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Hello:
I would love some advice from anyone with experience adopting rescues. My husband and I just adopted a 7 month old male Wheaten Terrier, Griffin, from a local rescue a little over a week and a half ago. His previous family was loving, but did not have the time to train him since they had young children.
We have been taking Griffin for 1-2 walks a day, enrolled and attended our first obedience class, and practiced training with him. We have him on a predictable schedule. We've also tried to engage him in games like frisbee. My husband and I have been gentle but firm with Griffin in enforcing rules around the house and telling him "no" when he playbites us, gets into something he shouldn't be, or otherwise misbehaves. Griffin tries to challenge us frequently, often repeatedly after he is corrected. He is definitely a more dominant personality.
Here's the situation: we've heard that Wheatens are friendly, playful, and devoted dogs. However, Griffin mostly ignores us. He will often sit in the same room, but if we attempt to pet him, he will typically get up and move a few feet away. He does not want to play with us, despite the fact that prior to his arrival we know he was incredibly energetic and playful.
I understand this may be part of an adjustment period, his disliking our rules, or possibly a result of his adolescent age, but I'm concerned that his mood has changed so dramatically. Obviously, we want to do everything we can to help Griffin take to us and become part of our "pack." Is this normal? Anyone have any similar experiences? Is it possible that he may never be interested in bonding with us? Any suggestions or thoughts are welcome and appreciated. Thanks for your time.
I would love some advice from anyone with experience adopting rescues. My husband and I just adopted a 7 month old male Wheaten Terrier, Griffin, from a local rescue a little over a week and a half ago. His previous family was loving, but did not have the time to train him since they had young children.
We have been taking Griffin for 1-2 walks a day, enrolled and attended our first obedience class, and practiced training with him. We have him on a predictable schedule. We've also tried to engage him in games like frisbee. My husband and I have been gentle but firm with Griffin in enforcing rules around the house and telling him "no" when he playbites us, gets into something he shouldn't be, or otherwise misbehaves. Griffin tries to challenge us frequently, often repeatedly after he is corrected. He is definitely a more dominant personality.
Here's the situation: we've heard that Wheatens are friendly, playful, and devoted dogs. However, Griffin mostly ignores us. He will often sit in the same room, but if we attempt to pet him, he will typically get up and move a few feet away. He does not want to play with us, despite the fact that prior to his arrival we know he was incredibly energetic and playful.
I understand this may be part of an adjustment period, his disliking our rules, or possibly a result of his adolescent age, but I'm concerned that his mood has changed so dramatically. Obviously, we want to do everything we can to help Griffin take to us and become part of our "pack." Is this normal? Anyone have any similar experiences? Is it possible that he may never be interested in bonding with us? Any suggestions or thoughts are welcome and appreciated. Thanks for your time.