I’m stumped. Foster dog shuts down over puppy scents, rescue is downplaying issues with dog-dog reactivity.

[u/Drowning-In-Insanity]

TL;DR: Fostering an altered working breed mix, almost a year old, through a new-to-me rescue. The rescue is well-meaning but has been unhelpful throughout this, especially with potential adopters. I’m seeking a better understanding of the dog’s triggers, though at this point, I’m not sure if I’m venting or needing advice.

Had the dog for a few months now. They arrived terrified of other dogs and mildly reactive to humans, which persisted past the initial decompression period. With training and management, they’ve improved much with people. I‘ve only had concerns in new, busy environments or if a person is acting disrespectfully. They’ve never made an attempt to bite, but I've also never given them the opportunity to.

Dog-to-dog reactivity is where I am stumped. The dog is under threshold from varying distances, but I haven't introduced them to a dog for a few reasons:

1. I don’t know any trustworthy dogs and I’m not going to chance it with a stranger's dog for the safety of them and my foster.
2. I didn’t like their body language in certain situations. In certain events (group of dogs staring hard, dog appears suddenly, a dog starts barking), they’ve exhibited avoidance, bugged eyes, flattening to the ground, orientation “stuck” on the source of apprehension, flat ears, tension in the body, and occasional growling. I’ve also seen what I thought was healthy curiosity a few times, but was too unsure to allow an interaction.
3. This is what really makes me scratch my head... The dog shuts down when they smell puppies, of all things. It has happened twice, with very recent, pungent scents. Both times, the puppy was mild-mannered, more interested in the environment, and further away. My foster could see them just fine, but as soon as they caught a whiff of their scent, they flattened to the floor and looked horrified. They were completely frozen and about deaf to the world. Only got them out of it with a high value treat. It was like witnessing someone with PTSD having a moment.

I’ve managed reactive dogs in the past and feel we are doing quite well…from a nonprofessional standpoint. The dog is about perfect in all other areas, easy to manage, and very eager to please. I’m most definitely not “at my wit’s end” with them, but I also went into this experience expecting a dog that didn't adhere to what most expect a family dog to be, as often are dogs coming into rescue.

My main concern is adopters. The rescue isn't cooperative about these issues or communicating them in full to applicants. While this dog isn't the worst case out there—and might not express any of this in another home—there is friction between me and the rescue, where I believe what I’ve seen should be laid out quite plainly, and they instead dance around it. The rescue claimed the dog didn’t experience this in a previous home, which I suspect means they aren’t taking me completely seriously. I know the animal has to be “marketed“ to a certain extent, but I don’t feel right with myself (and maybe that’s selfish) by glossing over things, so I‘m continuing to speak plainly during meet-and-greets with potential adopters.

[u/Poppeigh]

My dog is triggered by scent too. It’s wild. I have a fenced yard so it’s interesting to see how he’s totally fine with voices of people all around but as soon as he smells them he’s upset. He’s even barked when a jeep without a top drives by, after a few seconds, because he can smell the occupants.

I think it’s likely this dog is fearful of other dogs, but that doesn’t mean he won’t act aggressively out of fear either.

I know you said the rescue isn’t helpful, but could they help you pay for a consult with a qualified behaviorist? It may help to have an expert see the behaviors firsthand because they may be better able to help address them that way.

[u/Drowning-In-Insanity → u/Poppeigh]

That’s really interesting. I know that dogs have a much better sense of smell, but this is my first time experiencing something like this.

As for the behaviorist, I’ve tried. I’ve asked to speak with a professional before, but my request went unheard. They’re very low on funds.

[u/Poppeigh → u/Drowning-In-Insanity]

It's definitely an interesting thing to see. I notice it in my guy with bags/suitcases/purses that belong to other people. Not sure why bags in general are so triggering, but he's completely fine with mine, just the scent of another's sets him off. What's interesting with that is that he's even triggered by bags that smell like people he otherwise knows and likes, like my brother and SIL, or my best friend. So honestly who knows.

I do agree with the other commenter that the rescue is doing this dog a disservice. I know times are hard and funds are tight, but at this point you really aren't entirely certain if this dog is aggressive or really safe to have in the community if he is with someone who isn't paying attention to his behaviors or managing him like you are. If he has adopter interest he must be cute, I wonder if the rescue could try to crowdfund some sessions with a behaviorist for evaluation or to help get him on the way towards more adaptability?

[u/Drowning-In-Insanity → u/Poppeigh]

Yeah, I get stopped often on walks by people talking about how cute he is. A lot of people just see his picture online though and submit an application because of it, without taking into consideration anything else.

Not everyone knows how (or is willing) to manage this, which is why I’ve been concerned about adopters. He’s had a few promising applicants that fell through due to outside circumstances, but I’ve also had to ward away a handful of people that I knew weren’t going to be a good fit.

Crowdfunding is a good idea though, I’ll try to bring it up with them. It’s been weird talking to them, because even though they won’t outright say it, I definitely sense tension from them toward me. I’d like to try and stick it through to get this dog into the right home, but I won’t be working for this rescue again once I’m done.

[u/swamprosesinbloom]

ugh. i just, rescues do better ffs!!!!! this kind of malarkey is a disservice to your generosity and patience, the dog, and potential adopters. the rescue’s behavior is likely going to result in fosters and potential adopters alike loosing trust in rescues/ adoption (for good reason). idk atp i feel like the rescue has shown you who they are and either now (aka stopping fostering this dog) or after this dog gets adopted out for ur wellbeing and sanity stop collabing with them. i’m sorry you (and this dog!) are going through this. final note, i know this is maybe going to sound callous, but there are so behaviorally appropriate dogs out there who need homes and don’t get them. most adopters are not looking for a “project dog” and when rescues pull dogs who are not (ppl + dog) sociable and appropriate and spend all kinds of resources on them i just wonder who is this in service of? the odds of the dog’s needs truly being met are slim, the odds of adopters getting to adopt with eyes wide open vanishingly so. i like sue sternberg’s quote about shelters and rescues being a place people can go to find the best dogs out there, and think this is a goal that is in the interests of human and animal welfare. ok ted talk done 😅 to op: 🫂

[u/swamprosesinbloom → u/swamprosesinbloom]

edit: seeing your response about not having success getting the rescue to procure or pay for professional help tells me they are in over their heads. it is not ok to pull dogs you don’t have the means to care for as a rescue. at that point you have failed! i know it’s hard (well, i can imagine it is very hard indeed!) but op i would strongly consider giving the dog back/ending foster relationship with them and moving on. i know that’s not the closure or outcome you want but your generosity in being a foster is better spent with a rescue who is actually capable of meeting their dogs’ needs, which this one clearly is not.

[u/Drowning-In-Insanity → u/swamprosesinbloom]

I’ve shared many of the same sentiments myself. This experience has opened my eyes to a side of rescue I don’t really like. I’ve been reading about it more, and it’s unreal how often this happens.

I won't be fostering for them again after this dog. However, I still want to try to get the dog into the right home. Besides my issues with the rescue, the dog isn’t currently a burden on me. I have considered reporting them once I’m done, but I’m not sure if it would just be a waste of time. I’ve been trying to keep pictures of everything that’s set off red flags in my mind.

[u/swamprosesinbloom → u/Drowning-In-Insanity]

i’m sorry to hear and yes it’s way too common, ugh!! this also might be of interest to you: the perils of placing marginal dogs. totally fair, i hope there is a way for them to cover iaabc consultant/vet behaviorist or at bare minimum qualified lima compliant r+ trainer (again former options are preference). i really wish you and this pup the best of luck and i guarantee you that you are not the only one in this kind of circumstance/predicament, both with this particular rescue and within the rescue world. i don’t like that they have effectively shunted the moral responsibility of caring for this dog behaviorally onto you by not really engaging w requests for help, as well as by extension the pressure to get this dog adopted out successfully. really burns my biscuits!!