Adopted dog success stories?

So sorry for my response. You are right. I always started out with a puppy and trained him/her. Just didn't consider you working with an older dog. Thanks for your response.

I love dogs, but the reality is that you train the dog or the dog trains you. So far, guess who's winning?

Many years ago, I took in a rescue dog, from a breeder friend of mine who grew very ill.
She was 8, right at the border of adoptability.
The first few months were tough; she and my other dog fought for dominance, and their weapon of choice was urine.

Long story short: I laid down the law and crated them when I was away. I was very reluctant to do so, but it established my dominance. Peace descended over my domestic kingdom.

Sadly, she only lived two more years. I did my best, but she could never adjust to a new home after 8 years of being Queen Bee at her previous home. She developed mouth tumors; putting her down was my only option. My heart still breaks at the thought. The breeder friend of mine told me not to feel bad, that I'd given the dog two years she would not have had otherwise. Cold comfort, alas.

Anyway, you may need some tough love with your new pet. You're giving him a home, but don't lose yours in the process. Old dogs can learn new tricks -- they might just need more incentive.

Good luck!

Thanks I really appreciate your story. You did give that dog two years of a home and family she never would’ve had otherwise!

@tcokeefe Don't give up! I like the comments above and agree with @muley, @scain and @victoriase. Three years ago, we got a 2-year-old Deer head Chihuahua from a nearby shelter that took in a hoarding case of 14 dogs. Just like kids, the early trauma stays with them. This guy would never be suited to staying overnight by himself, as others could do in the past, so we have great friends who help when travel comes into play. But he has learned to deal with us going out during the day - albeit with some dramatic welcoming us back. LOL. We had barking issues more with being protective when hearing outside noises and recently learned from friends about an "automatic spray bark stopping" collar. Rather than one that zaps (which really freaked out our guy) it emits a citronella scent. It surprises the dog and then calms him, so it breaks that cycle of when the more they bark, the more they want to bark. Both my neighbor and I were shocked with each of our results, so it could be something to keep in mind to try. Either way, I hope that you can keep your routine, so he gets used to it and sees that you always return.

Our current JRT, rescued at 5, loves his crate (aka cage) It's his safe-place but he has no anxiety when we are out for minutes or hours.
Our previous rescue JRT did not tolerate a cage. He did have separation anxiety and I feel I trained him to be alone, bit by bit, starting with a couple of minutes and getting longer and longer. It helped if he had something to keep him busy like a kong with peanut butter. Good luck.

I find that dogs read us far better than we realize. If we feel an iota of guilt for leaving them alone or anything else they don't like, they will play to that. I don't know if that's what's happening in your case. I'm speaking from personal experience. I got my first rescue dog--a Miniature Schnauzer--about 4 years ago. Although I'd had dogs all of my life, I'd always gotten them as pups from reputable breeders. Jasper was a whole new experience for me. The emotions I felt when dealing with him were new to me too. He was in pretty rough shape when I got him, but he had his pride and thought he was a tough guy (or pretended to act that way). Fiercely independent, I quickly learned that everything had to be his idea, including walking on a leash. If he sees a leash anywhere close to me, he runs off and won't let me catch him. Yet, a good friend of mine who cares for him when I'm in the hospital, can walk right up to him with a leash in hand, attach it to his collar, and he doesn't even try to get away from her. With Jasper, it's all in my attitude. I feel sorry for him, he's going to play to that and think he can do whatever he wants. If I approach him with a neutral attitude, intent (but not forceful) on achieving my goal, he seems to understand. With this in mind, have you tried just putting your dog in its crate without allowing yourself to feel guilty about it? You might try crating for a few minutes and leaving the room, then work up to leaving him in the crate when you leave the house. Also, a friend of mine who had a similar problem started putting his dog's crate next to the glass sliding door so he could look outside while crated. He said that helped too. Good luck!

After many years of living without a dog, my husband told me he really wanted one. I said "yes" but with some restrictions. The dog would have to come from our local, no-kill shelter. The shelter has only one paid employee and depends on volunteers for walking the dogs and everything else. I also said I did not want a puppy nor a big dog. I wanted a calm dog. I thought it would take my husband a long time to find such a dog. He found one very quickly. After seeing my husband hold that dog in a sitting position, I stroked the side of his head and said, "Will you be a good dog for us?" I immediately felt his longing for us to take him home. We named him "Simon." Actually, that was the name I selected. Simon was approximately 3 years, weighed 18 pounds, and we were told he was a mix of Basenji and Fox Terrier. He was ill when we brought him home and a trip to the vet's made him well. He eventually weighed 22 pounds and that was just right for him. He was the most wonderful dog! Simon was so loving. A friend of ours who never allows pets in her home asked one Christmas if we brought Simon would he bother her Christmas tree and all of the antique toys under it. I told her he would not. Simon was a hit with everyone that Christmas and all other visits. We always said the Basenji part made him smart and the Fox Terrier, sweet, cute, and loving. We always had Simon's rug and water bowl and many "Itty Bitty" treats. I gave those to a woman who had dogs of her own and she surprised all of us by putting one in her mouth and kneeling to Simon's level and he took it from her, very gently. Simon just loved everyone so much. We were fortunate to have Simon for 10 years, 4 months, and 13 days. I miss him every day, but am older now and we want to travel until we cannot. Best of luck to all who help these dogs who long for a good home. With all good wishes, @joybringer1

hello, I went to Amazon but is this item called Quiet moments calming aid? I did not see calming moments. thank you.

NaturVet Quiet Moments Calming Aid Cat Supplement Plus Melatonin – Helps Reduce Stress in Cats – for Pet Storm Anxiety, Motion Sickness,

This is it

We adopted a 4 year old abandoned dog. The vet said he was basenji and possibly retriever. He is between 45 and 50 pounds and larger than any of our previous dogs. We have had 3 dogs previous to him. He has turned out to be amazing. His personality has turned out to be very different than any of the other dogs too. At first he didn’t really pay attention to us, sort of like “why bother” attitude. Over time he has become a constant companion. He now comes to greet us when we get home. If we are in different rooms he comes in to remind us he is happiest when we are all together. When one of us joins the other in the living room he always gets a toy and plays with it. It’s like “ok, we’re all here now, I can relax”. He is the quietest dog, in 5 years he has never barked in the house. He has his own quiet way of showing contentment and getting his point across. If he wants something he rests his head on a lap. I can say “ show me what you want” and he will do so (usually he goes either to the door to the yard or the cupboards where the treats are). He is the gentlest guy. Great with the grandkids, and actually with anyone who comes in the door. We took a chance on a bigger dog (and one who paced back and forth when we saw him at the shelter) and after a little adjustment time we became one happy family!