Help! Help!! Desperately need DOGGIE help!!! Help with a doggie!!!!

I hope this is the correct category....

Since pets are kinda sorta like "family", anyway....

A friend of mine (who lives about 25 miles away, in the center of the city) recently lost her beloved six-year-old spayed female daschund doggie under VERY tragic circumstances.

Her other dog, an eight-year-old neutered male daschund, has been inconsolable since her loss.  So my friend decided to adopt another small dog - a spayed female daschund - one that was RESCUED from a BREEDER....

This poor little dog has LIVED IN A CAGE FOR HER ENTIRE LIFE!!!  All six years of her life - in what was, in effect, a doggie concentration camp...

She is not "socialized" in any way, shape or form.  She's scared to death; she had been living in a foster home for the previous 6 months, but as my friend - let's call her "Tammy" - as "Tammy" says, apparently the foster home had other dogs and wasn't able to focus on this dog.

My friend is a working mother of two teen-agers (who have both agreed to help with the new dog, thank goodness!), but both teens are eventually going off to college, and my friend works full-time.

 They ("Tammy" and her son...) drove 250 miles to pick out and pick up this little doggie.  "Tammy" said that the little doggie was frightened to death - tried to jump out of the car when they stopped for food, then pooped and peed all over the car when they struggled to keep the dog in the car - because it was so frightened.

When they got home, "Tammy" allowed the dog out into their (fenced) back yard, but the dog just tore around the yard in a frenzy.  "Tammy" thought that the dog was enjoying the freedom until she realized that the dog was simply terrified [lived in a cage all of its life], then "Tammy" tried to pick it up to bring it indoors.   The dog bit her.

Finally she opened the back door, and the dog shot inside.  The dog is basically cowering under their kitchen table, won't eat, won't approach ANY humans, and is just a quivering bundle of nerves and fear.

I've told "Tammy" that she needs to become "Doggie Mommie" - be the "pack" leader, but like a MOMMY doggie - provide FOOD and SAFETY for the doggie, so that the dog will BOND with her....   THEN she can move on to other issues, like teaching the dog to use the "doggie" door to use the potty, go for walks, and so on - and I'll say right off, that the first month or two of "walks" should consist of walking the dog IN THE BACK YARD and ONLY in the back yard...

I also told "Tammy" to get one of those doggie harnesses - and she might even need to buy a CAT harness, as the doggie is SO tiny - just so she'll have something to CONTROL the animal with, when she needs to take it to the vets [Friday; and I guess I'll be going along - whee...], and to take it outside to go potty, and so on...

Right now, the doggie has a "puppy pee pad" by the back door, next to the doggie door that the other family dog is using to go out to go potty...

I think that the harness would be a kind way to control the dog until she calms down; much safer and kinder than a "choke" collar, which is what someone else recommended to "Tammy".  As crazy scared as this dog is, I'm afraid something bad might happen with a collar and DEFINITELY with a "choke" collar - those damned things have killed as many dogs as highway traffic, I suspect...

Anyway, to make a long story short - TOO LATE! - if anyone else has EVER had to deal with such a situation, and was successful at socializing the dog, I would LOVE to hear about it!!

P.S.  I found Cesar Millan on "FaceBook" and left a LONG plea for help!! 

[Whadda ya know?    Facebook actually IS good for SOMEthing, after all...]

Thaniks to any and all that can help!!!

Zid

BUMP!!

I recommend getting a harness too - dacshunds can slip a regular collar way too easily.  Also, a dog who is scared will appreciate a kennel (leave the door open) with a soft cushion to hide in.  I had a rescue poodle once - he had no sense of heights and broke his leg trying to jump down from too high up.  A really timid dog will take a while to socialize.

See if your friend has a doggie crate and tell her to set it up in a quite room with no other people or dogs and cover the crate with a blanket and put the dog in the room.  If the dog is scared it makes sense to give them what they are used to.  Your friend doesn't have to lock the dog in the crate but having a small area that she can escape to will help calm her down.  She probably wants to hide and is to scared to move.  A little time and attention and the dog with calm down and be fine.

Yep, a kennel/crate is a must.  Dogs feel safest when they have a space all their own.  Cover the kennel on top and all sides except the entrance with a heavy tarp or blanket.  The dog will feel caved in and safest this way.  

That is so heartbreaking! I know so little about dogs, but I will pass this thread onto a few of my dog friends.

When I got my little white kitten (my avatar) he had spent the first four months of his life in a cage at the humane society. When I brought him home he just tore from one end of the house to the other for days and days.

Definately get a crate, waterbottle, super soft blankets, and a radio playing a  classical music channel. Best to put her in a quiet room away from normal family life..(classical is very soothing and will help calm her nerves) Make the crate cozy, comfy, safe and very inviting as she will be understandably terrified. She will have only known fear and pain at the hands of humans so trust is going to take time and plenty of patience.   Do things which show the pup that your friend means no harm and that she can be trusted. DO NOT force yourself on the dog and this will just frighten her even more... The home must be peaceful and tranquil, any noise will frighten her... Allow the other  dog to show her the ropes and let him be the one to tell her that she is safe and loved. It's amazing how dogs will calm each other down and reassure. This is a very long, painful and exhausting process, taking on a rescue is a project you either love or vow never to do again. When she responds to your friend the love for that dog will be so overwhelming she would gladly do it all again!  

What your friend could do is sit in the room talking very softly, she must stay calm as the dog will feel any negative emotions and will stay well away. Slowly and I mean slowly (could take minutes, could take days)  inch forward still talking softly. Have treats for her aswel. If she moves away or shows any negative reaction, stay put and wait until the pup calms down. I cannot stress how hard this process is, it took two years for Nellie to trust me, then when she did she wouldn't leave me alone lol!

Harness most definately, I hate choke chains with a passion and if I could find the person who invented them I would put one around their neck!

Any problems pm me and I will do my best to help.

Peace

Anyway, to make a long story short - TOO LATE! - if anyone else has EVER had to deal with such a situation, and was successful at socializing the dog, I would LOVE to hear about it!!

Zid,

I've adopted a few rescues over the years.  A dog that has spent its entire life in a kennel can't be suddenly turned out into the open air.  (Obviously)

The dog needs to start with a small, quiet room and an open kennel that they can go into and out of at will.  As the dog gets used to its new environment it will start spending more and more time outside of the kennel.  It's usually at that point where it will start bonding with a person.

It's a lot of work, especially since the dog won't be housebroken for awhile

As the dog becomes more acclimated, you can move up to leash training, short walks and supervised visits outside.  Anytime the dog gets scared though, it needs to go back to the kennel.  Sometimes a loud motorcycle at the wrong time can set you back a whole week. 

The fastest I've ever gotten a dog from kennel to backyard is about six months.

Another thing your friend could do is go into the room where pup is and read a book/paper, write, sort some bits and bobs out ignoring the pup. The pup will find curiosity takes over and will creep out to take a look... Your friend must ignore her and when she gets closer try leaving her hand down so she can have a sniff.

Peace

that dog needs to see a loving dog psychologist.

Also your friend must remember that this pup will be agrophobic so you would treat that like you would a human... Puppy pads are a God send! House training is hard with a rescue as nightmares, raised voices, in fact any form of tension and change will cause her to wee and poop herself... Having  a rescue is not like having a ''normal'' dog, you have to go about it in a completely different way. Sid has violent nightmares and when we wake him he looks at us as the ones who used to hurt him and desperately tries to get away, he shakes violently and tears roll down his face... It's frightening, I just hope your friend has the time and patience for this poor little pup.

Peace

It is so heartbreaking. Has a vet giving a prognosis? The poor darling.

Wow, thanks for all of the wonderful replies!!! 

I've been talking with my friend off and on today; she's taken off work early to check up on the dog again.

The dog was housed at a "foster" home for six months, but I just learned that the foster home ALSO had around 40 other dogs...  So this poor little sweetie must have gotten lost in the crowd....

She has found the puppy pad and has used it, so her digestion appears to be normal and healthy.  As she was in "foster" care, she was taken to the vets regularly, she was spayed, given her shots, her teeth were checked and dental work was done [something about breeder dogs - poor nutrition, stress of being caged - seems to destroy their teeth.  Many of the "breeder rescues" end up with NO teeth whatsoever...]

But this doggie was rescued in time to save most of her teeth.  As I stated earlier, the doggie is going to the vets on Friday for ANOTHER tooth check-up, just to be sure.

"Tammy" has just found out that the doggie has deformed hind paws; she's missing all but one toe on each rear paw.  Not that one would realize it, the way the dog gets around.  She's already picked up the harness and will be putting the dog into it this afternoon.

The doggie has chosen the area under the kitchen table as her "sanctum sanctorium".  The doggie - "Ellie" - has begun exploring the house - a GOOD sign! - and has actually started taking small bits of food from "Tammy's" hand - ANOTHER good sign!!

There's hope, thank goodness!!

I dunno about a "crate" - since the dog was caged for so long, I wonder whether a crate would feel familiar - or just like another prison.  She seems pretty happy underneath the kitchen table, but I'll know more when I see her on Friday.

The suggestions to read to the doggie - "Ellie" - or just do stuff - works very well with the kitchen table.  It's a hub of activity, but with enough of a "recessed" area to provide her with a dark, safe spot - and keeps her near the food, to boot!

Both "Tammy" and I are feeling much more hopeful, now...

Thanks again for all of your replies!!

Zid

Oh, and "Tammy's" neutered eight-year-old male daschund is behaving in a friendly fashion towards little "Ellie" - but maybe that's because he's gotten into her food and has eaten more of it than he should!!

maybe a long tablecloth/blanket over the table would be cave like enough to suit the dog, but I still favor a proper crate.  It doesn't have to be really small, but it does help contain the mess from a non-housebroken dog.  The biggest issue I had with my rescue dogs was the difficulty in house breaking them.  I have a pretty low tolerance for bathroom accidents - it really grosses me out - and I like to know that I'm not going to find a pile or a puddle in an unexpected place.

Ah!  I see now...

As far as I can tell, "Ellie" IS semi-housebroken - she found the 'puppy-pad' by the back door and knew how to use it, all while my frind was at work...

I'm going to give my friend a synopsis of the replies here, the next time she calls...

Again, thanks!

Get a super soft bed to go under the table... Sounds like she is improving alreaady that's fantastic news!

Sid has a few back teeth and three fangs, it's awful to think that the stress of being in a puppy farm has done this... Humans made me sick!

Peace

Thanks, Watersprout!  Yeah, "Tammy" has already made a run to the local PetSmart and has picked up wet doggie food, a soft doggie bed, a harness [she already has a retractable leash = but as TD pointed out, it will be some time before that leash is used for actual walks...

I suggested that she use it to take the doggie outside to go potty at night - as the doggie is able to tolerate the out-of-doors...

She's going to put the doggie bed under the kitchen table...

I'm looking forward to seeing the dog - "Ellie"- on Friday, but I can't approach the dog in the same way as I did the sweet, dearly departed little female daschund  who was a real sweetie...

I'll say this, it's going to be an education for both "Tammy" and I...

Zid it will be totally worth it! The people that I have spoken to  that have had rexcues, would only ever had rescues now. Hard work, very frustrating but soooooo worth it!

Peace

Man, Watersprout, all my critters are rescues, even my hamsters, but....

I've NEVER hauled a critter's butt off of the street, that wasn't at least a LITTLE bit "socialized" - and I've tamed and rescued FERAL cats!!!   (Which is why I keep telling my friend to establish an intimate "FOOD" connection with the dog, and go from there...)

But man!  An animal kept in a CAGE for SIX YEARS??????    Where the heck do you start?  Will she even EAT wet food?  Will she even KNOW that wet food is "food"???

And she'll take a LONG time to just get over her fear of the back yard - will she EVER be able to go on walks???

I mean, even the FERAL CATS that I've rescued, haven't been THAT bad off!!  At least they've had some experience with wide-open spaces, traffic, dogs, and so on and so forth...

Seriously, when I said "doggie concentration camp", that's the closest example I could think of - and this poor thing was BORN into it!!

It's a daunting challenge...  Good thing that her kids are on-board with it, too...