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Newly adopted dog - scared of us

(63 Posts)
Dinahmo Fri 16-Feb-24 14:58:19

My lovely Ruby was put to sleep just after Christmas because the cancer finally got her. Ronnie, our other blind dog was adopted 3 to 4 years ago and fitted in well with us. Sadly he got out - a gate although closed was not properly latched. We hunted every where, leafleted and put up posters but very sadly he was killed on a road the other side of our village.

I'm one of those people who needs a distraction when a pet dog dies and I was looking for a new companion for Ronnie.
I had found one, a 7 year old Griffon Vendeen, in a refuge. We decided that we would adopt her and collected her on Tuesday. Apparently she had been badly treated and was wary of men. Last year she was adopted by a young woman who had been doing well with her but sadly, her new owner is now in hospital with cancer and so Zelie was up for rehoming again.

Previous dogs that we've adopted have got used to us very quickly but Zelie is wary of us and we cannot get close to her.
We only managed to get a lead on her yesterday. We have left it on so that we don't have the same problem again.

Perhaps it's because we don't have another dog in the house?

I know that we should not force our attention or affection on to her but wait until she comes to us. If we leave the living room she will follow from a distance.

So any ideas of what to do next?

MayBee70 Mon 19-Feb-24 19:08:59

It is actually against the law for a dog to not wear a name tag if it isn’t in your house or on your property.

Iam64 Mon 19-Feb-24 19:46:40

She can’t be off lead unless in totally secure area. Use a long line on a harness in your garden providing she can’t get out, let it run behind her, any risk she can get out, hold the line
Practice recall - get Pippa Middleton Perfeft Recall book, read it, follow it

Recall includes a tiny high value treat (roast chicken) every singly time she looks at yiu, throw a tiny treat, she comes nearer you, treat. Initially don’t even call her if she finds it scary, Judy praise and treat any behaviour yiu want repeated

Joseann Mon 19-Feb-24 20:11:46

MayBee70

It is actually against the law for a dog to not wear a name tag if it isn’t in your house or on your property.

Is that the case in France, Dinahmo?
I think it might not be the same*?

Smileless2012 Mon 19-Feb-24 20:14:50

Love and patience will get you there in the end. Previously badly treated and then taken from a home where she was loved because circumstances changed, she must be very bewildered.

Fingers crossed for you.

MayBee70 Mon 19-Feb-24 21:04:32

Joseann

MayBee70

It is actually against the law for a dog to not wear a name tag if it isn’t in your house or on your property.

Is that the case in France, Dinahmo?
I think it might not be the same*?

That is just the UK. It’s one of the first things they told us at training classes because not many people know about it along with having to be restrained in cars.

Joseann Mon 19-Feb-24 21:18:08

Thanks, Maybee70, our dog has a tag in the UK. Well he has one every few months because he loses them somehow even though we use a cable tie through the clip. We travel to France three or four times a year, so Sod's Law he will mislay it there too. At least he won't be illegal without one, but maybe I should take a spare anyway.
I think Dinahmo lives in France hence the question.

Dinahmo Mon 19-Feb-24 23:01:55

No I don't think it is illegal. She is microchipped and that is the law here I used to get name tags but they kept falling off.

Callistemon21 Mon 19-Feb-24 23:33:50

Iam64

She can’t be off lead unless in totally secure area. Use a long line on a harness in your garden providing she can’t get out, let it run behind her, any risk she can get out, hold the line
Practice recall - get Pippa Middleton Perfeft Recall book, read it, follow it

Recall includes a tiny high value treat (roast chicken) every singly time she looks at yiu, throw a tiny treat, she comes nearer you, treat. Initially don’t even call her if she finds it scary, Judy praise and treat any behaviour yiu want repeated

I think it's Pippa Mattinson 🙂

I hope patience will win through, Dinahmo.
You sound as if you have plenty.

Iam64 Tue 20-Feb-24 08:46:04

Yes it is Callistemon, apologies to the sister of the princess of wales
Pippa Mattinson is an expert on labs and her methods work with any breed

Dinahmo Thu 22-Feb-24 18:46:30

Having arrived back on Monday she spent the night in the garden, also Tuesday because we just couldn't entice her in. Yesterday a lady who rescues Spanish hunting dogs came over to advise/help. She tried and Zelie went close to her but not close enough. In the end 4 of us cornered her and we were able to catch her. So she is now indoors and we are starting again the process of getting her used to us. Having finished my work for today I am going to feed her and sit on the floor for the rest of the evening and hope she comes close to me. It;s going to be a long process I think.

Iam64 Thu 22-Feb-24 18:57:35

Good luck Dinahmo, you’re right this will be a long process. Our charity recently trapped two young dogs, who’d been living wild after abandoned/or escape puppy farm. Their foster carers both dog trainers/behaviourists. I’d say a month before any trust began to be established x

flappergirl Thu 22-Feb-24 20:42:22

It will be a long process Dinahmo but it will suddenly happen and all this will be forgotten. You very loving owners and she will realise that.

Ali23 Thu 22-Feb-24 21:35:30

We are preparing ourselves to take on a n older puppy who has been fostered and we’ve just discovered this article.

craftycanineclub.com/adopting-a-rescue-dog-how-to-help-them-adjust-to-the-first-3-days-in-a-new-home/

I thought maybe it could help with the starting again.

Good luck!

Oldbat1 Thu 22-Feb-24 22:14:39

My nervous hound weve had 6yrs and he is still a flight risk so can only get off in a rented special dog park. He is scared of his own shadow. My other two are the complete opposite. All rescue and all had a very difficult start in life. Good luck.

Grandmafrench Thu 22-Feb-24 23:06:47

Griffons are superb dogs. We have had 2, both rescues and the first one a pup. The second had a terrible history but turned into such a darling and so wise.....eventually! The 'adventures', the frights she gave us, the reluctance to come near us for a long time when she first arrived were so difficult. What you really need is the assistance of another easy-going and outgoing dog; one who can encourage her to relax and follow the lead of another who is simply not afraid. Most rescue centres advise that homes with an already well-adjusted dog are the best way of giving a badly treated animal a chance to accept a new, loving home. Maybe you have a friend with a good-natured dog or 2 - who could visit and will shield your new girl from. being the focus of attention and give her some fun? Well done for offering Ronnie's place to a lost soul.

Joseann Fri 23-Feb-24 08:28:52

Fingers crossed Dinahmo, step by step you will soon see an improvement.

Dinahmo Wed 28-Feb-24 17:44:22

She's starting to settle down quite nicely but is still scared of my DH. We took her to the vet yesterday,just for a quick check and she went to him straight away. She even ate a treat after being given a wormer. She will sometimes accept a treat from my hand.

I bought the longest training lead yesterday but she gets in entwined around her legs because the ring for the lead is under her chin. So tomorrow I'm going to get a harness for her.

I'm happy with the situation at present. It can only get better and she is very sweet natured.

Iam64 Wed 28-Feb-24 18:02:14

Thanks for the update, sounds good. I use a harness with a long line, it helps when it trails. 💖🐕

kircubbin2000 Wed 28-Feb-24 19:37:42

It might be better to rheometer him if you want a friendly loving pet. I had to send back my cat as he turned on me and took a massive bite out of my leg. My new cat just likes to be left alone but he is not aggressive. Unfortunately he doesn't like other cats so I can't get a cuddly one.

Iam64 Wed 28-Feb-24 19:41:50

It’s very early days for this fearful dog. Dinahmo is committed to her as her posts show. Rescue dogs recover in 3’s, 3 days, 3 weeks and 3 months before yiu get a real idea of your rescues personality.

Dinahmo Wed 28-Feb-24 21:18:52

kircubbin2000

It might be better to rheometer him if you want a friendly loving pet. I had to send back my cat as he turned on me and took a massive bite out of my leg. My new cat just likes to be left alone but he is not aggressive. Unfortunately he doesn't like other cats so I can't get a cuddly one.

We've had her for just 2 weeks. She has not shown any aggression towards us and is very sweet natured so far. There's no way that I would rehome her because she has been through enough already.

Our vet thought she was good natured. She let him give a worming pill without any difficulty.

Dinahmo Wed 28-Feb-24 21:19:49

I shall post a pic once she's had a bath. The general advice is not to bathe her just yet since it will scare her.

Patsy70 Wed 28-Feb-24 22:03:10

We have a rescued dog from Spain. He’s been with us for nearly 6 years now and has been challenging, but is adorable and so friendly with everyone, apart from cats! Good luck with yours. 😊

notoveryet Thu 29-Feb-24 06:02:54

My laid back labrador was the real help for my fearful rescue collie. It all takes time and patience, he used to attempt to bite my arm when I first tried to get a lead on him but I so remember the first time he approached me and put his head on my lap. Every now and then I can see shadows from his past, he was terrified of a rolled umbrella which I guess looked like a stick to him. I would never have given up with him and he's now a loving boy laying next to me as I write this.

Joseann Thu 29-Feb-24 08:09:59

Such lovely stories of perseverance and trust.