I honestly cant thank all of you enough - your suggestions are PERFECT and I really dont know why I had not thought of them...I am so appreciative of each of you taking the time to write your thoughtful responses. I am going to try a ramp instead of our stairs, I think that does make more sense over steps. And will be better for her joints over time. Putting a high reward treat at intervals? DUH why didnt I think of that?! :) Same with the walks, and putting that on her daily schedule.

As for her crate situation, I can see your concern and questions - I didnt intend to keep her away from me during the night. The day I brought her home we set up her little crate in our family room so she could see us walking about and be with us in the room where we spend the most time. We left the door open, and she ran in and out on her own. It was loaded with soft blankets. We only shut the door at night, because we were also working on house training. Now that she is potty trained (she picked up on that pretty quick actually) I am happy to have her up in bed with us, or in a dog bed next to us. Whatever she prefers. I know she spent her former years in a crate, but I almost feel like her spurts of time in there helped her transition to house freedom. She *chooses* to go in the crate far less now then when she first came home :) Progress!

This is wonderful news, and also allowed with you at night, I thought being in the crate at night it would have been because she was not potty trained, so happy that she can be with you at night, everything comes in baby steps. The crate was the only thing she knew, reason she went in it, crates are wonderful places for them to just relax, yours being in one for all her little 3 years will accept it, but knows, it's now her choice. She has a wonderful loving life ahead of her. I am tortured by the thought she was a puppy mill breeder, so happy she will now have a normal life and a loving mommy.

I know, right?! I look at her sweet face and it breaks my heart that she was ever treated to less. Thanks again for your kind words and tips :)

That's how I trained Brandi to use her steps. I would place treats on each step. I did this in both directions. She was really scared to go down the steps but her love of treat helped her get over that fear quickly.

After awhile, she used exclusively the steps even when I wasn't looking. It only took a few weeks.

Patience is definitely the key. I brought home a 7 yr old yorkie who was also used for breeding. It took awhile but she finally blossomed into a full blown diva. Boy did she become demanding. She went from being very timid to a confident bossy diva. It was so wonderful to see the transition. Even the most smallest of things is considered progress and milestones. I remember the first time she played with a toy or showed signs of playfulness or confidence, I was so happy because I knew that I was on the right track and to stick with it. I didn't give up even when it took a whole year to get her fully potty trained.

Hang in there, it definitely gets better.

You could try a ramp to see if she would take to it any easier but it depends on the dog and its particular case of LP whether the ramp vs the steps work better for her. But if she's not symptomatic, swollen, limping/favoring or hasn't that severe a degree of luxating patella as to require treatment, it's likely her fear and insecurity that is keeping her on the couch. Insecure dogs in new surroundings usually pick out a single place they favor and stick to that area until they begin to settle in and feel more at home but to puppymill dogs, new-found freedom can be something they don't really understand or trust for a while.

:thumbup:
The day Cody came home with me he sat on the back of the sofa which separates the kitchen & living room, I was in the kitchen getting him water and what nots, poor sweet lil thing sat watching me. The back of the sofa he claimed as his crows nest for several weeks even tho he wasn't shy about claiming my bed the same night he came home with me.

All of you are all so encoraging :) late last night and again this morning she seemed to be playing "chase" with me! Not in a fearful way, but in a fun way. Like i mentioned before, she trots in laps around the coffee table. So last nught when we came in from potty, i just joined her lol! So in the name if excersize, we will continue trotting around the table together after potty trips outside - my neighbors kitchen looks right into my living room. I cant imagine what i look like seeing maggie will be out if their line of vision! Haha but whats important, maggie is making small steps towards fun off the couch :) she also peers around the corner and watches me cook etc if i leave her on the floor. New experiment, she will inly be on the couch if i am. Trying the leash tied to my jeans idea! All your comments and sweet stories...it really does take a village huh?! :)

lol, you would not believe some of the things we have all done to help our babies with issues, You have a very special lil girl that had no life until you rescued her. She is like being "reborn" again, you have to show her what LIFE is, all baby steps, and every step she over comes, comes with a great reward for you as well. she needs time with her new family, real ppl, not just someone that floats in and out to feed and change her cage, if she even had that. Slow and gentle steps and lots of praise and treats, she will gain trust and confidence in you and her new world. She I am sure is not use to being handled by ppl, having close contact with humans, patience, and Constancy are key factors. They need routine for feeding times, walks and play. Yes sometimes a village is NEEDED and YT can be that. Many members have or had rescues that came from puppy mills just as yours has, much advice, tips and suggestions are out there for you.

I love it! Ring around the coffee table to be the number one viewed video at youtube! LOL Sounds like your girl popped out of her shell, sharing her inner personality with you. Enjoy! Wish ours was a bit younger, a little more energy or spunk. Ours is more of a watcher, he follows us around and watches. I engage him often, he doesn't do the run around type stuff, he interacts but it's very mellow. (stands there and gets petted until he falls down and gets his belly rubbed.)

Ah, you have a melter! I grew up with a dog who would just melt into a puddle if you even suggested a belly rub! :)

That's a much better description, yep, he melts. :D

Hi everyone - I just wanted to post a quick update. Maggie has been with us for about 5 weeks now, and she is coming out of her shell! She loves to jump off the couch now (but hasnt quiet mastered getting back up, though she trys with great enthusiasm...I keep doing treats on the stairs...little bugger just eats them and runs off!). And she has also become much more adventurous on the first floor. She likes to play "Chase" and wiggles her little butt right before you reach for her. Its so cute. I keep watching for a tail wag...I think I will cry the day I see it :) So, she is couch potato no more! But, that is still her fav place to rest. Thanks for everyones encouragement and tips. With this new found energy we will work on leash training next! Also, a note, I had mentioned she has LP in both legs, she recently went on Dasuquin and I dont think its a coincidence that she is much more mobile now. I would recommend asking your vet about this med (it looks like a treat) for dogs with joint issues.

Wonderful to hear such an encouraging report!

Good to hear! Took me a little while to see Gucci's tail wag. It's so short, tough to see.