Breakthrough
Tonight we had a small but significant step in the right direction with the foster dog. I had been trying giving treats everyday, rewarding him if he didn't run when I walked by or for sitting quietly in the foyer. He never took the treats; I thought maybe he was just really shut down and was ignoring the treats. Well, turns out he just didn't like the ones I was using! I opened a bag of one of my dogs' favourites - a locally made jerky called Honey Beefers - and he took it from my hand. I repeated this about five times, and did it again an hour later. With the last session after he'd taken about four treat bits from me I broke the rest of the jerky stick into small pieces and piled them in front of his paws. He very quickly ate them up.
I still haven't gotten his leash off, he still won't let me touch him, but he at least acknowledged me as the treat delivery system.
I also re-named him Oliver and have been giving him some brief, soft verbal interaction, using his new name, in hopes he will somehow connect his new name to good, comforting - and fun - things.
Baby steps, I know... but I feel a bit better about him than I did 24 hours ago.
Thanks to everyone who offered their support and advice! I will post a picture of Oliver soon so you can see the boy :)
I still haven't gotten his leash off, he still won't let me touch him, but he at least acknowledged me as the treat delivery system.
I also re-named him Oliver and have been giving him some brief, soft verbal interaction, using his new name, in hopes he will somehow connect his new name to good, comforting - and fun - things.
Baby steps, I know... but I feel a bit better about him than I did 24 hours ago.
Thanks to everyone who offered their support and advice! I will post a picture of Oliver soon so you can see the boy :)