Koda and Zorro

We adopted Zorro from Lab Rescue in February 2016, and had previously adopted Koda in May 2015. While Koda had some health issues to deal with, she was a very well-behaved six-year-old girl who was just as easy as she was lovable. Zorro, while very charming and lovable, was not so easy. He went through two foster homes while with LR and was a notorious counter surfer and destroyer. Zorro’s time prior to his rescue was obviously not so wonderful. While in the shelter before being pulled, it was described that he crawled everywhere instead of walking. He was extremely fearful of nearly everything but very curious and sweet as could be.

In his first few weeks home, Zorro chewed countless shoes, the blinds, the back door frame, a razor he managed to get from my shower, and had several accidents. After two weeks home, he ate a pair of underwear requiring emergency surgery. After recovering, we got him on some anxiety medications and installed a doggy door. Several weeks went by without issues.

From then until recently it has been a consistent inconsistent and unpredictable roller coaster, resulting in the loss of multiple pillows, decorations, and several demolished pieces of furniture. It was very difficult because he was so good while we were home. We got tips from the vet, other pet owners and LR volunteers, the internet, and other K9 behaviorists.

Multiple sources suggested crating in order to insure his safety and the security of the rest of our home. However, Zorro could escape the airplane safe travel carrier, and when locked securely with pad locks, he was able to move the crate and eat one of my shoes through it. I like to say he has a lot of “will.”

After six months, when I felt like we had seriously tried everything I called Karen at Three Oaks Animal Behavior Counseling as a last ditch effort with not much optimism.  She called me back the same evening and spent over an hour with me on the phone. She promised to be honest with me about what she thought once she observed Zorro, even if her assessment was not so optimistic. She came to my home and spent over 3 hours with me and the dogs. She was never rushed and charged much less for much more than I had previously spent on like services. We came up with a plan which she has helped to execute. Through her knowledge of pharmacology, we have Zorro on a different combination of medications which have really seems to help. She even got a friend of hers to loan me a GoPro so we could record Zorro while I was not home (which proved to be so valuable).

Karen has been a constant source of support even months later. She calls and texts checking in to see how things are going and has even gone by my home to give the dogs treats on her lunch hour. She is extremely genuine and sincere. Through our efforts together with her treatment plan, we now think that many of Zorro’s issues come from puppy boredom and pent up energy, coupled with some fear and anxiety, but not the grim separation anxiety and pica we previously thought (and were told) was at issue. We love Karen and wouldn’t have the hope we do now and have made the steady progress we’ve made without her knowledge and support.

Thank you Karen!

McClayn, Koda and Zorro!