Newly adopted dog - scared of us

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

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.

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

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?

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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

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.

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!

Such lovely stories of perseverance and trust.

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.

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. 😊

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.

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.

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.

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.

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

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.

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

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.

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.

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!