What would you do?

[Fallout]

Originally Posted by gruntygiggles

Perhaps it would be useful to think of ideas that might make it possible to make Sparkle more confident/less anxious and therefore give her a better quality of life to sway the balance a bit for her.

Well with the touch issue, she just needs to be touched ALL the time. With enough contact, the fear should dissipate. Also since dogs have a very good sense of smell, some sort of spray therapy could work. I'm sure that associating smells with pleasure/positives could be possible. Imagine if you always spray a particular air freshner or something (very weak, not potent obviously) near her face before touching her, she'd soon associate that smell with contact.

Just some random ideas. You'd have to get pretty creative but the sense of smell is obviously something she still has.

[littleoldman2]

Sadly I would put it down. I couldn't bear to see so much suffering for its whole life time.

Many pets are put down for the selfish reasons of their owners as Fallout has said but this is no different to any animal being slaughtered for food. Pets - live stock same thing in the end its a dog.

[Fallout]

Originally Posted by littleoldman2

Many pets are put down for the selfish reasons of their owners as Fallout has said but this is no different to any animal being slaughtered for food. Pets - live stock same thing in the end its a dog.

I agree with this. So long as the reasons are honest and not delusions, putting an animal down for the owner's benefit can be ok imo. It's a cruel difficult world. Sometimes owner's have to be selfish. Just don't lie to yourself if this is what you choose.

[yorkie_chris]

Originally Posted by Fallout

Well with the touch issue, she just needs to be touched ALL the time. With enough contact, the fear should dissipate. Also since dogs have a very good sense of smell, some sort of spray therapy could work. I'm sure that associating smells with pleasure/positives could be possible. Imagine if you always spray a particular air freshner or something (very weak, not potent obviously) near her face before touching her, she'd soon associate that smell with contact.

Just some random ideas. You'd have to get pretty creative but the sense of smell is obviously something she still has.

She'll probably suss that by the smell of particular people anyway.

[gruntygiggles]

Originally Posted by yorkie_chris

She'll probably suss that by the smell of particular people anyway.

Yeah she does. She still jumps though bless her.

[yorkie_chris]

Originally Posted by gruntygiggles

They will most likely be separated as Evie is getting offers for a permanent home and Sparkle is not.

How could anyone offer to split those 2 up.

[Fallout]

Originally Posted by yorkie_chris

She'll probably suss that by the smell of particular people anyway.

Originally Posted by gruntygiggles

Yeah she does. She still jumps though bless her.

Yeah, I'm sure she knows who is close by the scent of people, but I'm suggesting a spray or sprays that mean something specific, e.g. I'm about to touch you. I'm sure a dog could be taught to associate certain smells with actions.

Seems worth a try to me.

[gruntygiggles]

Originally Posted by yorkie_chris

How could anyone offer to split those 2 up.

Because when they are in an adoptive home as opposed to a foster home, the vets bills are not covered. Evie has no ongoing medical needs, Sparkle has lots...and a shorter life expectancy

Originally Posted by Fallout

Yeah, I'm sure she knows who is close by the scent of people, but I'm suggesting a spray or sprays that mean something specific, e.g. I'm about to touch you. I'm sure a dog could be taught to associate certain smells with actions.

Seems worth a try to me.

I think anything is worth a try.