Deano's Story

Deano was born on the 3rd June 2010 along with 8 brothers & sisters.

His start in life wasn't the best - the pups spent the first 12 weeks of their life in a bathroom, never seeing the outside world. Not too sure when they were taken away from mum, but I am guessing they didn't spend the whole 8 weeks the her. It was an accidental mating, mum being a small stafford and dad 'long legged'.

On the 27th August 2010, Deano and his litter mates came into Harefield. No-one could believe these tiny little dogs were 12 weeks old - The biggest weighing 3.8kg and Deano the smallest weighing 3.4kg. On the 31st August, Deano came home with me, I feel in love with him and let my heart rule my head. He soon settled at home and Pep mothered him from day one! On the 6th September, I took Deano back to work with me. He had been very poorly over the weekend. I had my suspision what was wrong with him, but left it for the vets at work to see him. I was in tears as I honeslty thought I was going too loose him. The snap test came back + for Parvo. He was rushed off to the Beamount Vets in London for the week where he slowly got better and responded well to the drugs. On the 10th I was allowed to collect him - it seemed like the longest week of my life! He was so excited when he saw me, his tail going ten to the dozen!

I was so pleased to have him home, he had some medication to finish off over the next few days. I was still struggling to get him to eat, but found he loved nature diet packs, so I fed him them to help build him up. The following Friday - he came back to work with me for a check up and his 2nd vaccination. He had put on over a KG in the week of being back home with me - he was finally getting over the parvo!

Everyone at work loved him, he loved them - he played with the other dogs in reception. He was responding well to clicker training and enjoyed coming out on walks with us - even though he was being carried for a while. He came down with me to my parents and loved all the attention from people and playing with Buzz.

This all changed when he turned 6 months. He was reacting to dogs when out - lunging & growling at them. We were still living at the flat and we were coming back from a walk and I had just opened the front door when the neighbour came down the stairs. Rocco & Pepper said their ususal hellos...but Deano bit him! :shocking I was mortified! Luckily my neighbour was fine about it. I spoke to my TBA at work and she said to bring him in, to do extra socialising with him. Sadly though, no matter what I did he was getting worse. He used to spend the days in the kicthen at work with his EBT friend Boris, then it was Chip...One day the TBA went into the kictchen and Deano bit her 3 times - bang, bang, bang - didn't draw blood, but he meant it!

I couldn't understand why the sudden change...he was well socialised - met lots of people/dogs etc and never had a problem. I was always a believer in it's how you raise the dogs - there is no such thing as a bad dog...well he has proved me wrong. I have done EVERYTHING right by him, but I am sad to say he is a 'bad' dog. But a dog I wouldn't change for the world.

I have him muzzled in public at all times. I do not ever want him in a situation where he has the chance to bite someone. He is quite happy wearing the muzzle and it doesn't phase or bother him. I have started doing Lure Racing with him & agility. Hopefully he will learn that doing fun things means having other people around & that they are not going to hurt him.

I have recently put him on CSJ 'calm down' herbs & for the last month I have also had a DAP collar on him too. I feel these have helped him and when we were in the Lakes, he was so well behaved. Yes, he had his moments, but he did me proud! I just hope I can help him through his nervousness and he can enjoy a full & happy life!

Thanks for reading!

x

What a lucky boy to have found you Nikki, such a bad start in life but more than made up for it now.

Its very difficult when you cannot understand their behaviour and more so when there seems to be nothing you can do about it.

The main things is that you can manage it and he is happy

Hi Nikki as you know I had the pleasure as many others did of knowing Deano from the pup you brought home -

Deano is a very special boy who had a traumatic start in life (before you) and I do believe that before birth if Mum has a traumatic life then it is passed onto unborn pups xx

Deano has overcome so much in his life to date - overcominfg Pavro whilst some of his littermates were no so fortunate.

Even though Deano has he DA I do beleive he is in the right home - with people and poochies who understand him and can provide the 1 to 1 care - love and training Deano needs.

I also beleive that Deano is not a bad dog - he is just very unsure and nervous and his way of proctecting himself to to act first before been attacked.

I would probably do as you are an muzzle Deano on walks to protect him from delivering the bite to anyone who approaches Deano - sadly humans dont approach dogs as they should - they mean well but in Deanos eyes he doesnt want them anywhere near him

Dont loose heart hun - keep up the good work and hugs to Deano - he is a good boy who is misunderstood ny the human world xx

sounds like deano has landed on his feet after a sh*tty start in life and im pleased he's found you
i hope he improves and one day you'll able to bin the muzzle
good luck with the boy



where in the lakes were you ?

Nikki, Deano is lucky to have found you.

You are doing the best for him and your passion shows through.

He is getting lots of varierty by the sounds of it and it is good that he does not mind the muzzle.

Having worked with the rescues there are just some dogs that are so gorgeous and yet they have this side to them.

Keep up the good work Nikki I can tell how precious he is to you.

I truly think some dogs are meant to come your way and Deano has been very lucky to find you.

Love Deano's story - not for the sad parts but for what you have achieved with him.

Life dealt him a cruel blow but you have given him the chance to live a full and happy life - yes he has restrictions but he also has a full happy family life with you and yours. Despite his issues he has is a credit to you and everything you have done for him.

You are amazing. Most people would of just given up on Deano but you are perservering. I know that this can happen as my eldest brother had a dog who slowly became aggressive, it started with dogs and then to people and then eventually she turned on my brother.
It seems Deano is making progress and I wish him and you the best of luck. xx

I might be a handful but I wouldn't change him for the world, he is my dog, I chose him and I love him with all my heart and aim to give him the best life I can!

x

I have just found this post, he is one lucky dog to have found you nikki, I wish you all the best with him and you are amazing xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx

Thought I would do an update on Deano...

He is now just over 2 years old and such a loving boy (with people he knows) He is improving, but it is a very slow and long process. He is such an intelligent boy when it comes to clicker training and knows more commands than the other two put together.

He has been on Zylkene for almost a month Zylkene, he hasn't done this.

He is loving his new home as I am now living on site of where I work (Stokenchurch Dog Rescue) which has been great for him as he is able to get off lead every day for about 2 hours in the secure paddock.

He is starting to become less reactive to people when we are out - aslong as they are not too close, but people are able to walk past us, him one side and me in between whoever is walking towards us.

He has been brilliant when we have been away camping over the summer and has become quite good with our friends dogs who are off lead around him and he ignores my friends when we are all out walking, which is great. I also had him sat with us (on lead and muzzled) while we were all chilling during the day/evening.

I think he is slowly starting to learn that no-one is going to hurt him - but I will never become complacent with him...I know what he's like.

x

Nikki I used to walk dogs at Stokenchurch & I do sponsored walks but haven't been up due to being busy/pregnant. Also was going to apply for a job but wouldn't of been able to go home for Quattro at lunch, small world hey :-).

Glad Deano is improving, sounds like he has a great life with you all.

stepys1 wrote:

Nikki I used to walk dogs at Stokenchurch & I do sponsored walks but haven't been up due to being busy/pregnant. Also was going to apply for a job but wouldn't of been able to go home for Quattro at lunch, small world hey :-).

Glad Deano is improving, sounds like he has a great life with you all.

Such a small world! Do you live locally to Stokenchurch then?

x

About 30 mins drive