Meet Orion (experience with a non-puppy "imprinting" ?)

[Mistook]

Let's start by saying I certainly did not expect to be visiting GermanShepherds.com on Christmas night-- or ever!

My sister, Jess, is an animal magnet, with a heart big enough to hold all of them. Last week while she was at the vet getting her puppy fixed, she somehow set herself up to help with a GSD rescue transport-- bring him to GA, keep him for a day, then hand him off to someone headed for AL.

Jess got in late the night before Christmas Eve. Yesterday morning I went downstairs. The GSD, Orion, has a history of abuse and neglect and is very skittish around people and loud noises. However when I walked in the room, he came up to me, sniffed, and then climbed on the couch, and put his head in my lap. He has since followed me around and been protective of me around the other dogs. He seems to have formed an instant attachment!

My husband and I can take him in 6 months (our current roommate is allergic) and my sister has volunteered to care for him until then...

What do you think? Does anyone have experience with a non-puppy "imprinting" on someone?

[MaggieRoseLee]

I can't answer your question specifically but it is wonderful to see when a dog 'picks' someone to be their person.

Bless you for taking on this pup for the next 6 months.

PICTURES we need PICTURES!

[msvette2u]

The GSD, Orion, has a history of abuse and neglect and is very skittish around people and loud noises. However when I walked in the room, he came up to me, sniffed, and then climbed on the couch, and put his head in my lap. He has since followed me around and been protective of me around the other dogs. He seems to have formed an instant attachment!

While it's true dogs do pick a special person, in this case, it's desperation and he was guarding you, not protecting you.

If anyone takes/cares for him, they need to learn about the 2 week shut down and start it immediately.

Dogs like this one are in so much transition it's rather like a drowning person clinging to a life-ring.
They don't stop to ask what color the life-ring is, they grab and cling on.

We discourage that type bonding in our rescue because it is not a healthy one, and when you see a healthy one, you'll know the difference.

The "protection" at this stage very easily transfer to humans and within a week or two you'll have a mess on your hands.

http://www.bigdogsbighearts.com/2_week_shutdown0001.pdf

This is a PDF file and a bit longer to load than an html page, but please try to get it loaded and print it off, and follow it, or have your sister do so.

Chances are, living in her home for 6 mos., he's going to be her (or her husband's) dog by the time it's done. And they'll see this "bonding" (guarding) as well, and if they have other dogs, it's going to be a mess.

[carmspack]

good answer msvette2U . The dog should never be in the drivers seat . Even the dynamics between the new owner will be different letting the dog make decisions , after all he made a brilliant one in choosing ME! didn't he .

We see this with people meeting pups before they are ready to be chosen for the person. The first dog that runs up to them is "THE ONE" , they feel chosen. Yet the dog knows zilch about the person , while the breeder , or the adoption agent can ask questions which will make an informed best-outcomes pairing.