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Caught a very scared stray dog
Hi all - I need some help! I have been fortunate enough to catch a stray dog who has been living in a drain and eating styrofoam and saran wrap and whatever else to get by. It took a week and a half to catch him. We picked him up to days ago and since we were totally unprepared (b/c we did not expect him to be caught) he did sleep in the garage the first night. We have now relocated him to a room in our home and he is currently hanging out in our other dog's crate (door is open). We have been hanging out with him, talking to him in low voices, etc. He just refuses to come out of the back of the crate. He is not vicious - just very, very scared. He growls when he thinks we are getting to close. I want to be able to socialize this gorgeous boy. He is only about 25lbs! Any advice would be great. He is used to the great outdoors and I am thinking of getting a slip leash so we can take him out... but not even sure how that would work.
Thoughts? Advice? I appreciate all the help!!!
Re: Caught a very scared stray dog
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These are my thoughts too. A few months ago someone on the board took in a puppy and later found out it had rabies.
I guess I'm just confused about what you're trying to do? It either has an owner or it doesn't have an owner. If you think it is someone's pet, you should be trying to find the owner. If you don't think it has an owner, you should *really* get it to the vet before letting it near your dog or yourself.
Personally, I'd shut the door on the kennel and take it to the vet. If you have a fenced back yard, after visiting the vet, I'd likely put the kennel out there, put out some food and water, and open the kennel door. Messing with an unfamiliar and scared dog while it's in a corner and growling at you doens't sound like a very good idea....
When you go in there to hang out with him, bring some sort of yummy treat and lots of it-dog biscuits, cut up hot dogs, turkey lunchmeat, cheese, etc and lightly toss some near him and the crate...this can help him associate you guys with good things.
Is he eating/drinking at all? I'm not sure how big the crate he's in is, but you should probably get him to the vet ASAP to get checked out especially since he's been eating some nonfood items-lord only knows what's going on in the poor guy's belly
Slipping some Rescue Remedy (most pet stores carry it-Petco, PetSmart, etc) in his water will hopefully help him relax enough to get a slip lead on him and get him to the vet, but if the crate he's in is small enough you could try just taking him to the vet in that. Your vet's office may have some other ideas on how to help him settle down and get more comfortable, also. Good luck, and good for you for taking the poor guy in!
ETA: your vet shold also be able to scan him for a microchip.
My first thought is if he was eating Styrofoam and saran wrap he needs to see a vet ASAP. These things could cause a blockage and cause several other severe health problems.