CHARLESTON, W.Va. - There is a stray black lab mix dog in my neighborhood. I have been calling her Pepper Jr. because she looks so much like my previous dog named Pepper. Pepper has been in the neighborhood for several months now. She was dumped out of a car sometime this summer at a plaza near my home. She is extremely afraid of humans yet she follows me on my entire walk but not getting within 3 feet of me. I have been feeding her twice a day for some time now, also providing her with treats and fresh water. Now she is sleeping on my front porch chair. I would love to take care of her but I have tried a lot of things to get her close to me.
Today it is raining and she was on the porch but in the daytime. If she sees a threat she runs off. I can't stand knowing she is getting so wet and concerned when the colder weather approaches.
Do you have any suggestions of how I can get Pepper to trust me enough to let me pet her? I would like to get her to a vet because I know she needs shots, etc.
Your help would be greatly appreciated.
I am obviously a huge animal lover also but I think you need to look at this situation from a different perspective.
Wild, scared dogs can be a huge undertaking for any person. Sometimes they never become tame no matter how much we want them to be.
Tameness comes from being handled and touched. Think of wild horses or feral cats. They stay wild until you can break them and socialize them in a controlled situation.
Pepper Jr. is not letting you do anything to get close to her. And I know you are trying. Food and walking in her neighborhood are just not helping.
Think of her life. I know you are doing all you can to make her comfortable and safe by feeding her and providing her shelter.
It sounds like she wants to trust you but is unable. I am sure her past experiences have made her the dog she is today.
As we approach winter she needs to be in a warmer environment.
I doubt you will be able to get her into a garage or doghouse or outbuilding, although you could try if it were possible.
CHARLESTON, W.Va. - There is a stray black lab mix dog in my neighborhood. I have been calling her Pepper Jr. because she looks so much like my previous dog named Pepper. Pepper has been in the neighborhood for several months now. She was dumped out of a car sometime this summer at a plaza near my home. She is extremely afraid of humans yet she follows me on my entire walk but not getting within 3 feet of me. I have been feeding her twice a day for some time now, also providing her with treats and fresh water. Now she is sleeping on my front porch chair. I would love to take care of her but I have tried a lot of things to get her close to me.Today it is raining and she was on the porch but in the daytime. If she sees a threat she runs off. I can't stand knowing she is getting so wet and concerned when the colder weather approaches.
Do you have any suggestions of how I can get Pepper to trust me enough to let me pet her? I would like to get her to a vet because I know she needs shots, etc.
Your help would be greatly appreciated.
I am obviously a huge animal lover also but I think you need to look at this situation from a different perspective.
Wild, scared dogs can be a huge undertaking for any person. Sometimes they never become tame no matter how much we want them to be.
Tameness comes from being handled and touched. Think of wild horses or feral cats. They stay wild until you can break them and socialize them in a controlled situation.
Pepper Jr. is not letting you do anything to get close to her. And I know you are trying. Food and walking in her neighborhood are just not helping.
Think of her life. I know you are doing all you can to make her comfortable and safe by feeding her and providing her shelter.
It sounds like she wants to trust you but is unable. I am sure her past experiences have made her the dog she is today.
As we approach winter she needs to be in a warmer environment.
I doubt you will be able to get her into a garage or doghouse or outbuilding, although you could try if it were possible.
Additionally, she is unvaccinated and in contact with other wild animals and could possibly be a risk to you or your family.
This is a truly sad situation and entirely not her fault.
As difficult as this is, I worry about her health and her safety as well as yours. I would suggest you try to get her to a no kill shelter or to the humane society.
In a shelter situation they could start to socialize her in a controlled situation and take their time with her. There, she would be out of the cold, wet weather and safe from cars and other animals. She could start to learn to trust people more.
She is unable to do any of those things now because she is so afraid and free to run. I am so sorry, but I have to be an advocate for her best interest.
Lastly, at the humane society, she will be safe from the elements and well cared for also. They do try to place animals and show extra attention to special needs pets.
Remember, one of the goals of a humane society is to get animals off the streets and keep them safe and warm.
Although we think of the humane society as a sad place, sometimes they really do act to protect animals from suffering. I don't know that she is suffering now but I think the possibility is very real as we head into winter.
I also have concerns about your suffering and worrying about her if she continues living this chosen lifestyle.
I wish you luck in this hard decision. Try to think of her best interest if you can and know that maybe some day down the road you will find her again. But this time she would be a better adjusted and happy dog that you cared enough to save.
Good luck.
Send questions for Dr. Allison Dascoli to "Ask the Vet," Charleston Daily Mail, 1001 Virginia St. E., Charleston WV 25301 or e-mail them to askthe...@dailymail.com. Comments or suggestions can be submitted the same way.
