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mblab · 10-08-2008, 05:45 PM

I'm sure there will be much more knowledgeable people that can give you advise. But I'll do my best to calm your fears and give you some good info.

Any dog will have a short period where they need to adjust. Regardless of the situation it seems normal for a few days or a week for the dog to be "off" and shy, while they adjust from their old environment to their new home. My little Zoë was 12 weeks old and well socialized when she came home with us. She ate very little the first week, but exhibited no other signs of distress. She started eating a tiny bit more within a week or two and it was obvious she'd gotten comfortable and transitioned.

Have you taken her to a vet since you took her home? The first step in bringing a dog home is making sure that they're healthy (regardless of where they came from). That's at least a good start!

You said you worried about dogs that aren't socialized by 16 weeks of age, how old is your dog? Also know that a dog's ability to adjust to a new home may be somewhat dependent on their prior environment. So if things where she was before is very different from life with you than of course she is going to have a bit of a difficult time figuring things out.

As far as food, not eating a lot at first is not abnormal, just make sure she's getting some food in her system. If she's very young make sure she gets nutrical if she starts showing any signs of hypogylcemia. Also, as you feeding her what she used to eat or are you feeding her something new? If she's having troubles transitioning keeping her food the same for a little while would help things!

Also, as far as her being shy, you said she mostly "hides" or cowers in her crate instead of playing with you or your family. Do you have children? If so, they could be scaring your little one, instead of encouraging her to be with you.
Don't force her out of her crate, if that's where she feels comfortable then let her be there. But you could try to encourage her to come out and play with treats. Never be above bribing!

When she's out give her treats so she realizes that it's fun to be out with the family she gets yummy treats and lots of praise and petting when that happens!

Best of luck! Hopefully others will be able to give you some good/better advise!

10-08-2008, 05:45 PM	#2
mblab Donating YT 500 Club Member Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: Tallahassee, Florida Posts: 723	I'm sure there will be much more knowledgeable people that can give you advise. But I'll do my best to calm your fears and give you some good info. Any dog will have a short period where they need to adjust. Regardless of the situation it seems normal for a few days or a week for the dog to be "off" and shy, while they adjust from their old environment to their new home. My little Zoë was 12 weeks old and well socialized when she came home with us. She ate very little the first week, but exhibited no other signs of distress. She started eating a tiny bit more within a week or two and it was obvious she'd gotten comfortable and transitioned. Have you taken her to a vet since you took her home? The first step in bringing a dog home is making sure that they're healthy (regardless of where they came from). That's at least a good start! You said you worried about dogs that aren't socialized by 16 weeks of age, how old is your dog? Also know that a dog's ability to adjust to a new home may be somewhat dependent on their prior environment. So if things where she was before is very different from life with you than of course she is going to have a bit of a difficult time figuring things out. As far as food, not eating a lot at first is not abnormal, just make sure she's getting some food in her system. If she's very young make sure she gets nutrical if she starts showing any signs of hypogylcemia. Also, as you feeding her what she used to eat or are you feeding her something new? If she's having troubles transitioning keeping her food the same for a little while would help things! Also, as far as her being shy, you said she mostly "hides" or cowers in her crate instead of playing with you or your family. Do you have children? If so, they could be scaring your little one, instead of encouraging her to be with you. Don't force her out of her crate, if that's where she feels comfortable then let her be there. But you could try to encourage her to come out and play with treats. Never be above bribing! When she's out give her treats so she realizes that it's fun to be out with the family she gets yummy treats and lots of praise and petting when that happens! Best of luck! Hopefully others will be able to give you some good/better advise! Last edited by mblab; 10-08-2008 at 05:48 PM.