Do they forget?
 

Mikki had an accident in my house today. As soon as she used the bathroom she ran into my kitchen and hid in the corner. I went and picked her up to tell her it was ok. She was shaking so hard. I know she was scared. :( To me, I think she is remembering something from her past. I don't "spank" my dogs at all. Even if they use the bathroom in my house. I usually pick them up and take them outside so they know to do it there not in the house. I felt so sorry for her I just held her. Do they ever forget about those times in their other life? Is there anything I can do to help her overcome that fear? I don't want her to think it is ok to go in the house but I don't want her living in fear either. Any advice?

Poor baby:( Do you think she was hit in her previous home if she made mistakes? That is just heartbreaking.
I think just continue what you are doing. Let her know you love her and if she has an accident pick her up like you did today and then take her outside where you want her to go. I think that eventually she will forget and get over her fears, once she realizes that she has your unconditional love.

We have had other things happen that make us suspect that she might have been. :( She is 3 1/2 lb. Just a tiny baby. I am not very happy. I just have a different theory I guess. I always tell anyone that asks me, if you don't want accidents don't get an inside dog. I really really think she was in a lot of trouble if she had accidents in the house. I hope we can help her overcome this.

I'm so sorry that sounds awful. Poor little guy. I know it's heartbreaking but you're doing the right thing and I know Mikki feels loved. She knows she's loved.

It will take a while for her to realize she has nothing to fear. Jada is a rehome and she was 2.5 years old when we adopted her. I don't think she was abused but she didn't know what it was like to play and to know how to be a truly loved little girl. It took her almost a year to be fully at ease and to know how much we love her.

I'm curious if some of it is submissiveness? If your baby was re-homed then you're probably right about something that happened in the past. Our new girl will sometimes come up to me like she wants to be picked up then run and cower when I approach her. Different from playing - when she runs away and wiggles. She is submissive, but not to the point of crouching and piddling, and I've been ever so gentle with her - approaching her carefully, hand palm up, not looking her in the eye. She only does it sometimes but it makes me sad. It's like she's the re-incarnation of an abused dog! We've only had her for 2 and 1/2 weeks so some of it is probably 'newness', but the breeder was really gentle (we visited) so I'm sure she was never touched in anger. Weird.

I would think she may have been scared that is why she ran and hid. She may not have been physically abused but may have been hollered at. I have never hit any of my dogs either and Hobbes ( we got him at 16 weeks) always ducks his head and become submissive, when he thinks he has done something wrong. I hope Mikki did not have a terrible life but now she has a mommy that loves her and will be patient and kind to her so maybe she will forget. She is very Blessed that you brought her home to be Rosie's sister.

I think they do have a sort of recall of certain things that they associate strongly with something else from times well back in their lives, especially if they were imprinted at the time with something exceptionally wonderful - or exceptionally scarey or painful. If she were verbally berated for a long, long time in a scary manner or hit/injured when this happened, she very well could be "remembering" the pottying in the house leg to a very, very bad/scary thing and when she repeated that action today, she associated the action with that bad time and ran scared. It really does sound like she is essentially remembering. In time, that should abate.

I'm like you - I don't spank or scold a dog for pottying in the house - consider that my fault for a lack of a good schedule, failure to properly monitor my dog for "signs" of need to go or a problem with the dog's ability to hold it longer - such as a bit of diarrhea or drinking too much water. I simply bring the dog very matter of factly to the soiled area, say "uh oh" in a regular tone and take the dog outside to his "spot" and say "Good potty outside". The last thing I want to do is scare my dog for needing to void or poop, wherever he does it!!! But it sounds like that may just be what happened to your little bitty girl, poor little thing. I am so glad she is with you now.

Well this was my fault. I didn't get home until later than usual. She was home all day while I was at work. When I got home she was so excited to see me. I was just about to take her out when she had the accident. Pure and simple, I should have gotten her out quicker.

I don't know if she was yelled at or hit or what. I do know that she was scared acting. It was so sad. I just picked her up and loved her. Then we went outside. I told her to potty outside. Never scolding her. I don't think the lady I got her from did anything. I think she loved her and knew she had to get rid of her. She told DH that her boyfriend didn't like Mikki. So I don't know.

Honestly, more and more I think I know why she was there when my friend saw her. This led my friend to text me and next thing we know she is mine. I believe everything happens for a reason. She has been spayed, current shots, groomed, heartworm tested, heartworm prevention, flea and tick prevention, etc. Things that she was lacking in her past. I just hope that we can encourage her to not be afraid. Well, only be afraid when Rosie is after her. :D Lol.

Fear is such a hard thing to deal with in a dog. I'd much rather deal with a biting, aggressive dog than a fearful one. But the fearful ones are my heart - my purpose in life is to bring them gently along over time and nurture them back to trust in humans. They take the longest to rehab and can get a setback out of the blue but helping a fearful dog to become confident and trusting and fun-loving again is the most rewarding thing ever.

I think you were meant to have and help this little one and bless you forever for it.

Thank you! I love her to death. She has wormed her way into my heart and believe it or not DH's heart too. He adores her. Really really feels for her. Picking her up and loving her, is that the best way to handle the "fear episodes"? That was all I really know to do. Thanks again.

I think they do remember. I've had Kaji 2 years, and there are still times where he'll pee out of fear when I approach him. If I call him over and he doesn't come, and I keep insisting, that really makes him scared. He usually comes when I call, but every once in a while, he'll get scared. If I go pick him up, he'll pee. If I send someone else, he'll go limp, and will let them bring him to me. I don't know what it is, I don't know what I do that triggers this.

I think it could just be her personality. We kept one pup from our previous litter and she's nearly a year old now and just finally not acting like a 'fraidy-cat all the time. It really bothered me. She was always quiet and shy, but for quite awhile she acted like she had been beat. Since we raised her from birth, clearly this was not the case. Loud noises still startle her.
I think because she's small she realizes she could be hurt more easily (stepped on, etc) ??? I can't help but think she may have also picked up on our being more careful of her...not wanting to encourage being afraid...we may have over coddled her/making sure no one yelled or made sudden movements around her...making her all the more timid??? either way, I think her personality is just one of a timid demeanor whereas another one of ours is a barker/playful/outgoing dog, another is the bossy/diva. She's definitely coming out of her shell though...just took her on a trip and she asserted herself just fine to my daughter's big schnauzer (who tucked tail when she barked at him!!! lol)

Just a thought. I know for a fact not all cowering dogs have been abused. (Like Kendra) my sister had a puppy from birth that was just over reactive to stimulus. She out grew it some what but, she still shakes and hides when anything new happens. Maybe her brain was damaged in the birth process. Maybe it is a canine form of automatism or retardation ?

I agree.. it could just be her personality. I have Bailey.. he is a 26 lb shih tuz and he is such a timid soul. He is so loving and cuddly with us but if I even look at him like I am mad he will hide. The other day I was playing with Remy .. the "I am going to get your toy..and then chase her" game (remy loves it.. she barks at me if I stop playing).. Bailey got scared and ran and hide from me. He will not let any one new pet him, he groans (not growls) if a stranger walks up to us.. he is very protective of me with other dogs..
we have had him from about 8 weeks and he has always been loved, never ever hit or even really yelled at.. we socialize him but he is what he is.

So just keep loving her.. she will adjust and some bahaviors will change others will not