Adopted abused/neglected from shut down mill, now what?
 

We have pondered for about 30 days bringing this baby girl home. A breeder rescued about 80 dogs from a mill. Apparently 16 of them were missing eyes due to the kennels they were kept in.
Our "Grace" is one eyed Yorkie, she's got about half of her teeth. She's terrified of me and my 11 year old daughter. She seems to be warming up to David. We think she's about 5 years old.
We are being very careful and only approaching her on her "good eye" side so we don't scare her worse. It's just so pitiful. We're speaking to her quietly and being very gentle. It's hard to leave her alone, we're doing our best to let her come around on her own.
The other two Yorkshire Terrorists are fine with her. We got her 3 days ago, so I know I can't expect too much.
Still, I'd love to hear from somebody who has experience with these kinds of baby's. Some do's and don't's would be great.
Thanks so much!
Kristi

Hi Kristi..

No experience here, but I did want to tell you that you have a huge heart for taking home your little girl. She is very blessed to have you. Give her lots of love everyday and I am sure she will becme comfortable very soon.

Good luck!
~Kathy:animal-pa

How blessed Grace is that you rescued her. I can't even imagine the life she had. I have no suggestions but am sending prayers your way.

I have three rescues. One came from a good home, the people were moving to the UK and didn't want to take her; one came from the SPCA and, while quite a handful at first (aggressive and hyper), she settled down. The third (and fourth, who has since gone to doggie heaven) were from an abusive situation, and terrified of everything that moved (the male had to have surgery 2 days after we got him and have all but 7 of his teeth removed due to sepsis). He was afraid to bark, huddled if you picked up anything that could be used to hit him, and howled piteously when we left the house...from the time we left until the time we got back.

Today he is a happy, healthy senior dog...still afraid of things that could be used to hit him, like news papers, but willing now to stand his ground and see if it's ok. He runs around the garden and barks to his heart's delight, is happy and tail waggy all the time.

Here's how we did it: first you find out what the dog likes and let her have it. Treats, soft blanket, a crate to sleep in...whatever makes her comfortable. She's bewildered right now and needs to feel safe. Lavish her with praise for the smallest accomplishments...if she takes a treat from your hand, tell her what a good dog she is...and use a high-pitched tone of voice for praise.

Encourage her association with the other dogs. When we have added to our doggie family, the new dogs look to the others for cues. Whatever is scary to your dogs will be scary to her...and whatever is ok will eventually be ok with her. We got one very timid dog that took a year to be willing to play with us. Eventually she stopped expecting to be abused and actually came up and initiated play.

It is important to give the dog space and time to get accustomed to your household, but it is also important that you don't allow her to isolate herself. TIme and kindness are the greatest healers.

But start with tasty treats...lots of them...so she associates you with good things. Don't worry about giving "too many" because right now, anything you can do to encourage her to see you and other family members as the suppliers of good stuff is exactly what she needs. If she will allow it, pick her up and cuddle her (a soft blanket might be welcome) and hand feed-her little bits of treats (tiny, tiny pieces so you can give her lots) while you hold her. If her teeth are bad, give her soft treats you have cut into smaller pieces. Build good associations with you.

Good for you in taking her in, and good luck with her. Our rescues have been absolutely wonderful additions to our family!

God bless you for taking this poor little girl in!!!

From my experience with 3 rescues it's going to take at least several weeks if not months until those poor things find new trust into mankind. Maggie discovered her tail about 4 weeks after we got her and is still (after one year) jumpy when she is on the couch and one of us moves. We think she was kicked off the couch before...

Minnie showed us her first tail wag after about 6 weeks. Just be patient and calm and let her get used to a life she never knew. It's good that you have more 'Terrorists' (I love that!!!) they can help her a lot.

Sweet Violet,
Thank you so much for your input! I really appreciate it so much!
She's really not eating at all right now. I know that she ate a tiny piece of cheese that I gave her, but she waited until she thought I wasn't looking. I think I'll take the whole bag of shredded chedder and give her a "shred" at a time.
I kennel the other 2 monsters when leaving the house, so she's got her own kennel too. She hangs out in there a lot. Maybe too much? She also hides in a cubby in the coffee table. I like that better, at least she's in the room with us. I put a soft blankie in the cubby for her. She seems to like that.
I'll try the cheese for a while and see how it goes.
Thanks again, Sweet Violet, you ROCK!
Kristi

Maybe you can try sitting on the floor quietly with a treat a few feet away from you. See if she takes it. Tell her quietly shes a good girl. Then try moving it closer and closer to you until she feels comfortable being by you. It's just a suggestion I don't know if it will work. She's been through hell, and I think it will take some time for her to come around. If she's warming up to your hubby let her do that. If she can find her way to trust one person it might be easier for her to trust more people.

It is good that she likes her kennel and the coffee table cubby... dogs like to have a "safe" haven that they feel safe in. Keep up the good work..... sounds like it won't be long and she will warm up to you. There are some great liver flavor training treats out there... you may want to try something like that, too.
Good-Luck. and keep us posted with your progress!

awww, bless you. Try PMing llcornell, she had little Ella, who lost an eye and was a rescue. It's is quite a touching story with a happy ending.

That is great she is safe with you now. I have no experience but sounds like it will just take time.

Thank you for rescuing this baby. What a great person you are.

Be patient she may have not had a lot of human contact and trust takes time to build.

Ella didnt like us at all in the beginning and she came around very quickly however we have another rescue Daisy who also was abused and she is taking quite a bit longer. Just dont push it. Its best to ignore them and let them come to you.

Also have you tried moist food? Her teeth might be bad?

Feel free to PM me with any questions but there are alot of people here with more experience than I. I will PM some that helped me to reply also.

hello, i just want to wish you good luck with your baby.

i think it will take some time for the doggie to come out of her shell.

and just want to say that dont give too much cheese, might give her the runs. but otherwise i think you can let her have treats and whatever she likes like the others suggested.

good luck to you and your new baby.

(it's so funny you called your puppies yorkshire terrorists! lol)

:) I just sent you a PM. Glad to have you hear and we will be more than willing to help you through getting her adjusted to her new home and life.

KristiJoTexan I just sent you a pm~:rolleyes: