Adopted a dog: now what?

[Anonymous]

I'm the poster who was asking about rescue organizations a week or so ago. We did a lot of research and adopted a 15 month old Australian cattle dog mix. The rescue organization had very little background information on him as he had never been placed in a foster home. I don't think he's ever lived in a house before last night actually. Anyhow, he's essentially terrified. Yesterday was rough - we brought him home at 2 or so and took him into the backyard, let him sniff everything, introduced him to the house, etc. he was doing okay but wouldn't eat a thing. We sat his crate up in the living space and he went in for a few minutes but then just laid on his blanket by the couch (we won't let him on the couch). Eventually, around 8, he ate but still hadn't peed. We could tell he was exhausted, but wouldn't let himself fall asleep so we decided to put him in the crate, which was easy, and shut down things downstairs and went upstairs to go to sleep. He lost it! Was HOWLING. It was honestly heartbreaking. So we brought his crate upstairs into the hallway outside our bedroom and kept the door open so he could see us. He calmed down considerably (not even a whine) and we slept until about 6am. I got up to feed him and take him outside. He ate fine, peed, we went for a 20 minute walk around the neighborhood, everything was great. Then in the 3 minutes I was upstairs DH had accidentally spilt warm (not hot) coffee on him! Now he's traumatized and won't come out of his crate (except to get some water) which is still upstairs. I guess I'm just worried he will never come out? Any idea what to do? He's friendly when we interact with him but will not come back downstairs at all. If I want to take him for a walk should I try and pull him out? Should we let him lay on the couch with us so he feels more included? Please help!

[Anonymous]

Oh, poor thing. Where do you live? There are dog rescue organizations that would give great advice. Do you have a contact for the one you used? There are also advice boards online, etc. I know a few, but they are in Maryland. I'd be happy to post some.

Dogs are social creatures. If you can let him sleep upstairs in sight of people, crated or not, that would be best.

I wouldn't let him on the sofa. That's a bad habit. But if someone is down on the floor petting him, that could help.

Do you have dog snacks? Those are a great way to lure dogs out to go do something.

Routine is very helpful and calming to a dog. Walks at the same time, meals at the same time, play at the same time. You can always add more in, but try to keep the basic routine in place as much as possible.

And a tired dog is a happy dog. Lots of exercise. Maybe walk him 4 times or so a day for awhile.

And enroll the both of you in a dog obedience course. County governments usually offer them. That's a little more of a long-term fix, but it's important.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Oh, poor thing. Where do you live? There are dog rescue organizations that would give great advice. Do you have a contact for the one you used? There are also advice boards online, etc. I know a few, but they are in Maryland. I'd be happy to post some.

Dogs are social creatures. If you can let him sleep upstairs in sight of people, crated or not, that would be best.

I wouldn't let him on the sofa. That's a bad habit. But if someone is down on the floor petting him, that could help.

Do you have dog snacks? Those are a great way to lure dogs out to go do something.

Routine is very helpful and calming to a dog. Walks at the same time, meals at the same time, play at the same time. You can always add more in, but try to keep the basic routine in place as much as possible.

And a tired dog is a happy dog. Lots of exercise. Maybe walk him 4 times or so a day for awhile.

And enroll the both of you in a dog obedience course. County governments usually offer them. That's a little more of a long-term fix, but it's important.

Oh, and do you have dog toys? My dog's favorite tug toys are those rope bones, and fleece "animals." To play tug of war. And those white beef bones that he can chew on.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Oh, poor thing. Where do you live? There are dog rescue organizations that would give great advice. Do you have a contact for the one you used? There are also advice boards online, etc. I know a few, but they are in Maryland. I'd be happy to post some.

Dogs are social creatures. If you can let him sleep upstairs in sight of people, crated or not, that would be best.

I wouldn't let him on the sofa. That's a bad habit. But if someone is down on the floor petting him, that could help.

Do you have dog snacks? Those are a great way to lure dogs out to go do something.

Routine is very helpful and calming to a dog. Walks at the same time, meals at the same time, play at the same time. You can always add more in, but try to keep the basic routine in place as much as possible.

And a tired dog is a happy dog. Lots of exercise. Maybe walk him 4 times or so a day for awhile.

And enroll the both of you in a dog obedience course. County governments usually offer them. That's a little more of a long-term fix, but it's important.

Oh, and do you have dog toys? My dog's favorite tug toys are those rope bones, and fleece "animals." To play tug of war. And those white beef bones that he can chew on.

Yes we have toys....I appreciate the response but I'm looking for more practical advice - what should I be doing TODAY to make him more comfortable. I already have a vet appointment and a trainer scheduled for next week...

[Anonymous]

Lure him out with treats (try chicken!) and then take him on a walk. Give him a lot of praise when he comes out and make sure your husband gives the dog extra love. You don't want him to fear your DH.

[Anonymous]

Pp again. don't let him on the couch unless you plan to always let him on. You could lay on the ground with him for a bit and rub his belly.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Oh, poor thing. Where do you live? There are dog rescue organizations that would give great advice. Do you have a contact for the one you used? There are also advice boards online, etc. I know a few, but they are in Maryland. I'd be happy to post some.

Dogs are social creatures. If you can let him sleep upstairs in sight of people, crated or not, that would be best.

I wouldn't let him on the sofa. That's a bad habit. But if someone is down on the floor petting him, that could help.

Do you have dog snacks? Those are a great way to lure dogs out to go do something.

Routine is very helpful and calming to a dog. Walks at the same time, meals at the same time, play at the same time. You can always add more in, but try to keep the basic routine in place as much as possible.

And a tired dog is a happy dog. Lots of exercise. Maybe walk him 4 times or so a day for awhile.

And enroll the both of you in a dog obedience course. County governments usually offer them. That's a little more of a long-term fix, but it's important.

Oh, and do you have dog toys? My dog's favorite tug toys are those rope bones, and fleece "animals." To play tug of war. And those white beef bones that he can chew on.

Yes we have toys....I appreciate the response but I'm looking for more practical advice - what should I be doing TODAY to make him more comfortable. I already have a vet appointment and a trainer scheduled for next week...

Well, treats and sitting on the floor with him are immediate.

[Anonymous]

it sounds like you've made good steps, esp with the vet/trainer appointments scheduled. honestly, you just need time. I rescued my 4 year old dog about a year ago and we recently moved into a new home - while he had no adjustment problems when he first came to us, he had ENORMOUS difficulties adjusting to the house. Hid in closets, lost his appetite, didn't want to play, etc etc.

We kept his routine as normal as we could, loved on him extra, exercised him more than usual, and after about two weeks he began to calm down. you can also try putting a dot of pure lavender oil or rescue remedy on his head, or put some lavender on a bandana and tie it around his neck to soothe him. also consider a thunder shirt, though make sure he isn't left outside or in a warm house with it as it is summer.

remember, you are brand new to him and he's never even been in a house before! the poor baby is just very scared. time will help it as well as the above suggestions and your trips to the vet and trainer. just let him know he is loved and he will eventually relax. good luck!

[Anonymous]

Today, take him for walks. Sit on the floor and talk to him. Let him come to you, and offer a treat when he does. Above all give him time. He's scared and uncertain. Have your husband do the same. Maybe when you go for walks have your husband leash him and walk him, give him treats.

[Anonymous]

It takes up to 6 months for a dog to be comfortable in a new environment and show its true personality. Patience!

I teach group training classes. When I have a stressed dog in the class, I will classically condition a positive association with me by stuffing hot dogs in the pup's mouth any time I'm nearby. If you can't hand feed, just toss in the dog's direction until he's braver.

[Anonymous]

Got any baby carrots? My dog loves them.

For your dog, today, I'd lay down on the floor next to the dog and just ... be near. With carrots. My dog is 13 lbs, so I cut her baby carrot into half. I'd put some carrot right outside the crate, then a foot farther out, then hold some in my hand.

I'd get a book and just be near, and talk in a calming, happy tone of voice to the dog.

[Anonymous]

Just talk softly and reassuringly to him.
He will eventually begin to feel at home. The poor guy is just unsure of his surroundings. Praise is key!
If he does something you want him to do, praise him vocally and give him food (something like baby carrots or chicken). Don't force anything. He'll come out in his own time. Just show him that he is in a calm, loving home.
If he likes walks, take him on walks!!

[Anonymous]

This is a great place to take dog obedience classes:
http://cdtc.org/

They also offer all kinds of agility training, which your dog might be into, due to breed.

[Anonymous]

Thanks all. Day got better. He came downstairs and laid with me on the floor for awhile. He ate lunch, went #1 again (still no #2), only hid in the bushes once . He had a serious moment when DH came home from the nats game. He isn't usually afraid of him but I guss since he had beenaway at the game the return was tough.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:This is a great place to take dog obedience classes:
http://cdtc.org/

They also offer all kinds of agility training, which your dog might be into, due to breed.

I would probably avoid capital with a fearful dog. All their trainers are volunteers, so they all have different credentials/experience/styles. While some are positive, some are still very old school yank-n-crank. An experienced handler can tell the difference and make the decision to adjust the instruction to fit what they need, but a green handler with a fearful dog needs 100% purely positive training from the get go, in my opinion.