[dblshot]

One of my 3 dogs is a rescued 107 pound part ridgeback part german shepherd? who was found taped up in a box in the woods with another dog and left to die. When we needed a companion for our 127 pound lab blueheeler mix because she chewed through a chain link fence in a thunderstorm we got Chief. Chief had been in a rescue facility for nearly a year, it's harder to adopt out big dogs. He is an awesome animal but definitely shy. I expect his rough early years are still with him. He is very protective of my wife though, and has a bark that he uses infrequently but to good effect. The thing with dogs is that they have learned over centuries of living with people, who to trust and who not to. Any of these war dogs with PTSD can benefit from a loving home, you just need to be attentive to there needs. As far as thunder goes, Chief benefits from a device that wraps around his body like a tight blanket, apparently it gives him a secure feeling because he is definitely less nervous when it's on him. Otherwise he'll hide in a corner if it's thundering. Anyway good luck and best wishes to the Dunhams, patience, patience, patience.

[algernonpj]

Regarding the device that resemble a tight blanket, it sounds like an off shot of the 'squeeze machine' devised by Temple Grandin, a woman with autism.

Temple Grandin

[LadyBuck]

Patience is key (along with major amounts of daily exercise and training)....but always patience....

Our 3 shepherds are all rescues, and all came with their own “emotional baggage”. The oldest is 14 and she still has “issues”.

What is strange to me is that these folks are just now figuring out that these battlefield traumas have an effect on the participating dogs. Anyone who has adopted an abused or neglected dog knows exactly what I mean - different circumstances, same kind of problems.