HI...I really feel for you and your dog. I adopted my beagle / shar pei mix from kind of a shady rescue place (did not know it at the time). They told me she was rescued from a hoarding situation in a trailer with 30 other dogs. She was by far the smallest (35 Lbs.). They lied and told me she was potty trained (NOT) and loved to hike (has severe arthritis in her back legs) and loved people. HA. She was one big ball of anxiety. The first time I took her to a park, she would not get out of the car. I talked to a rehab vet who referred me to a Dr. Camille Ward out of Ann Arbor, Michigan. She immediately put Molly on prozac. She explained that I needed to work with her on creating nothing but positive experiences in her everyday life. Then we gradually reduced her meds until she was off them. While she is not 100% she is much better.
But, she is who she is. She will be forever wary of strangers, but with us she is a great little dog. I think the biggest take away from learning about her was consistency. She is much better with a consistent routine. She still has some food aggression (I have 3 cats) but if I time her food correctly it seems to help. Don't give up !! I know it can be both heartbreaking and frustrating. Sometimes when we go to the park, we just sit in the back of the car with the hatch up and she people / dog watches. Good luck!!
But, she is who she is. She will be forever wary of strangers, but with us she is a great little dog. I think the biggest take away from learning about her was consistency. She is much better with a consistent routine. She still has some food aggression (I have 3 cats) but if I time her food correctly it seems to help. Don't give up !! I know it can be both heartbreaking and frustrating. Sometimes when we go to the park, we just sit in the back of the car with the hatch up and she people / dog watches. Good luck!!
