I adopted a 4 year old collie a little over a week ago. She is very sweet and very calm. A little too calm. She doesn't seem to have any enthusiasm for anything. I have to spell the word W A L K or my other dogs go nuts. My new girl will come with and has learned to heal quit will but seem indifferent about the whole thing. I praise her when she does something right, but she acts like she can take it or leave it. I tried giving her a treat and she spit it out.
I'm not sure if it is a collie thing or a rescued dog thing or just a Roxie thing.
Any thoughts?
2007-05-19 13:35:25 · 6 answers · asked by firsttimothy212 2 in Pets ➔ Dogs
It's part rescued dog, and part Roxie. She's been through a lot in the past week. She may have never had a human to trust in the past. My dog when he first came to me - when you asked him to come he ran over as fast as he could, sat right at my right leg and cowered - you can guess why he was trained to do that. It took weeks for him to realize that come had nothing to do with being beaten. Just give her a chance to relax with you and open up. You will start to see her personality soon. Make sure you do see a vet though - it could be medical. If you changed her food when she came to you etc could all be reasons for feeling under the weather.
2007-05-19 13:44:31 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
Very interesting problem. Not interested/motivated by anything, not even food. Hum, I've never encountered a dog that I could not motivate with some method or another. Only 4 years old, this is not normal behavior, as you already know. There has to be a reason for this behavior and it isn't just because the dog was born with that behavior. That is the challenge, to find the reason and then correct it. My first thought would be that the dog is not socialized, so is just timid about everything which you interpret as a lack of enthusiasm. My only suggestion is to have a behaviorist observe the dog. This should give you answers that will then give you a direction to go for correction. Rereading your question, you've only had the dog a week. Just keep trying to motivate and shield the dog from anything that would cause it fear. One big caution: be careful not to reward any bad behavior. If the dog is showing fear about something do not pick it up and say something like, "it is OK". First, picking a dog up is a reward and then saying "OK" would indicate to the dog that the behavior is "OK".
2007-05-19 20:55:52 · answer #2 · answered by DaveSFV 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
There are a few things that can explain Roxie's behavior. Either she is still getting adjusted in her new home and there for is cautious. She is a passive dog (lucky for you) and takes life in stride and goes along with the flow. Or Roxie may have been abused and under socialized. In any case just keep along with what you're doing and time will tell how she will adjust. And good for you for adopting an adult dog from a rescue, the world could use more saviors like you!!!!
2007-05-19 20:42:08 · answer #3 · answered by Kellie D 2 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Kudos to you for adopting an adult dog. Give Roxie time, she has to establish herself in the pack hierarchy. Once she has gotten accustomed to her new surroundings and her new loving family she will be fine. My guess is within the month she will get just as excited as the rest of the clan at W-A-L-K time. Roxie, what a great name.
2007-05-19 20:57:56 · answer #4 · answered by Patricia L 4 · 1⤊ 0⤋
There is a good chance that the poor dog received very little care, before you rescued her. You need to give her time to trust you and bond with you. She needs a check up with the Veterinarian too and shots. She may be suffering from round worms etc.
2007-05-19 20:40:58 · answer #5 · answered by flieder77 4 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Every Collie I've ever met, were really laid back, and calm dogs. I think it's just a breed temperament.
2007-05-19 20:38:48 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋