Adjustment Challenges for Senior Puppy Mill Rescue Our newly adopted 9-year-old puppy mill survivor Sadie very quickly (and thoroughly!) bonded with me. However, she continues (after 6 weeks) to resist any overtures by my husband. This is a particular problem because she also suffers serious separation anxiety, even when I leave the room for a few minutes...including inappropriate peeing and pooping. This behavior persists even when she is left in my husband's care, which is understandably affecting his relationship with her (and probably even his desire to have a relationship with her). Has anyone experienced this within their family unit? Any words of encouragement or advice would be greatly appreciated. I would also like to thank everyone who responded to my initial posts immediately after Sadie's adoption. She is in many respects settling in very well. If we can figure out the separation anxiety (hoping the new Clomicalm prescription helps) and the husband situation, we'll be all set. |
I would suggest that you have your husband give her treats and feed her. This will help them develop a bond if she sees that he brings good things to their relationship. I could see how she might be frightened of a male... She could have been abused and is scared. Give it some time, once she knows he's safe and is kind, she should accept him. |
Get a play pen for her, And set her in it when you need to leave; and set that play pen beside your husbands' favourite place to be and hang out. And then when she is in the play pen he can treat her. Add some obedience commands and treat her for that. Have him walk her in the backyard (if you have one), or even in the house, with lots of praise and treats for walking easy on the leash/lead. |
aw so sweet of you to recuse an older puppy mill survivor. We get puppy mill dogs at our shelter all the time (just got in 16 Pekingese's!) The main advice I always tell people is to go slow. I would get her used to you leaving and coming back, I like the idea of the play pen above- that way any accidents are easily cleaned. I would spend a couple hours a day putting her in her pen and walking out of the room for a few minutes then coming back. Vary the time you are gone so it's short sometimes and longer others. Separation anxiety dogs have low self confidence and being with them all the time just fuels their dependency, you have to teach them that they are OK when they are alone and that you will be back. As far as her and your husband- I like the idea of your husband feeding her. Also spend time with her and your husband, letting him pet her maybe while you hold her or are near her to let her slowly get used to him. It can take months and even sometimes years but with these guys when you finally get that little break through it means the world! |
We've noticed with our puppy mill dogs that a lot of them are more afraid of me. We assume that the primary caretakers of them are men. Just give a lot aof time. Slowly increase his contact with him. Make all contact positive. You can't do 8 years of abuse and neglect in a few weeks. Trust me it will be so worth it. |
Quote:
Rehabilitation of a Puppy Mill Dog http://www.milldogrescue.org/From%20...et%20-1012.pdf |
Good for you for taking her in and caring so much. |
I have two mill pups who I adopted in 2007. To this day they remain wary of other people. One is better than the other. My son is a huge fear with both of them and he is here often. I would hope your husband will be on board with Sadie's rehabilitation. It may take a lot longer than you might expect...could be less time. These pups know nothing of loving human contact. They have spent their lives being tortured by human beings. Here are a some links you might want to read: http://www.milldogrescue.org/From%20...et%20-1012.pdf Puppy Mills New Study Shows Dogs in Puppy Mills Suffer Long-lasting, Severe Psychological Harm |
Good luck with your rescue. Our Anna has proven to be such a blessing. She still has issues to overcome. She bites our visitors. So we have to keep her in our room if people are visiting. However, I can definitely say the first few weeks were the worst. We've had her 2.5 months. At first she hated my husband and youngest son who still lives at home. She loves my husband now. She even curls up next to him at night while sleeping. He started taking over all of her care when he is at home. He feeds her and takes her out for her walks. He also carries her all around the house talking to her when she's having stressful moments. She is still not my son's biggest fan, but he responds very well to her aggression, which makes me so proud of him. I hope you find assistance. The anti anxiety meds seem to have helped Anna. Like yours we have issues with nervous pee when visitors are here and she is still pretty aggressive towards visitors, but she doesn't circle as often as she used to. Maybe you will start noticing a difference soon. |
We have had our rescue Xena for 2 years. She was 6 years (maybe) when we got her. She is now 8. We have had dog therapists come to us and work with her to no avail. She bonded with me and NOT him. One recent dog therapist suggested that my husband hold her and cuddle her as much as possible. His touching her seems to have made a big difference. She is getting better and now she snuggles with him for a few minutes and even waits at the door for him to come home. She still follows me around all the time but her relationship with him has improved drastically and it only took 2 years to happen. |
Would it be possible for you and your husband to take a basic obedience class with her together? It might help her build a positive association with your husband and give them something to do together as he begins to teach her new things and offer her rewards. |
I would not take this pup anywhere that is not absolutely necessary. Most mill pups are extremely afraid of people .. it takes time...and a lot of patience. Here is another helpful link: Wisconsin Puppy Mill Project, Inc.: Puppy Mill Survivors -- Caring for Unsocialized Mill Dogs |
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