Difficulties in rescue and dog behavior

So, Angel is back. She was returned to us because she was "skittish and fearful". Skittish and fearful? Really? That is not a description of the dog Angel that I remember. I am of course concerned as to what experiences she has had to transform this truly confident and happy dog into something quite sad. I have visited several times. I have known Mr. Evans to be a kind and thoughtful man who treats pets as members of the family. Each time she has greeted me in usual Angel fashion, lots of exuberance, bouncing and energy and a clear recollection of who I am. I am greeted as a BFF in doggy language. I never saw any sign that her personality was deteriorating. This dog is full of energy and life, always ready for fun and love. You know, MY kind of dog.

Monkey could not be more opposite of this description. She is sweet, would rather cuddle than play and is needy. She almost never bounces. In hindsight I would say I placed the wrong dog in the right house. Whenever I left Mr.Evans home after a check in, Angel tried to come with me, in fact she often had to be restrained. Today Monkey couldn't be bothered for a good bye hug. It appeared she knew she was home (finally!) and had no desire to return. I think Angel may have been too much dog for the man. Monkey is perfect for someone older like Mr. Evans seeking a companion. This man is stable, honest and kind. The Angel returned to me is the Angel I left with him. As far as I can tell she hasn't suffered during her tenure in his home. He is more than deserving of a compatible companion. In all honesty I believe that Monkey has found her forever home. We will know for certain the Saturday after next. We are giving Monkey and Mr. Evans a trial run.

As far as Angel goes I still don't know what he meant by "skittish and fearful" but I plan to keep her here for a period of evaluation to see if there is in fact a temperament issue. I also plan to put her through an 8 week basic obedience class. Girlfriend needs some manners in the worst way.

I believe a new home away from here is the very best thing for Monkey. Monkey and Hulda couldn't be allowed to play together because Hulda was just too much for poor little Monkey. Monkey is around 35% smaller than either Hulda or Angel and low on self-esteem (since day one). Hulda used this to her advantage and often, she really just wanted to play but in true Alpha fashion she played to win. She never attacked Monkey she just played so hard that in the end Monkey spent most of her time trying to avoid Hulda. Each play period Hulda sent an unmistakeable message to Monkey, I'm Alpha you're the Omega. This was clearly unacceptable and made living with Monkey very hard as I could never let them both inside or outside at the same time. If Monkey were in a pack she would be an Omega, the low man on the totem pole subject to constant aggression from every member of the pack. Omegas are some of the unhappiest members of a wolf pack and often strike off on their own to start a new pack.

As a result of her ultra submissive behavior she spent time either in her crate or alone in the backyard (her favorite by far). I crated her as little as possible when I was at home but the honest truth is that Monkey was probably quite lonely out there. She has been available for adoption for well over a year, I have spent well over $500.00 in newspaper ads, created her own website and enlisted the help of Bluedog rescue. Monkey was treated less than fairly here but she was well fed, received full veterinary care, had a roof over her head and spent as much time as we could loving her. It is the latter that she did receive but not in overwhelming amounts. The constant separation meant balancing the time between them. This was a real problem for me. The reason for this is that Hulda is my priority. Period. I didn't go out of my way to find a special dog like Hulda just so I could keep her crated or left out in the backyard. Hulda got the lions share of our time and as unfortunate as that was for Monkey I will not apologize for it. Monkey got some time everyday to maintain her human socialization and psychological well being. The only other choices would be to allow Hulda to make her 'I'm dominant' point over and over again or severly curtail the amount of time Hulda spends with us. This would confuse and depress her and I simply will not put her always happy personality at jeopardy.

Before you get the idea that Hulda is some sort of dominance nightmare remember this is pack behavior. Hulda's treatment of Monkey is second nature, if Monkey had come to us with a little more self-esteem things may have gone differently. Hulda would never dream of treating me in the same manner she treats Monkey. I have been obedience training her since she was 16 weeks old, my position as Super Alpha (dog and trainer, not simply dog and owner) is secure and unquestioned. Hulda considers me and Tom members of her pack however our rank supercedes that of simpla Alpha male and female. One of the differences between the domesticated dog and the wolf is that the wolf is constantly testing the human owner for dominance and will directly challenge their human owners for the rank of Alpha. Hulda is by no means a bad dog, she is just a dog, a pack animal behaving as pack animals do with subordinates.

Hulda will soon be competing in AKC sanctioned obedience trials,. She stands a good chance of being a high scoring dog a testament to her intelligence and train ability. I brought up the issue of Alpha and Omega members of a dog pack to explain Monkey's dilemma while here and to discuss the difference between Monkey and Angel. Angel is neither an Alpha or an Omega, if she were a member of a wolf pack she would probably be a Beta. Hulda is taller which gives her a small pyschological edge in pack speak and displays dominant posturing (without overt aggression). She took every opportunity to hump Monkey (when she thought she could get away with it) as a reminder of her status. The interaction between Hulda and Angel is entirely different. They remember each other which is a plus. All they needed was to reestablish who is who. What looks like play is infact in fact a series of bluffs, rank is more about attitude and personality. Outright fighting is rare. Think of these bluffs as the difference between assertiveness and aggressiveness. Hulda and Angel share similar amounts of exhuberance and energy but where Angel is a bit of a spaz who is all over the place Hulda's actions are more calculated. She simply cannot permit another Alpha in her 'territory'. After just a little bit of exhuberant 'play' Angel displayed characteristic active submissive behavior; crouching low, muzzle pointed up combined with constant licking of Hulda's mouth. This behavior mimics the behavior of pups prompting adult wolves to regurgitate partially digested meat. Angel was telling Hulda 'you're the boss'. It is a mixture of groveling and begging which differs from passive submission which does not mimic another behavior (food begging). Once the proper protocol has been observed both dogs go back to behaving like complete idiots as if nothing at all has happened. Hierarchy established both dogs can now play and romp as they please. It this romping fun after establishing hierarchy that makes me think that Angel is a Beta. She has never displayed signs of overt dominance over anything whereas Hulda exerts (well, she tries) her dominance over the cat (who walks off with a 'yeah, right' sort of air about him). Passive submission is more severe. In passive submission the dog rolls onto it's back leaving it defenseless to an attack. Monkey displayed both kinds of submission, I believe, in the hopes that Hulda would accept the gesture and let her be. Oh, well.

I believe she has found a home she can be happy in and it makes me glad. Good luck Monkey and Mr. Evans! Be seeing you Saturday for the first check on progress. You are lucky to have such a wonderful new owner!