Odin

Odin - adopted July 24, 2006

One of the first of many kisses

Little Odin has come a long way from the frightened pug who graced my foster home. He had developed a deep fear agression of being picked up or touched on the hindquarters. Along the way he learned that by growling, baring fangs and biting, humans would back off. I had to show him that being touched was a pleasure and not associated with pain. In doing so I became very close and he developed an intimate trust with me. I will continue to build on that trust so that he will always be the happy pug that has now bloomed.
Larry

Foster Update - July 15th

Odin has come back to us because of incompatibility with his previous adopter's Siamese cat. He was fine with their other cat but the Siamese was having a difficult time adjusting to Odin's presence. His adopter's were very happy with Odin and his playful little antics. They agreed that he would have been a perfect little pug companion. However, fearful of Odin getting hurt, they reluctantly returned him to our rescue organization.

He is currently going through a reassessment as some of the fear aggression patterns of behaviour is appearing every once in a while.

This energetic pug loves to run, play tug and go for long walks on cool mornings. He will tug playfully on his leash to get a game going but drops it on command. And at the end of the day, he will lay by your feet (or as close to you as he is allowed). Odin will need someone who will continue with his obedience training and behavioural adjustment. As people who came to Woofstock know, Odin is an extremely lovable little pug. He will make that special someone very happy as he learns his place within the family structure.

He does get along with other dogs in the park. If he goes to a home with other dogs, then a closely watched integration will have to be done. All in all he is a pug who has experienced more negativity than a dog should in his short life. However, through positive reinforcments (a.k.a 'treats) he has bounced back and the happy little pug is shining through.

Odin - Foster Update June 9th

Odin will be at Woofstock this weekend at the Pugalug Pug Rescue booth.
Odin has been showing less and less signs of the fear agression that led to his wanting to bite. As he has become more comfortable in the home, he has been "pushing" the other dogs, not backing down when the warning signals have been sent. As a result there has been a couple of scuffles, one of which resulted in a little nip to his muzzle. We are working at bringing his pushy behaviour under control.

We have had our behavioural consult with Joan Weston of Fangs But No Fangs. She has setup a recommended approach based on resource control (after all, he's a pug so loves to eat). Odin is very clever and picks up on what you want within 2 or 3 tries. With his earnest attitude in wanting to please and response to treats we will help him to understand his place in the world.

Odin - Foster Update May 30th

Odin is a fun loving little pug who loves to run, stand on you chest and slurp your face, and obey the commands in return for a treat. The last part is very important as Odin needs correction and guidance in certain areas.

At some point in his 1.5 years he has associated being picked up and held with pain. I didn't know this at first. When I picked him up, he got anxious, squirmed to be let go. I could feel his little heart beating rapidly. I tried to ease him by stroking his chin. He squirmed into my hand and bit down. It was a warning bite but his fear of being held up came through loud and clear. I gently brought him to the ground where he immediatley relaxed. It was later reported to me that this aggression and biting was the reason he was scheduled to be euthanized.

So over the last two days I've been charting any other signs or patterns of fear aggression, dominance or anxiety. In addition I wanted to earn his trust so the next time I picked him up, he would be more at ease.

In earning this trust he has bonded to me closely. However it also causes bouts of separation anxiety when I leave the room with him in his crate. I have been patiently working at easing this anxiety.

On the morning of the 30th he was relaxed on the bed. I carefully lifted him up, whispering his name in his ear. I could feel his little heart beating quicker but he didn't squirm. I gently set him back down and gave him a cookie. I believe we have jumped a hurdle together.

Larry
Foster Dad

Odin gives Dante and run for his money

Dublin gets in on the chase game

Odin - Introduction May 28th

Odin (meaning Master of the Life Force). And Odin is a Life Force all unto himself. He is 1 1/2 years old and just full of life and high spirit. But Odin has been through a lot in his short lifetime. He has been in 3 homes. In his first home, he had all of his hair shaved off when he was around 10 months old. The documentation that came with him reports this was done because of human allergies.

His second home had a 7 year old pug who was becoming stressed due to the high energy level of Odin. His 3rd home reported agression issues of snapping and biting. Somewhere along the way somebody failed this little guy. He started out as a happy puppy and is now fearful of being picked up or held the wrong way.

In April/06 it's reported that he had his neutering done and then went on to pass his Obedience class. The transport people reported that he is smart, clever (he tried to lift the lock on the door when the car had stopped - don't think they taught that in Obedience Class)

He is up to date on his shots and has a microchip. However he is going to need an assessment of his aggression and then a lengthy period of adjustment. I'll keep you posted on the "Norse god of magic"

Larry