We just brought Louie home from a shelter a month ago. The shelter was about 80% small breeds (mostly chihuahuas) and the woman we spoke with said they bring up a ton of dogs from Los Angeles because they euthanize them down there and so the other states try to bring them up when they can (ours is a no-kill shelter in Washington).
Louie is eight years old and we know very little about his previous life (this is definitely his third home, at a minimum). He is extremely anxious and cowers when you try to get him to come to you, like he's afraid of being hit or punished. He also hates going outside, so we have to carry him outside and then insist he stay out there (with us) until he goes to the bathroom. He had a few peeing accidents when he first got here but none since, although he does not ever ask to go out so i have to take him out regularly.
He does have poop accidents sometimes although he is finally starting to come to me and act weird when he needs to go out and then I'll take him out. So that's a step in the right direction! The vet said his anal glands were severely impacted so he probably wasn't feeling the sensation of needing to go to the bathroom so that's why he has poop issues.
He also had 9 teeth pulled the week before we adopted him and he had almost no fur on his body (but it's growing in now). Pretty neglected.
He is a cuddler and a sweetheart and it's wonderful to see him settle in. I'm wondering if anyone has adopted an older dog like this and how long it will take him to really trust us? He definitely has bonded with me but it breaks my heart how scared he still is and how anxious he seems.
Our 14 year old Bichon passed away about a month before we brought Louie home and we'd had him from puppyhood, so we don't really have experience with an older shelter dog. |