With that, let me spin a yarn ...
This is Zee ...
I got him (along with his pal Riley) waay back in March 2012 as foster dogs for/from Underdog Rescue of Florida - Zee and Riley were confiscated from a hoarder in the Orlando area and were considered unadoptable due to extreme fearfulness and lack of trust in all things human. Basically Zee was as close to feral as I'd ever seen - Riley, for all his distrust was still at least social to some degree. But not Zee, He'd have been just fine running the streets/woods without ever interacting with another human for the rest of his life. But, that was not an option - so my "job" was to attempt to "train" him to be something society would recognize as a domesticated dog.
This was a loooong, hard, mind blistering task. You see, Zee is smart. He's an escape artist. I can't tell you how many times I was gripped with fear and worry after he'd figured out yet another great escape ... but he always came back (and so you don't worry where this story is going - he's here and he's safe and fine). But like any wild distrustful animal, although he might coexist in the same space as humans he kept his distance from them (me). While every other dog I had would sit in bed with me ... Zee was more comfortable UNDER my bed - safe, close but separate.
I could go on at great length (as if I haven't prattled on enough already, right?) as to all the trials and tribulations Zee and I went through over 2.5 yrs "together" ... and my former roommate,and my girlfriend could collaborate and write a 3 volume book series titled "Mind Boggling Frustration and Annoyance at the paws of one small dog named Zee". I think Lenny would have bought and cooked me steak dinners for a month if I would have sent this damn dog back to the rescue. But like a dumb ass I persevered since I had made the commitment.
Now - ask any dog trainer how they train a dog and they'll tell you - positive reinforcement with food/treats. Everyone will tell you this and what most people would rightly take as an absolute fact. And what dog WON'T accept food?!? Well ...
Zee
For 2.5 years - Zee would not take even the most salivating offerings of food from my hand ... for at least a year or more, he wouldn't even take the food in the SAME ROOM as a human. Slowly I built the trust to the point were I could set food on his paw but I still had to step back before he'd consume it.
Well, that changed last night - with the exception of ONE single solitary time in 2.5 years - Zee FINALLY and regularly, took food out of my hand (after first inspecting a piece unattached to a human) ... it was slow roasted chicken. After his inspection and consumption of the first bit laid on his paw, all the rest, he reached out and took directly from my hand AND Linda's hand too!!!
Zee is now a domesticated dog
But he still barks his fool head off semi randomly GRRR
Zee & Riley
This is Zee and Riley - Riley has always been more accepting of human contact ... but as you can see from his round body - food is his kryptonite
Epilogue - My GF and I permanently adopted these two a few months ago - although they've made HUGE strides to becoming like "regular dogs" we felt any change regarding the humans in their lives would be a major blow to their confidence and trust and they would regress and potentially run away or worse. Problem solved - they're staying. <3
"He's an escape artist."
ReplyDeleteHmmm. 'Got a few of those myself, but of the reptilian sort. Imagine a girl going into her underwear drawer and finding a 4 foot Royal python takin' a snooze. True story. LMAO
I believe ya :) although I can't say I ever came across a critter with an underwear fetish but it certainly doesn't surprise me. The reaction must have been (from an objective, after the fact knowing everyone is safe viewpoint) fairly amusing. I know I kind of laugh at myself when I was surprised by a family of rats that took up residence under a dresser in my house. I didn't know I was capable of squealing like a 6 yr old girl - not your first choice for a "picture of manliness" ... none the less it spooked the crap out of me. Not that I "fear" rats, just one doesn't expect them where they're not expected.
ReplyDeleteAll that said, I was fairly resigned to the fact that my dog Zee would never behave like a "normal" dog, so to me it is just such a monumental moment. Looking back to what he was (both of them really) when I got him and reviewing all the frustration and difficulties trying to find methods that would convey trust to him ... well, his progress was about as slow as evolution - one doesn't "see" it happening until - surprise - it actually happened! We still have a ways to go, but he's light years away from where he once was ... all the trials and heartache that brought us to this point almost bring a tear to my eye when reflected upon.