Newly adopted dog - scared of us

I've acquired an ex-breeding bitch from a kennels in the middle of nowhere. She was afraid of her own shadow as her life is so different now, living in a market town. After four months she's settled well and enjoying life, except that now I'm her security blanket and leaving her is the problem! But, she's still timid and a bolter. Anything scares her and she's off into the blue yonder with no idea of direction. Because of the worry of something scaring her, her getting loose and blind panic sending her off goodness knows where, I've invested in a tracker. It attaches to her collar and is very accurate. Once nearby, blue tooth takes over linking with my iPhone to pinpoint her. Might it be an idea for your little dog?

My children have linked their phones to it as well - so, since she goes where I go (mostly), they can track mother as well!

A friend of mine has an ex puppy farm bitch and she is very attached to my friend to the exclusion of everyone else. It’s awful the way some poor dogs are treated which result in them having such problems.

Poor thing you’ll get there with patience you sound very caring. Not on the high st does lovely dog identifiers to put on collars

We've ordered a tracker - some friends are bringing it over in a couple of weeks. Her name tag arrived today and I tried her with a harness.

All these lovely stories from people who have rescued dogs.

Patsy70

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. 😊

He looks lovely. There is a lady near us who has rescued hunting dogs from Spain. She was very helpful with Zelie.

I do feel I should say that I couldn't get a dog from any of the local rescue places. I rather think it may have something to do with my age as no dog seemed to be suitable and of course, they can't say I'm too old as it's ageist,. So, although my dog comes from a breeding kennels, she's a retired breeding bitch, who would normally be brought into the house as a pet. But these dogs are only half way through their life expectancy and there are limits as to how many they can keep indoors! The kennels is fully licenced and regularly checked and she was well treated. Exercised in a paddock and kept with two or three others in a large run with a warm bed. Not so different to how her life would have been in a sanctuary. She knows all the basic commands and is house trained, but had never been on a lead. So for her even living full time in a house with just one person is just so very, very different and she's apparently never been a bold dog. She was even afraid of strange dogs as she'd only met the dogs at the kennels, let alone pavements and people and bustle. Umbrellas, shopping trolleys, BT men in holes, all brought on blind panic attacks and the need to blindly run. We've spent quite a bit of time sitting in cafes and pubs just letting her watch the world! After four months I can now let her off the lead sometimes, sudden noises hold little fear and her tail is up and wagging most of the time. But, I'm keeping the tracker on, just in case! And my dog hadn't been badly abused.

Goodness knows what poor little Zelie has seen and suffered. What hidden fears these dogs have. It can take a long while for them get used to their new lives and to come to terms with the fact they are now safe. Good luck with Zelie. I'm sure she will be fine given time and patience.

My neighbour has a rescued/retired puppy farm Bichon Frise. It is very attached to her other dog but still wary of people. To begin with, it hid for most of the day, then started following the other dog and appearing for meals - now it will actually go out with them for walks. For now, we're not allowed to take any notice of it, to prevent panic attacks, poor thing.

An update

Zelie has accepted me and we get on well. We've had her for about 4 weeks now and a week ago she discovered her voice and I'm pleased about that. Previously she did not utter a sound. Being a hound she bays quite loudly.

The problem that I now have is that whenever my DH is outside she barks at him. The weather is fine at the moment and he is in and out of the garden and house and also his workshop, which she can see. She doesn't bark at him when they're both in the house although she does run away from him and won't walk past him if he's standing up.

If we're watching tv she will sometimes sit at my feet, even if he's sitting in the chair next to me. But if he was to move she would run away.

So, what to do next? I know that we have to be patient. I'm going to get him to give meals to her, or at least put them in the usual place.

Nice to hear Zelie is making progress. Good idea to try letting your DH put her food down. Sounds like he needs to move slowly and at her level?

Dinahmo

An update

Zelie has accepted me and we get on well. We've had her for about 4 weeks now and a week ago she discovered her voice and I'm pleased about that. Previously she did not utter a sound. Being a hound she bays quite loudly.

The problem that I now have is that whenever my DH is outside she barks at him. The weather is fine at the moment and he is in and out of the garden and house and also his workshop, which she can see. She doesn't bark at him when they're both in the house although she does run away from him and won't walk past him if he's standing up.

If we're watching tv she will sometimes sit at my feet, even if he's sitting in the chair next to me. But if he was to move she would run away.

So, what to do next? I know that we have to be patient. I'm going to get him to give meals to her, or at least put them in the usual place.

You’ve done so well and you both have been so loving and patient.

Zelie sounds fabulous and I cannot wait to see a photo

Zelie is now a very different dog to the one that we first saw at the refuge. There was a little kennel that she hid in and we had to stand a little away from the pen waiting for her to come out.

Now we have to make sure that no food is left out because she will get it. Having long legs, she can put her paws onto the island to get anything left. If I tell her non she will get down but it doesn't stop her from trying again. She is into everything. She's still barking at my DH, but not all the time.

She does like affection though. She will sit close to my feet and likes to be stroked. We haven't yet quite reached the cuddling stage.

You are getting there though Dinahmo sounds like she is a character and will be a lovable friend to you when she finally settles.