Extreme separation anxiety and dog aggression were only a couple of Sandy's issues when her third and final family took her home in April of 2015. Although it has been a long, rough road, Sandy's family loves her more and more every single day. Her story reminds us that miracles don't come easy, but with enough work, dreams always do come true.
My boyfriend and I adopted Sandy (Siberian Husky/German Shepard mix) last April, making us her third and forever home. When we first adopted her, she had severe separation anxiety and was extremely dog aggressive. At first, we had cracked windows and torn up flooring from her trying to escape when we were gone. We tried caging, but soon found out she was too strong physically and mentally to be contained. After she rammed the metal door of one cage down, we made a makeshift wooden frame with a baby gate as the door. After she chewed through the baby gate, we made a rod iron barred door, which she pushed open and squeezed under. Finally we decided she would have to be loose for the few hours between Brad leaving for work and myself returning home.Unsure of how to deal with her anxiety, we contacted Ted Aranda for some guidance. After one visit, we had the tools to combat Sandy's anxiety. After working with her for a few months, and making sure she stays at Brad's spacious home rather than my small apartment, she's able to be by herself for hours on end, no potty mistakes, no destroyed flooring, windows, or furniture, and no loud whining and barking upon our departing. Yay!The dog aggressiveness became a problem when we would try to walk Sandy. Many people leave their dogs loose in their yards, which sent us running the opposite direction every time we saw a dog. We also had to avoid other dogs passing on the sidewalk. Slowly but surely, we started to warm Sandy up to the idea that other dogs were OK and actually fun to have around. Brad's mom has a miniature long haired dachshund, Penny, that is full grown, but still small enough to not be too intimidating. At first we let them be in the same room, Sandy leashed and Penny held. When Sandy was calm with that, we let them get comfortable sniffing. We're fearful to let Sandy totally loose around Penny, as she is full grown, very playful, and the same sex, so we decided to try a less threatening puppy approach. Ditka, our friend's 3 mo. old French bulldog, is Sandy's new best friend and roommate! Sandy's hair stood on end encountering Ditka at first, but she's become comfortable and taken on a motherly role, now cuddling and playing with no problem!Sandy is now the calmest, most cuddly and obedient dog I've ever been blessed with. Although tough waters arose at first, Brad and I are so glad we stuck it out and gave Sandy the attention, training, time and love she needed to revive her spirits.Thank you, Lenawee Humane Society, for blessing us with our dog daughter, or DOGghter as we call her!
