Some people expect too much too soon when they home an adopted dog. It takes time, patience and understanding – especially as most Spanish hunting dogs have suffered maltreatment in their previous lives. Many galgos are adopted abroad, which means the following allowances have to be made as it could be weeks or months before the dog really settles –
1. the dog may have been a street dog surviving for weeks or months
2. it may not have experienced any kind humans
3. it may not know how to live in an enclosed space such as a house
4. it may not have been walked on a lead
5. it could very well be used to living with other dogs
6. it could have left behind friends, a particular mate
7. it’s had a long journey in vans and planes
8. it’s a strange country with different weather and language.
Below is the story of a poor little dog – not a galgo – who was the victim of just such misunderstanding.
This is Marcus. His owner contacted me to ask the writer (on facebook) to rehome him, because….‘He barks at other dogs and people when out so needs rehoming ’.
Marcus is a 2 year old patterdale x Labrador. He had been owned by said owner for… 5 weeks. He’s just settling in, learning his new environment and family, and at only 2 years old he will be rather overwhelmed as well as adjusting to everything new.
Barking is how dogs communicate, and express their fears, and also excitement. When his owner was asked what training she had been doing with Marcus to help him overcome his possible nervous behaviour, the answer was ‘he’s had none’.
It was explained to her that room would need to be found for him.
2.5 hours later the vet called, Marcus had been taken to the vets to be EUTHANISED. Put to sleep. To end his life, because his owner could not be bothered to put any time or training into him.
THANKFULLY, the vets refused. They spoke to their behaviourist while they were there, and offered the owner sessions to help Marcus- the owner declined.
Killing him was the easy way to end her problem.
So, of course, with fear the owner would then just go to another vet and put him to sleep- room in a foster home was found. She didn’t really have room butshe was not having him put to sleep.
She says ‘Marcus has been with us less than half an hour.
He has sat, taken a treat very gently.
Has met 6 dogs- enjoyed a sniff and his tail hasn’t stopped wagging
He hasn’t barked yet.
Too many people are getting pets without any consideration to the time they need to adjust, and expecting them to be ‘perfect companions’ without actually putting anything into them.
Take some responsibility and invest the time into them, you chose them to be part of your family. Stop destroying them just because you cannot be bothered to help them.
It’s not their fault.
You are safe Marcus, and loved.
You will never be treated so badly again, and that I can promise.’