Actually it doesn't apply to just rescue dogs, it applies to any dog that has had a previous owner. Dogs are completely loyal to their owner/pack leader. They can't understand why they can't be with them, even if that owner was cruel to them. So it is not so much wanting to run away from you, but rather they want to run back home. If any of your dogs were separated from you for more then a week, I can almost guarantee you that they will try to get back home again, and so it is with any dog that we adopt.
Tell you a quick story about Princess. The first time I visited Princess at the shelter and they put her down on the floor and she immediately went to the door. Now human logic dictates that she just plain wanted to get out of there. She completely ignored me and the worker, no matter how hard we tried to get her attention, she just stared at the door and a couple of times jumped at it. I sat down and the worker sat next to me and we waited to see if she would show any interaction at all, she didn't. After another 15 minutes of trying to coax her to come for a good scratch, I said to the worker that "I feel so bad for her, but she doesn't like me and I don't think that it would work out, and it is time for me to go home." All of a sudden Princess did a 360 and ran across the room and jumped up onto my lap. She sat facing me, with her paws on each of my shoulders and layed her head on my neck and froze. I think she was waiting to see if I was going to yell at her or pet her. The worker was just as shocked as I was. Of course, beside the fact that she was suppose to be put down, because of leash aggression and not reacting to humans at all for attention, I completely gave in and said if the owner doesn't show up within the next couple of days then I want her. So I signed for her and had to wait it out. I did visit her everyday for several days and brought her a blanket and toy and treats. By the third visit, I actually got a tail wag and knew that it would work out once she was brought back to good health and some good training. Here's the twist on the story. Once I got her home, she did nothing but constantly go to the door and jump at the door, so I am thinking that she probably has a bad stomach and walked her several times, and each time we got back inside she would do the same thing. She never even checked out the rest of the place, like a normal dog would. Next day she went to the Vet and got all her test. She didn't have the runs, but constantly drove me crazy with wanting to go out, this was going on all day and all night. Finally on the 3rd day, she was resting and I was on the phone and was explaining how she was at the shelter and I had used the word 'home' in the conversation. All of a sudden she jumped up and got all excited barking at the door to go out. I made her go to her bed and be quiet and went back on the phone. Again I was talking and that is when I realized what all her fuss was about for 3 days and why she acted the way she did at the shelter and I tested her several times to prove that I was right. She heard me say the word 'home' and thought I was going to take her there, that's why she jumped on my lap like that, and that is why she reacted when I was on the phone. Smart dog, she knew that word, and her loyalty belonged to her previous owner. Eskie's are incredibly loyal dogs. The AE rescues know that they are high risk runaways when they transport them and take extra precautions. AE owners also know that they are very aloof and wary to strangers, and because of this they are one of the most misunderstood breeds in shelters, so I learned later. It took Princess 8 months before she finally settled down and really trusted me and excepted this place as her 'home'. During that time, whenever we were out and I would pull up in the parking lot and start walking to our door, I would use the word 'home' and she finally excepted this as her new home. I know for a fact, that if Princess ever got lost, she would try just as hard to get back 'home' to me now. Just for the record, she has never sat on my lap like that again, nor will she put her paws on my shoulders like that, no matter how many times I have tried. Adopted dogs in general have a lifetime of memories, and it is so silly for us to think that within a couple of weeks or even months to expect any dog to forget their prior life and the people that they loved. We can't forget the people that we have lost during our lives and how much harder it must be for them, who can't explain it. You never know what word you will use in a conversation or to them that has a special meaning to them. They all have somewhat of a vocabulary from their previous owner too. Be patient, the day will come for Tino that if he ever got lost, his new loyalty will be to go home' to you too. -------Original Message------- From: Pam Dean Date: 2/29/2012 6:58:29 PM To: [email protected] Subject: [Chihuahuas] flight risk I have always heard that rescues are a big flight risk and in some way I can understand their confusion. First I was there and now I am here..where do I belong?? Tino is definetely that. We have had to Tino proof every little raised spot or small hole in the fencing as he is determined to make his way out. And he will even try when you are standing there looking at him. I think hubby has hurt feelings about it..like he isn't happy with us or something because he is trying to get out of the fence. Anybody have any ideas as to why they do it..or is it just a case of wanderlust..
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