Hi,

I am thinking about taking in a rescue, a 5 year old American Eskimo
that was severely neglected by his prior owner. The dog is currently
in a foster home. As far as is known the dog was in a stall in a barn
for it's entire life with little or no contact with people or other
animals outside of being fed.

I have experience in rescues and have dealt with an abused Klee Kai
successfully. The problem is that the Eskie almost seems to be, for
want of a better term, autistic. He is not aggressive at all or
fearful. He sometimes tracks eye contact but usually not, unless you
get right in his line of sight even then it's just in passing. From
what I gather he has improved in foster care over the past three
months but is still very distant from everyone. He doesn't seek out
affection or contact but doesn't react or struggle if picked up or
petted according to the foster mother. He just seems oblivious to
contact although he is alert and pays attention to everything around
him. He pretty much ignores other dogs, other then to growl if they
get too insistent. He doesn't lick, roll over, cringe or react much at
all to people close to him. He will come if you hold out a treat but
that is a recent development according to the foster mother.
Originally he didn't know what a treat was or that people gave them.

He doesn't sniff the ground or check scents anywhere including
sniffing other dogs. He isn't housebroken although he is trained to
use puppy pads. If there is long grass around he likes to sit in it
and look around but doesn't seem bothered if someone walks up to him
to interact.

He seems unaturally calm at all times, it's almost eerie.

I would like to know if anyone has experience in dealing with a dog
like this. I am trying to get an idea of what can be done, or what
cannot be done as the case may be. Any ideas or information would be
appreciated.

Feel free to email me.