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Gabbs Dogs Update #1

From Steve Markwell, Executive Director:

I thought it might be interesting for our supporters if I wrote weekly updates about the Gabbs dogs' rehabilitation, since we're dealing with five animals that never had human contact before they went to Reno a few weeks ago, and these five were the least social of the 149 from the Gabbs hoarding incident.

The dogs have settled into my apartment, which is usually a new dog's first stop at Olympic Animal Sanctuary. In addition to the living room, which has been stripped and made reasonably 'dog-proof', I've provided them with a small room where they can hide when they're not feeling especially confident. I also use this room for short, social interactions between myself and the dogs, since they can't run from me in there and have no choice but to accept a few gentle touches. I keep these sessions very short -- usually around thirty seconds, several times a day.

Abel and Dixie have both approached me and initiated contact with me on multiple occasions, especially when i bring Clyde, Charlie, and Lupe into the apartment to play. Dixie is especially interested in Lupe, and Abel likes the boys.

Itsy and Tippy remain shy, but they are gradually letting their guards down. Tippy is willing to be in close proximity to me as long as I don't try to touch her. Itsy keeps her distance except in the little room.

Herbie still thinks he needs to protect the other dogs from me, so he tries to stay between them and me, and always looks me right in the eye. I generally ignore him, because despite all of his bluffing, he is the most afraid. This affirms what I've frequently said about 'alpha dogs' -- the overly dominant behavior they display is typically a result of their proportionally greater fear of humans, other dogs, etc. Herbie is coming closer and closer every day, though.

The plan for now is to continue to get the dogs familiar with me without pushing them too hard; one thing that I will be changing, however, is the amount of space they have. My living room turns out to be a little too big for these guys; I need to have them more confined to take away their option of running away from me. I have ordered some kennels and special floor panels that should arrive in a few days. The dogs will stay in the kennels and undergo a slightly more intense socialization program, which will consist largely of me lying down in the kennels with them and watching TV. Then, as they lose their fear of me over the next few weeks, they can come out, learn to walk on a leash, and start going outside. I don't expect it to be easy, but I have no doubt that the Gabbs dogs will learn to love people and will continue to enjoy their new home at Olympic Animal Sanctuary.

Additional news: Abel has now been vaccinated (he was the only dog they were never able to successfully give a shot), but we still don't know whether or not Dixie is pregnant. If she is, it should become obvious within the next week or two. She looks pregnant to me, but sometime a dog can have a false pregnancy that's pretty convincing.

Check back next week for another update.

Posted on February 29, 2008