Thurs 15th Feb: Changing the untouchables

Two of the four shy pups sent to Tai Po today

Like everyone else I was trying to get everything done before the start of the Lunar New Year holiday, and that included packing up and sending my four shy Lamma puppies to Tai Po to begin their socialisation training.  Their friend and mentor Peaky had made the same trip about a week ago and is already doing very well, accepting petting and ear scratches when previously he didn't want anyone to touch him.  Some dogs can be really quite friendly but still object to being touched, and I have a very good example on Lamma in Nemo, a small-medium sized dog who came from one of the New Territories AFCD Centres as a puppy.  Now three years old, Nemo follows me round like a shadow but I can't put my hand on him or make contact in any way, although he is happy to lick my legs whenever possible.  I don't mind these no-contact dogs at all, but I know they aren't what most people are looking for in a companion dog.

We have seen a lot of cases of dogs that have initially been very shy and hating to be touched, but most respond to gentle training and gradually accept, then enjoy the contact.  Goldie was just like this before he was taken for fostering, and now he is a completely different character.  He was one of a family of TNR dogs, trapped for desexing before being released back to where they came from.  Of all of those caught at that time, Goldie was the only one who seemed tame enough to be able to change his behaviour so he came to Tai Po.  A lot of people asked about fostering or adopting him but it was felt he was too much of a runaway risk at the time.  Finally he went home with someone who was used to rehabilitating these kinds of dogs, and the result is quite amazing and really heartwarming.

Time, patience and gentle training worked wonders for Goldie

While I'm enjoying the lovely prospect of four days at home, our Homing Centres at Tai Po and Ap Lei Chau will be open throughout the Lunar New Year holiday from 10am to 6pm, and I know a lot of happy Tai Po dogs have been reserved for hiking over that period.  Thanks to all volunteers who will be giving the dogs a well-earned day away from the Homing Centre, and I look forward to seeing the photos.   Of course adopters are very welcome to come and meet the dogs waiting for homes, and I hope we will be seeing some happy adoptions over Chinese New Year.

I hope you enjoy this short video made by our trainer Cactus, and I wish everyone a very Happy and Blessed Year of the Dog!