very loving and well-behaved dog. Megan is a new dog and much happier too."