abused... - YorkieTalk.com Forums

dyan122 · 01-18-2006, 04:18 PM

I got my yorkie mixed from the shelter..I knew she was abused but i didnt think she would be so untrusting and scared. Does anyone know how to get an abused dog to open up. I think i'm doing ok...shes starting to walk around the house now..but she always trying to hide and she wont go to anyone.

any advice??

simonandhallie · 01-18-2006, 04:27 PM

Lots of patience. Try getting down to her level ALL the time even when she is hiding and talkin gto her in a soft, kind voice. She will adjust but it takes a lot of work for them to trust again.

How long have you had her? Remember you and the surroundings are all new and she doesn't know what is safe and what isn't. It will take a lot of time and compassion on your part but she will be okay. She will need some alone time as well (at least that was my experience with Hallie) and some quiet.

Does she have a "safe" place she can go of her own like a kennel or a little house? That may help as well. Good Luck on your new baby!

dyan122 · 01-18-2006, 04:37 PM

Thank you. i just got her yesterday. I think she's doing ok. like i said shes starting to walk a lot more. last night and this morning (before i went to school)she wouldnt walk. wheni came home.i took her out to pee and she did..but she wont walk on the leash. she just stands there. She hides under chairs and tables just to watch.
Yes she does have a kennel to be in. But i always have to pull her out to go pee. This morning and afternoon i had to pull her out. Is this a good idea.

simonandhallie · 01-18-2006, 04:49 PM

Oh she is still adjusting. If she has only been with you for one day she is still figuring out if it's a safe place or not. Yes you will need to get her so she can potty and you will need to train her to use a leash as she probably never has. If she is already walking around and checking things out I'd say she is off to a good start. Just be patient and let her adjust on her own terms. Just talk to her and maybe crawl under the table with her and pet her for awhile (sounds silly but it will help).

I am so happy you rescued her, that thrills me to no end.

YorkieShadow · 01-18-2006, 05:41 PM

Awww That is so sweet of you to rescue her. If she has been abused it may take some time for her to trust you.I agree with what was already said about getting down to her levil and talking sweet to her. even if you get up set with her Please never raise your voice at her. let her know its ok. once you win her trust you will for ever be her hero.

deb4air · 01-18-2006, 05:45 PM

Good luck with your new doggie sounds like your doing a good job .

chuckandnan · 01-18-2006, 05:53 PM

Oh this baby was so in need of you. Please do everything you can to make her feel loved. I know one thing that my baby loves and that is a warm blanket straight out of the dryer. I warm it up and cuddle her in it. She following me to the dryer when she sees me with her blanket ....and just can't wait tell I take it out. I just rock her and pat her little butt. She just loves it. Also, when I take her out of the sink after her bath, I always take warm towels and hold her for a long time before I blow her dry. She is so much better. Little ones need alot of love and your baby needs even more. Please let us know how it comes along. I'm no expert, but we all know how to love our babies.

livingdustmops · 01-18-2006, 05:59 PM

I have worked rescue and have 10 rescued Yorkies of which some have been pulled from the pound or humane society. I have a great deal of experience with these little guys and my words of wisdom are: GO SLOW AND HAVE PATIENCE. The first thing you have to do is have a safe place for your little one so they can feel more secure than what she just went through. You almost have to ignore her until she starts wandering over to you or when you feed her. I always give them plenty of room and do not put your face near hers until she is coming to you. You should talk in a very low quiet voice and no sudden movements or loud noises. Food will be a big motivator to her. What are you going to feed her.

I strongly suggest that you take her to a vet and have a full blood panel worked up on her to see if there are any problems and I would take a stool also. Your vet will also need to check her teeth out.

Each dog handles rescue and the horror's of a shelter differently but just be careful and understand she will not be reacting like a new puppy would at first. She might be in a full fear aggression mode and could bite you so taking it slow is important.

Why do you think your little one was abused? Did the shelter tell you this?

How old is she?

Please feel free to PM me with any questions you might have.

dyan122 · 01-18-2006, 06:09 PM

the person that rescued her thought she was. She's very skiddish and refuses to go to people. if you pick her up...she shakes. I"m feeding her Iams dog food, the one that comes in the red bag. Shes wasnt eat it so i mixed a little chicken and rice with the food but she only ate the rice and chicken...she might have eaten a little of the dog food.

Marie · 01-18-2006, 06:13 PM

I wanted to wish you good luck with your new pup. Like others mentioned Go slow, be patience and go to her level.

livingdustmops · 01-18-2006, 06:37 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dyan122

the person that rescued her thought she was. She's very skiddish and refuses to go to people. if you pick her up...she shakes. I"m feeding her Iams dog food, the one that comes in the red bag. Shes wasnt eat it so i mixed a little chicken and rice with the food but she only ate the rice and chicken...she might have eaten a little of the dog food.

How did the person get her that did the rescue? Was she in the pound and they pulled her? Is this person a Yorkie person or just rescue in general?

A better food for her would be natural balance than Iams. Iams has to much corn and besides they do live animal testing on products. I boycott any Iams products. I would mix some wet with the dry as your first order of business is to get her to eat.

If you wave your arm over her head does she duck?

Just because she is skiddish and refuses to go to people does not mean she was abused. A couple of mine do this and they were not abused. Some time these things take time to figure out.

dyan122 · 01-18-2006, 07:00 PM

the person i got her from just does dog rescues. She gets them from animal control before animal control euthanizes them.
alright, i'll switch dog foods. and about her, she never wants to get out of her kennel. I always have to pull her out to let her go potty and when i walk her outside, she just stands there, she never really walks. A couple minutes ago, i took her out to potty and she walks around and does her thing then she'll walk a little bit and then just stop.
Do you think she was abused?? i'm not sure, i just assumed it cause thats what the lady told me. and what should i do about her.

livingdustmops · 01-18-2006, 07:25 PM

If this Yorkie was in the pound she was tramatized by this experience. So she might have been abused and she might not. Just think if you were dumped in the city jail how scary that would have been for you. She went from a home she knew, to the pound, to another ladies house that probably had many dogs and maybe large dogs and now she is at your home. That is alot for a little dog to handle. It was a cold and scary place and animals can smell death and believe me there was alot of death going on at the pound. Just try to imagine if it had been you how you would be feeling and what it would take to bring you out of your shell. She might have been abused but I am not sure that means anything at this time. Down the road it will but right now it is more important she learns to trust you.

About the leash and walking. She might have never been on a leash or even understands how to walk on a leash. Were you walking and she stopped or were you standing there? She might be trying to figure out what you want.

When she does something you like talk in a little girl high voice and praise her and gently pet her and give her a treat. Treats will be your friend during this transition time.

1st you need to make her feel warm and safe. Good food and a good hiding place (her kennel works for her) and being low keyed. This will take a number of days or weeks...do not try to push her. Try to imagine she is a wild dog and you sit quietly letting her get used to you. Have treats so she understands you are her food source.

2nd. Do not assume she understands what you want as in the leash. She might not know what this is. You didn't say how big she was but a harness is much better for her than a leash. Does she go potty when you take her outside? Has she had accidents in the house? Be careful with this one because it could be why the family dumped her at the pound and they did a lot of yelling at her.

Where is she sleeping at night? If you are not opposed to her sleeping with you then I would bring her into your bed as they feel very warm and safe with a human and the bonding process goes faster.

Also I would not take her around alot of other people at this time..it will only scare her and cause her more confusion. She just needs to get used to you first and learn that you will protect her.

Down the road you could take her to training classes if she can deal being around other dogs or you might want to pick up a book on training for the basics.

Also you need to understand these little ones will be very shell shocked and they come in with what we call the Honeymoon period. They can be very well behaved, no barking and no craziness and then they start to relax and show their true personality. This can take a number of weeks so just be on the lookout but it just means she is getting more comfortable.

You have done a wonderful thing. Keep the questions/answers coming.

livingdustmops · 01-18-2006, 07:27 PM

P.S. Have you booked a vet visit yet? How much did the rescue do? Is she spayed? How old do they think she is?

dyan122 · 01-18-2006, 09:20 PM

The rescue lady got her vaccinated, spayed, microchipped, hearworm testing, and worming for parasites. shes about a year and a half. She just got spayed last monday and i think thats why shes a little quiet and not wanting to do much. I plan on going to the vet in like 2 weeks or so...after her stitches heal up just in case they have to do anything on her.

Since 4 this afternoon, i've been taking her out a couple times. They way shes been doing is...she walks for a while and then stops..and i kinda tug on her and she just stays. I havent quite understood her yet. She'll walk a good distance and then she wants to go on the road (i dont let her do that) i tighten the leash ( i bought the retractable one) and once that happens she just stops and stays for like 5 minutes in the same spot and then starts walking for a little more and then she wants to get back on the road..and everything happens again..after a while..i just pick her up and go back in.

Shes been doing pretty good about going potty. She went once and i caught her and she finished outside so i was real happy. I've been taking her out almost every 2 hours and shes only gone like twice since 4 this afternoon. I think she's doing pretty good on that. During the day while i'm in school, i keep her in her kennel b/c im doing the crate training for her. As for now, i dont really have any problems with this area.

As for eating, she won't eat anything. She won't even eat any of the treats. I got her Purin BOnz..is that bad? i pretty much bought everything from Petsmart. But I think one of the reasons she didnt eat today is that she finished her teeth cleaning bone that i put in her kennel last night. I didnt notice until i looked in her kennel about an hour ago that it was all gone. She had finished the whole thing today! That might be one of the reasons she didnt eat today. i'm not sure..i'll see how she does tomorow.

about sleeping with me at night, i really wanted to do that. but I move around A LOT! and im scared i'm going to squish her and keep her up all night especially since she has her stitches right now.
(I originally planned on her letting sleep with me at night buti wanted to see how she does with potty training.)But then i she got spayed and had her stitches...do you think i should still let her sleep with me? I do have a pretty big bed considering im really small.

I JUST WANNA SAY THAAAAAANNK YOOU SOO MUCH FOR ALL YOUR HELP!!

01-18-2006, 04:18 PM	#1
dyan122 Yorkie Yakker Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: HOuston Posts: 32	abused... I got my yorkie mixed from the shelter..I knew she was abused but i didnt think she would be so untrusting and scared. Does anyone know how to get an abused dog to open up. I think i'm doing ok...shes starting to walk around the house now..but she always trying to hide and she wont go to anyone. any advice??

01-18-2006, 05:45 PM	#6
deb4air Donating YT 2000 Club Member Join Date: Dec 2005 Location: new york Posts: 3,168	Good luck with your new doggie sounds like your doing a good job . __________________ Deb and Miss Mini

01-18-2006, 05:53 PM	#7
chuckandnan Donating Yorkie Yakker Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: Greeley CO Posts: 172	Oh this baby was so in need of you. Please do everything you can to make her feel loved. I know one thing that my baby loves and that is a warm blanket straight out of the dryer. I warm it up and cuddle her in it. She following me to the dryer when she sees me with her blanket ....and just can't wait tell I take it out. I just rock her and pat her little butt. She just loves it. Also, when I take her out of the sink after her bath, I always take warm towels and hold her for a long time before I blow her dry. She is so much better. Little ones need alot of love and your baby needs even more. Please let us know how it comes along. I'm no expert, but we all know how to love our babies. __________________ Dollie's Mom

01-18-2006, 05:59 PM	#8
livingdustmops Princess Poop A Lot Donating Member Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: Colorado Posts: 6,728	I have worked rescue and have 10 rescued Yorkies of which some have been pulled from the pound or humane society. I have a great deal of experience with these little guys and my words of wisdom are: GO SLOW AND HAVE PATIENCE. The first thing you have to do is have a safe place for your little one so they can feel more secure than what she just went through. You almost have to ignore her until she starts wandering over to you or when you feed her. I always give them plenty of room and do not put your face near hers until she is coming to you. You should talk in a very low quiet voice and no sudden movements or loud noises. Food will be a big motivator to her. What are you going to feed her. I strongly suggest that you take her to a vet and have a full blood panel worked up on her to see if there are any problems and I would take a stool also. Your vet will also need to check her teeth out. Each dog handles rescue and the horror's of a shelter differently but just be careful and understand she will not be reacting like a new puppy would at first. She might be in a full fear aggression mode and could bite you so taking it slow is important. Why do you think your little one was abused? Did the shelter tell you this? How old is she? Please feel free to PM me with any questions you might have. __________________ Cindy & The Rescued Gang Puppies Are Not Products!

01-18-2006, 06:13 PM	#10
Marie Mom loves Gucci Donating Member Join Date: Oct 2004 Location: New York City Posts: 6,427	I wanted to wish you good luck with your new pup. Like others mentioned Go slow, be patience and go to her level. __________________ Huggies, Gucci and Marie http://www.dogster.com/?132187 "I have been egged"

01-18-2006, 04:27 PM	#2
simonandhallie *I Love My Monkeys!* Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: Falling Waters, WV Posts: 11,166	Lots of patience. Try getting down to her level ALL the time even when she is hiding and talkin gto her in a soft, kind voice. She will adjust but it takes a lot of work for them to trust again. How long have you had her? Remember you and the surroundings are all new and she doesn't know what is safe and what isn't. It will take a lot of time and compassion on your part but she will be okay. She will need some alone time as well (at least that was my experience with Hallie) and some quiet. Does she have a "safe" place she can go of her own like a kennel or a little house? That may help as well. Good Luck on your new baby!

01-18-2006, 04:37 PM	#3
dyan122 Yorkie Yakker Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: HOuston Posts: 32	Thank you. i just got her yesterday. I think she's doing ok. like i said shes starting to walk a lot more. last night and this morning (before i went to school)she wouldnt walk. wheni came home.i took her out to pee and she did..but she wont walk on the leash. she just stands there. She hides under chairs and tables just to watch. Yes she does have a kennel to be in. But i always have to pull her out to go pee. This morning and afternoon i had to pull her out. Is this a good idea.

01-18-2006, 04:49 PM	#4
simonandhallie *I Love My Monkeys!* Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: Falling Waters, WV Posts: 11,166	Oh she is still adjusting. If she has only been with you for one day she is still figuring out if it's a safe place or not. Yes you will need to get her so she can potty and you will need to train her to use a leash as she probably never has. If she is already walking around and checking things out I'd say she is off to a good start. Just be patient and let her adjust on her own terms. Just talk to her and maybe crawl under the table with her and pet her for awhile (sounds silly but it will help). I am so happy you rescued her, that thrills me to no end.

01-18-2006, 05:41 PM	#5
YorkieShadow BANNED! Join Date: Jul 2005 Location: USA Posts: 9,999	Awww That is so sweet of you to rescue her. If she has been abused it may take some time for her to trust you.I agree with what was already said about getting down to her levil and talking sweet to her. even if you get up set with her Please never raise your voice at her. let her know its ok. once you win her trust you will for ever be her hero.

01-18-2006, 06:09 PM	#9
dyan122 Yorkie Yakker Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: HOuston Posts: 32	the person that rescued her thought she was. She's very skiddish and refuses to go to people. if you pick her up...she shakes. I"m feeding her Iams dog food, the one that comes in the red bag. Shes wasnt eat it so i mixed a little chicken and rice with the food but she only ate the rice and chicken...she might have eaten a little of the dog food.

01-18-2006, 07:00 PM	#12
dyan122 Yorkie Yakker Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: HOuston Posts: 32	the person i got her from just does dog rescues. She gets them from animal control before animal control euthanizes them. alright, i'll switch dog foods. and about her, she never wants to get out of her kennel. I always have to pull her out to let her go potty and when i walk her outside, she just stands there, she never really walks. A couple minutes ago, i took her out to potty and she walks around and does her thing then she'll walk a little bit and then just stop. Do you think she was abused?? i'm not sure, i just assumed it cause thats what the lady told me. and what should i do about her.

01-18-2006, 07:25 PM	#13
livingdustmops Princess Poop A Lot Donating Member Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: Colorado Posts: 6,728	If this Yorkie was in the pound she was tramatized by this experience. So she might have been abused and she might not. Just think if you were dumped in the city jail how scary that would have been for you. She went from a home she knew, to the pound, to another ladies house that probably had many dogs and maybe large dogs and now she is at your home. That is alot for a little dog to handle. It was a cold and scary place and animals can smell death and believe me there was alot of death going on at the pound. Just try to imagine if it had been you how you would be feeling and what it would take to bring you out of your shell. She might have been abused but I am not sure that means anything at this time. Down the road it will but right now it is more important she learns to trust you. About the leash and walking. She might have never been on a leash or even understands how to walk on a leash. Were you walking and she stopped or were you standing there? She might be trying to figure out what you want. When she does something you like talk in a little girl high voice and praise her and gently pet her and give her a treat. Treats will be your friend during this transition time. 1st you need to make her feel warm and safe. Good food and a good hiding place (her kennel works for her) and being low keyed. This will take a number of days or weeks...do not try to push her. Try to imagine she is a wild dog and you sit quietly letting her get used to you. Have treats so she understands you are her food source. 2nd. Do not assume she understands what you want as in the leash. She might not know what this is. You didn't say how big she was but a harness is much better for her than a leash. Does she go potty when you take her outside? Has she had accidents in the house? Be careful with this one because it could be why the family dumped her at the pound and they did a lot of yelling at her. Where is she sleeping at night? If you are not opposed to her sleeping with you then I would bring her into your bed as they feel very warm and safe with a human and the bonding process goes faster. Also I would not take her around alot of other people at this time..it will only scare her and cause her more confusion. She just needs to get used to you first and learn that you will protect her. Down the road you could take her to training classes if she can deal being around other dogs or you might want to pick up a book on training for the basics. Also you need to understand these little ones will be very shell shocked and they come in with what we call the Honeymoon period. They can be very well behaved, no barking and no craziness and then they start to relax and show their true personality. This can take a number of weeks so just be on the lookout but it just means she is getting more comfortable. You have done a wonderful thing. Keep the questions/answers coming. __________________ Cindy & The Rescued Gang Puppies Are Not Products!

01-18-2006, 07:27 PM	#14
livingdustmops Princess Poop A Lot Donating Member Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: Colorado Posts: 6,728	P.S. Have you booked a vet visit yet? How much did the rescue do? Is she spayed? How old do they think she is? __________________ Cindy & The Rescued Gang Puppies Are Not Products!

01-18-2006, 09:20 PM	#15
dyan122 Yorkie Yakker Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: HOuston Posts: 32	The rescue lady got her vaccinated, spayed, microchipped, hearworm testing, and worming for parasites. shes about a year and a half. She just got spayed last monday and i think thats why shes a little quiet and not wanting to do much. I plan on going to the vet in like 2 weeks or so...after her stitches heal up just in case they have to do anything on her. Since 4 this afternoon, i've been taking her out a couple times. They way shes been doing is...she walks for a while and then stops..and i kinda tug on her and she just stays. I havent quite understood her yet. She'll walk a good distance and then she wants to go on the road (i dont let her do that) i tighten the leash ( i bought the retractable one) and once that happens she just stops and stays for like 5 minutes in the same spot and then starts walking for a little more and then she wants to get back on the road..and everything happens again..after a while..i just pick her up and go back in. Shes been doing pretty good about going potty. She went once and i caught her and she finished outside so i was real happy. I've been taking her out almost every 2 hours and shes only gone like twice since 4 this afternoon. I think she's doing pretty good on that. During the day while i'm in school, i keep her in her kennel b/c im doing the crate training for her. As for now, i dont really have any problems with this area. As for eating, she won't eat anything. She won't even eat any of the treats. I got her Purin BOnz..is that bad? i pretty much bought everything from Petsmart. But I think one of the reasons she didnt eat today is that she finished her teeth cleaning bone that i put in her kennel last night. I didnt notice until i looked in her kennel about an hour ago that it was all gone. She had finished the whole thing today! That might be one of the reasons she didnt eat today. i'm not sure..i'll see how she does tomorow. about sleeping with me at night, i really wanted to do that. but I move around A LOT! and im scared i'm going to squish her and keep her up all night especially since she has her stitches right now. (I originally planned on her letting sleep with me at night buti wanted to see how she does with potty training.)But then i she got spayed and had her stitches...do you think i should still let her sleep with me? I do have a pretty big bed considering im really small. I JUST WANNA SAY THAAAAAANNK YOOU SOO MUCH FOR ALL YOUR HELP!!