how do imported dogs usually act - Page 2

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When I got Xita last June she was just turned 3 years old. At the airport, she was quiet and calm in the crate. When I approached to let her out, I started out by turning sideways to her and talking, but she neither seemed pleased to meet me nor worried about my presence. I let her out and leashed her up and took her for a walk and she ignored me completely. I walked her around and took her to some grass and she just watched the environment--neither pleased to see me nor avoiding me. She seemed to pretend I wasn't there. She didn't pee, though.

On the way home, I had to stop at Petsmart to pick up some supplies and because it was 90 degrees out, I took her in the store. She was interested and neutral at everything she saw. Although, when I turned down the toy aisle, I swear her eyes got really big and she was surprised that there were that many toys all in once place!

She was neutral to all the dogs she saw until a beagle turned the corner of the aisle and showed up 3 feet from her face--she sounded off at that, but I just called her back, she calmed immediately and sat when asked. I didn't try to pet her or reach for her and didn't let anyone in the store pet her either -- I didn't know how she'd react and didn't want to test her in a new situation.

By that evening, she would come to me to be petted. She'd obviously been in a house before, with house rules, and wouldn't put her feet up on me or on the furniture. She didn't eat much that night or the next morning, but by the next night, ate hungrily--she was also 4 weeks pregnant, so that may have affected her appetite.

I kept her with me, crated in my bedroom or in the room where I was working, for the next 3 days. By the end of the weekend, she was definitely bonded to me and starting to listen. No expectations, no obedience for the first week. On leash or in a fence until she was 100% about coming in the house or fenced yard.

She's extremely bonded to me now and will let me do anything to/with her. Not so much new people. Observing how territorial she is over her crate/car/room, etc., now, I find it interesting how calm she was about her crate at the airport.

Most important is to keep the dog securely on leash in the first weeks home--I've heard more than one story of a recently imported/sold dog slipping its collar and running off, not to be found for weeks, if ever.

Also, give the dog time to process the change in environment before expecting much--their whole world has just changed. Don't offer a cookie and ask for a sit or down--just give the cookie. Don't reach for the dog, encourage it to come to you. Don't stare, make threatening eye contact, or do a lot of front-on movement toward the dog--that's all body language that is hostile to a dog. Some dogs won't care--others will. The problem is you won't know until after you see the dog react, so better to offer a nonconfrontational presentation at first to begin laying the groundwork for the relationship.

thanks blkgsd yeah i think being aloof kinda like the dog and not pettting or trying to hug and cuddle her until u have gotten a bond

stuff like maybe reading a book while u give her a bone to chew etc..


or maybe playing fetch in a fenced in yard

when did u start taking her on walks other than the petsmart incident?

Destiny4u--I live on 10 acres, so I just started walking her around the house/yard/area. After about 3 days, I was walking her with a leash dragging, and after a week I just took the leash off. She was never interested in wandering, but I just wanted to make sure.

I also used a slip/choke collar for the first week to make sure she didn't duck out of a collar if something happened--nothing did, but I wanted to make sure. I took her on a lot of car errands that first month--as long as I wasn't going to be out of the car for more than 2-3 minutes (hot summer).

Wolf was not imported but shipped from Idaho to Phila by air...when we picked him up his crate was in the shipping area, also where the planes turn at the end of the runway & do their engine checks...unGodly noisy; a very stressful place. His crate was on a forklift & thumped down, & the crew member was obviously pretty apprehensive about the "big, black dog in there", & when I told him I had not met the dog before, he left the area quickly, LOL. I opened the crate, knelt down & let him come to my hand, which he did after about 3 minutes of staring at me, testing the air. I leashed him & took him to the grassy area across the street from the loading dock, where he took a couple steps, looked up at me, & lifted his leg & peed on my leg. I don't know if it was dominance, or just marking me, but it was totally deliberate.

He stayed with me that evening, slept in the kitchen, & the next day went to the vets, & then to meet his new owner, my step-daughter. He was getting very prancy & full of himself with me, but when she took his leash to lead him away, you could tell he was kind of 'oh-oh, what now?' By the next time I saw him, about a week later, he was very bonded with her, didn't want to go back with me for his vet follow-up. we made sure no major corrections, no off leash or out of yard, for about 3 months, until we figured he was acclimated. He was fine, but we were being cautious. We did put him through his OB paces a couple of times just to see what he knew, but in a fun way, no pressure. He never took a step wrong, was very polite to every one, man, woman, dog, or cat (except of course for the peeing!). He was aloof to strangers. He did, however watch my step-daughter like a hawk for the first 6 months or so....I guess he wasn't ready to 'lose' her. A very nice, stable, gentleman. jackie harris

nice story how old was the big black boy? the crew member part is funny lol like the dog was gonna get out and just go after him or something lol

 We've imported about half a dozen in the last 2 years. Some for us, some for clients. They were all different when they arrived, some were just psyched to get out of the crate and move around, some were quiet and observant and one was a total spook. They all eventually settled in, usually in a couple of weeks. The one spooky girl should have been sent back, she has never been a great dog but is very loving.
We tend to be very gentle and mellow with them when they first arrive and assign them a buddy dog of sorts. We try to do some obedience right off the bat, but in a fun way if that makes sense. Personally I prefer to buy older dogs as opposed to pups, but you have to get them from the right place for sure!
Currently I have a 10 week old pup and am not enjoying the potty trips outside in the cold . 

Annette

I have imported 3 dogs for my own household and clearned customs 7 times for clients. All the dogs originated from the same kennel in Slovakia. I have to say all but 1 came out of the crate like gang busters wanting to tug and giving kisses.
In my opinion alot has to do with how well they have been socialized, introduced to the crate, and aclimated to life in general. The dogs i have brought over have ranged from 3 months to 4 years old.

If a dog has only been crated 1 time or never  had minimal contact with the outside world then enough said. Lets not forget 2 other important things. the dogs nerves and issues regarding handling during transport.. (did the crate get handled roughly etc)

I got my Axel at 10 weeks old from Belgium. I laid down on the floor he came out of the crate he looked at me walked over and smelled me and bite my nose... It was love at first bite... 

Last year I imported a 4 year old bitch from Czech. and you guys had it easy. The kennel I bought her from didn't tell me she was trained to be Satan in the kennel, vehicle or crate. The cargo handlers didn't want anything to do with her, because she was trying to eat anyone who came near the crate. I got all my paper work in order and it was time to load her in the truck. I had a hard time convincing one of the employees to help me lift the crate into the back, we got her in and I left. I took her to my Moms house about 30 min away for a piss and something to eat before I headed home (6hours away). When I got there I opened the canopy and tail gate and she was off the hook. I wanted to get her out, but she didn't have a collar on. I grabbed a handful of food and called her name, she sniffed the food and calmed down. With my shoulder pressed against the kennel door I opened it slowly and offered the food. She ate it, so I gave her some more and slipped the flat collar on. I leashed her up and she hopped out did her business, said hi to everyone and was cool. I got her home and she settled in pretty quick.

I kenneled her for a couple of weeks not paying much attention to her. I went out fed, watered and took her for some quick exercise on my property. After the couple of weeks I took her for some walks in the neighborhood and started doing some OB with her. I also started letting her spend time in the house with us. I took her for rides in the truck and spent time bonding with her, before I began asking for much. I thought she fully bonded after about 4 months, but really at about 8months I noticed a huge change in her. She became much more loving towards us and her attitude was much more upbeat. I just assumed up to the 8 month mark she was a serious dog that wasn't overly affectionate.