Update on HurriCain Hogan *long and pic heavy*

Hi all,

I haven't been around for about 6 weeks due to some stuff going on in my personal life which basically means I haven't had time to switch my computer on in weeks! However things are settling down and I thought it was time for un update on my "little" dog Cain.

For those of you who missed his story, Cain was bred by an idiotic woman who had an Akita and crossed it with a random black GSD to produce cute puppies to sell. Sadly she obviously homed them to poor places who were not prepared for the giant active dog Cain would grow up to be. By the time we heard about him, he was just 8 months old but had already been returned FOUR times!!! He was terrified of men, had no socialisation and was being attacked by the other male dogs in the house. He was being shut in a room alone and never walked.

So this giant 40kg, untrained, unsocialised adolescent landed on our doorstep! We named him Cain, short for Hurricane, as he bolted around the house destoying everything in his path! He was petrified of men, he had a melt down at the vets and was even worse when he met our male dog trainer for the first time. He was reactive to eveything out on walks, bikes, runners, strangers, other dogs. He was so strong on the lead I got pulled over, had to get a Halti. He barked non stop at the window (we live on a main road), he jumped up, he had no manners and barged past us, snatched everything. He was hard work and some days I wondered if we could really do it. But we couldn't give up on him, we swore to be his forever home.

Well it's been almost 3 months he's been in our home and the change is unreal!!! He's due to have his first birthday next month and we're really hoping he doesn't grow any bigger! He started his basic training classes two weeks ago and is doing very well - he's mostly a GSD with behaviour although he does have his stobborn moments when his Akita shines through!

He has basically nailed his fear of people and wants to be everyone's friend, even men. Last week he met two children in the park and was rolling on the floor having his tummy tickled, I was so proud! He ran up to the huge, tatoo covered, skin head man in the park yesterday for love! I'm so proud of him. He's still less confident at night though. We couldn't let people through the door without him having a meltdown, now he runs to the door with his tail wagging and accosts all strangers with licks!!!

He is much better at not reacting to moving things, such as runners and bikes,he will only if he doesn't hear them coming and that scares him.

He's still very pully on the lead, but can do fantastic heel work....when he chooses too! We're working on that though and I think he'll get it, still using the halti though.

He is on a steep learing curve with other dogs. He still can't be let of the lead because he has no social skills. He was scared over other dogs, but mostly now he just wants to play. However to Cain play = leap on dogs back! And unfortunately most dogs object to a 40kg dog landing on their backs! Our dog trainer walks him on week days while we're at work and is working VERY hard to socialse him with stable dogs and I know we'll get there.....

His seperation anxiety has all but gone. We now can leave him all days while we're at work, uncrated but shut in the kitchen. With the radio, interactive toys and a daily walk from Dave, he's perfectly happy to be left.

He has learned manners such as waiting for him dinner, not barging past legs, not snatching etc. Still moults all over my house which is covered in a permanent white fuzz....lol

I could go on all day, but I won't! I am so proud of the progress he has made in such a short length of time. Honestly, we'll look back in a year and laugh, he will be a different dog. I admit he is such hard work still and thre are days I could throttle him!!! But he has come on so much, we'll get there.....

Enough waffle....here's some photos of my gorgeous little lad!

Enjoying the pond in Richmond Park


Poor dog being dressed up


Loving the flat football


With his "silly ear"


Tall enough he can see out the window without jumping up!


More river play


In the spring flowers


His "naughty face"


Looking out the window


He loves sitting on benches!


With his nylabone


And tuggy toy


Sitting on Uncle Dave's lap (our dog trainer)


Hugs with Uncle Dave

Wow wow wow!!!! You have completely turned that dogs life around!! I had tears in my eyes reading your post, as Cain's life could have been so horribly different had it not been for you, your family and 'Uncle Dave' who is clearly adored by him!

I'm so happy for all of you, what an incredible story!!

Well done Amanda you have done so much for Cain. He is very handsome

What a lovely post to read

congratulations on his fantastic progress (which is purely down to your hard workd).

Well done with all you have achieved, it is a wonderful feeling isn;t it when you can see light at the end of the dark tunnel.
I am so happy for you, having had similar BC's in my life with the same problems, I know what a proud feeling it is when you start to see them shine through.

He is one very handsome fellow, such an adorable face and I bet as he gets older he will surprise you with his intelligence , you can see he has intelligence in his eyes.

May all your hard work come together, and Uncle Dave is obviously a solid rock in his life too. Well done to you all xxxxxxxxx

Well done---he is a really handsome chap

rune

What a lovely boy. He is a big softie. It goes to show what perseverance can do.

He is absolutely gorgeous, one can only imagine the kind of life he was heading for if you had not stepped in a gave him the chance of love and life!!! Poor thing what a miserable start in life, but now he has the best home. Well done to you all!xx

Thanks everyone for your kind words. It is a good feeling to see the difference. We have worked hard on him but it's his strength of character and genuine lovely personality which was always there, deep down, which has really cause his progress. It was the ever solid support of Dave our dog trainer (and good friend now) who got us through and never lost faith in Cain, a good dog trainer is worth more than their weight in gold

In those early days there were times where I was worried we had bitten off more than we could chew, I did doubt it but I'm so glad we fought on and he'll only get better.

And he's already showing his intelligence! He is very smart, it's just getting his focus. Everything in the world is still very new and exciting for him and he's easily distracted, once he's older and has a bigger attention span I think he'll shine. I cannot wait to start agility with him when he's old enough

Just want to get his walks sorted now, everything else that needs work is not too bad. Just want to stophis lead pulling, get him better with other dogs and he able to get him off lead. Once we get walks better I'll be a lot happier.

This is amazing. Well done to you for turning this dog's life around and showing him how good life can be. You should be really proud of yourself for all that you have done and are doing for him. He certainly sounds (and looks!) as if he knows it's his home now, which is really great. I hope his siblings are doing at least half as well as he is.

Thanks for the update and keep up the good work! Well done, Cain.