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Irishonly

(3,344 posts)
Sat Dec 31, 2011, 04:53 PM Dec 2011

Has anyone ever had any luck getting a stray to trust them?

There is a stray I have seen a couple of times this month and I suspect he was abandoned as a puppy. He has been out there for over a year. A lot of people called the Humane Society about a year ago but they couldn't catch him. I think he may be one of the smartest dogs I have ever seen. I didn't see him for months and a couple of days ago he popped up again. I call him Curly because of his tail. He looks at me when I talk to him and I got within 10 feet yesterday before he looked scared to death. I backed off and he stayed put. I am keeping food and water outside for him and keep watching for him. I would bring him into our home. There is no way I would take him to the Humane Society because I think he would be destroyed. He really needs to be on a farm where he can roam. I am not sure if he will ever trust any human completely.

Curly is seen all over the area and even a neighboring city. He has puppies everywhere. It breaks my heart when I see him. He is a wonderful dog and the person who put him on the streets has got to be one of the most horrile people on earth. So far I am the only one that can get that close to him. I keep trying but Curly keeps getting thinner and thinner. The Humane Society suggested to a neighbor we set a trap. I don't like the idea and I think Curly would be doggie laughing at us if anyone tried.

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Mac1949

(389 posts)
1. Don't know about dogs, but I've worked with feral cats for a long time.
Sat Dec 31, 2011, 06:16 PM
Dec 2011

It takes quite a while to earn their trust and affection. With one cat, it took me two years of feeding before I was able to get close enough to pet him. Happy to say, though, he is now a contented indoor pet of a couple I know. But it requires patience. Sorry if this isn't much help, but as I said, my experience is limited.

Irishonly

(3,344 posts)
7. Thanks
Sat Dec 31, 2011, 09:31 PM
Dec 2011

I was celebrating that he didn't run away. When my daughter was home for the holidays she was amazed he would look at me when I called his name.

hamsterjill

(15,214 posts)
3. Trap may be the best way
Sat Dec 31, 2011, 06:44 PM
Dec 2011

Trapping Curly in a humane trap may be your best bet, although your assessment that he may be trap savvy may be absolutely correct. Perhaps the Humane Society or some other dog rescue might have access to a canine behavior specialist that may be able to offer sound advice???

Thank you for taking an interest in Curly's wellbeing, and in the interim, please DO look into providing shelter against the elements.

Irishonly

(3,344 posts)
9. I will call them Tuesday
Sat Dec 31, 2011, 09:33 PM
Dec 2011

I will call Monday but I think the office will be closed. I would call it an emergency but if you read my post #6 Curly has left the street and no one has seen him around a couple of blocks. I went looking for him.

Walk away

(9,494 posts)
4. Ideally, he needs to be trapped, brought to a Vet where he can be examined for....
Sat Dec 31, 2011, 07:44 PM
Dec 2011

illness and given his first round of shots and neutered. If you can get him to a groomer or clean and clip him yourself in between the shots and neutering that usually works best. If you can't handle him then have him snipped first.

He's a feral dog not a cat. If you neuter him, feed him and give him a warm bed he's your dog. It shouldn't take long. I have had several adoptions right out of the woods. They all turned out to be couch potatoes.

REACTIVATED IN CT

(2,965 posts)
5. I am with a breed rescue group and was called by a municipal shelter to come get a dog that had
Sat Dec 31, 2011, 08:24 PM
Dec 2011

such a bad attitude that they couldn't put him up for adoption. He had been picked up as a stray and he was so difficult that they couldn't even bathe him. I took him to get neutered, shaved down and bathed and his shots. I crated him most of the time when I took him home. I know he had a home once -- he was housebroken. I ended up adopting him. It took him about 4 months to warm up to me and to seek affection. I suspect he may have been abused since he still is leery of people (he will snap at them if they approach too quickly) . But he accepts all grooming, etc from me and has become quite the lapdog.

I think you should try to catch him and get him to the vet. Are you sure the Humane Society would put him down ? Have you checked with them ?

Irishonly

(3,344 posts)
6. There have been so many calls on this dog I was told a few months ago they would. Overcrowding
Sat Dec 31, 2011, 09:29 PM
Dec 2011

His territory must be at least a ten mile radius. I have seen him close to Claremont. LaVerne and Chino. I have never seen any dog like him. Since I posted I have talked to five other people that have tried to get Curly to trust them and we are going to continue feeding. I can get closest to him and another lady about seven blocks away can get a little close to him so we are going to try to get the traps. Curly has a blanket and a make shift dog house my husband made. He has always had the blanket but since I posted the inventor in the house is working on something to try to get him closer to the house.

Since I posted an unneutered pit bull mix tried to attack him. I didn't even know the dog existed. He came out of no where. He couldn't get Curly but got another dog. Our neighbors got him and their dogs to chase one of those battery operated cars. We don't live on a busy street and although I am not for letting dogs run, it was fun to watch Curly play. I was scamming to try to get him in our fenced yard and BOOM. My husband got the dog off of the little dog.

Curly is no where to be seen but I am still going ahead with the plans. He knows there is food and water and his blanket.

My husband and I have adopted two German Shepherds that were considered unadoptable. It's a lot of work but the end result is wonderful.

I hope this makes some kind of sense. I am still shaking.

avebury

(10,946 posts)
11. I wish you the best of luck in trying to bring Curly
Sat Dec 31, 2011, 10:40 PM
Dec 2011

into your home. If you lived in Arizona I would definitely have recommended that you not contact the Arizona Humane Society. They don't have a very good reputation at this time. Do you know anything about the CA Humane Society and what their adoption versus kill rate is?

Irishonly

(3,344 posts)
13. Our local one is not very good but I think they try.
Sat Dec 31, 2011, 11:48 PM
Dec 2011

Many, many dogs are abandoned in the area. There are several large parks and abandoned animals are found there all of the time. I don't understand how people can do this.

Walk away

(9,494 posts)
15. Good for your husband. That was brave...
Sun Jan 1, 2012, 01:35 AM
Jan 2012

Too bad you don't know anyone with a female in heat. He would probably walk right in your front door for a girl friend.
I wonder how much is fear and how much is just playing the game of not getting caught.

Be careful and good luck.

REACTIVATED IN CT

(2,965 posts)
16. It sounds like there is quite a problem with roaming dogs in your
Sun Jan 1, 2012, 11:03 AM
Jan 2012

neighborhood. I hope you can lure Curly into the fenced yard so that you can better protect him. With your track record with the unadoptable GSDs, I'm sure that Curly would do well in your home.

Curmudgeoness

(18,219 posts)
12. It will take a long time to get this dog to trust you, so
Sat Dec 31, 2011, 10:45 PM
Dec 2011

be ready for a slow-go on it. I have done this with a cat who was always around but would never let anyone close to it. The thing was that this cat was always around and not gone for weeks at a time. I started putting food out every day at the same time, and in no time the cat would be waiting. I put the food far away and then just sat down on my steps. After about a week, I moved the food just a little closer. So while the cat was eating, I was always there, but far enough away that it felt comfortable to eat. I can't say how long it took, but it was a while. I finally got the cat to eat at my feet. After another week, I touched it while it was eating. It got to the point where I could pet it and it finally would come into the house with me. Success!

I don't know if this will work on a dog, especially one as savvy as this one, but it is my best advice to offer.

Irishonly

(3,344 posts)
14. Thank you
Sat Dec 31, 2011, 11:49 PM
Dec 2011

I am going to keep trying. My friends Janyne, Judy and Michael are also trying. I wish Curly knew how many people really care about his welfare.

Irishonly

(3,344 posts)
17. I can't find Curly
Sun Jan 1, 2012, 07:58 PM
Jan 2012

I am hoping he will show up. I took my dogs for a very long walk this morning and we didn't see him. Curly likes Sweetie and even my Rowdy Ranger has gotten used to seeing him. His territory is huge so I am hoping he will be around in a couple of days. We are still going to try to get him.

Before the pit bull charged we were so smug. Our neighbors started to get the control car closer to our house. It was a joy to see him playing but I guess we thought we had something under control that we didn't. The Humane Society is closed tomorrow so first thing Tuesday I am going to see if I can get a trap.

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