New dog
I have a new dog, kind of. With issues...



My step father, Loren, has a sister who's 85ish and going senile. She's been living in another state with a mean husband, two cats and a dog. This year we have been working to get her a divorce and move her out to Oregon with us so that we could help her out. We found her a house just a block away. Someone took her cats, and she wanted her dog to come with her. We didn't know much about it. She had a hard time remembering its name, let alone its breed. One day its an elkhound, the next it's a collie. We didn't know what to expect.

Loren and her (rachel) took a plane down here, and two of lorens sons agreed to drive her car and the dog down. We didn't feel comfortable flying the dog and thought this was best. On the way there they called and said she was doing ok, but was depressed and hadn't eaten. Understandable. We didn't realize the extent of it.

We got a call saying the dog, Callie, had bitten one of the sons. Apparently they tried pulling her out of the back seat by her collar and it slipped and she took off running near a busy street. She was so scared that she hid under the car. When the son tried to pull her out by her legs she turned around and gave him a good nip. Thankfully he kept on pulling and get her back in the car and off the street. I can only imagine the fear running through that poor dogs mind. I get tearing thinking about it.

So anyways they finally got here last night. They pulled into the garage and rachel was so excited to see her dog. Callie was crouching in the back seat and wouldn't get out. When she finally did, if someone as much as looked at her she flopped on her side in submission. She just shook. Thankfully she recognized Rachel after a bit and clung to her.

I thought once with Rachel she'd calm down a bit, and I realize its only been one day, but I've never seen anything like this.

Callie is the most timid, submissive dog I have ever met. She just gets as flat to the ground as she can and quivers. I thought maybe being being calm and assertive would help... let her know that there is a pack leader and she doesn't have to worry.. but if I so much as stand up she freaks. She is too scared to eat treats I give her. She doesn't know what to do with balls or toys.

The kicker, and what made me actually sit down and cry, was when I was trying to calm her nerves she rolled on her belly and peed herself. Twice. I mean, I thought I knew a lot about dogs and dog behavior. I've read so many books and worked with so many dogs but never anything like this. I move so slow, keep a clam voice, dont look at her in the eye, pet her chest not her head... *sigh*

Her fear, I believe, goes well beyond the car incident. I feel she's been abused.

Rachel is unable to care for Callie properly. My mother and I need to bond with this dog to walk it and care for it. I dont know if Callie can do this. I dont know if I can do this. If you know of any good books on submissive/timid dogs, or have advice, I am all ears.

Thank you, -Jesse

P.S. Rachel is convinced that Callie is a Blue Heeler mix. Now, I ask you, does this look like a heeler? No. Id dare say she's pure border collie. Maybe mixed with collie? She's got such a thin face and legs.