Is it normal

[FlyingNimbus]

Is it normal for my dog to be calm, uninterested in playing, and what it just wants to do is sleep or cuddle? I mean it's not a pug, or a bull dog... So I find it a bit weird is all...

We went to the vet yesterday and they said she's fine-- just an upset stomach from the kibble and the stress.


The only way I can say she's acting is like a senior dog... The doc. said her tarter shows she's about 2-3 but no more than 5.

Just kind of unusual to see a dog that sedentary. She has small bursts of play, but then goes back to relaxing and sleeping.

[maxdog]

Do you know her history? If she came from an abusive situation it may take a while for her to come out of her shell.

[FlyingNimbus]

Originally Posted by maxdog

Do you know her history? If she came from an abusive situation it may take a while for her to come out of her shell.

I mean they gave me papers. But the history I know so far is last friday I picked her up, she had just gotten there 3 days before that from North Carolina- where she stayed there for a month or so in a shelter.

I asked them sometime earlier this week about her and they said she was found wandering the streets in NC. They never mentioned where. They just said that she was a stray that the other shelter found.

She is a bit twitchy, so she may have come from an abusive situation. But I kind of wonder about her and I worry. Is she a lot older than the vet mentioned? He didn't know that they did a clean up on her teeth. Though one of the teeth has a lot of tartar in it and they guessed 2-3 years. But her personality suggests maybe more like 6-10.

[maxdog]

It sounds like she has had a hard life until now. She probably doesn't know how to let go and have fun yet. But with some TLC and encouragement from you she will learn quickly. Encourage and reward her for playing. She will soon learn it is OK. It is not an overnight process because there may be multiple years of hardship to overcome. I promise you there is a puppy in there that wants to get out! Good luck!

[matese]

She needs time to adjust to a HOME, ppl petting, touching her, kindness, available food,other pets in close proximity that is not a threat to her. She was a stray, being in a home with ppl, food, different smells, schedules is all new to her, some dogs need more the a week in their new life. She needs to bond with you, gain trust in you, be comfortable in her new life. She could be under stress trying to adjust to her new home, stress make ppl tired and dogs also. Give her time, be happy with the cuddles for now, she's bonding, she will come around. Maybe she never played, doesn't know how to play. Take it slow with her, she will learn. Lots of patience with a rescue is a must for success.

[Lacey s mom]

Originally Posted by matese

She needs time to adjust to a HOME, ppl petting, touching her, kindness, available food,other pets in close proximity that is not a threat to her. She was a stray, being in a home with ppl, food, different smells, schedules is all new to her, some dogs need more the a week in their new life. She needs to bond with you, gain trust in you, be comfortable in her new life. She could be under stress trying to adjust to her new home, stress make ppl tired and dogs also. Give her time, be happy with the cuddles for now, she's bonding, she will come around. Maybe she never played, doesn't know how to play. Take it slow with her, she will learn. Lots of patience with a rescue is a must for success.

[Lovetodream88]

Some dogs are not big players and some just needs lots of time to come out of their shell. Training might help build her confidence and open her up more.

[FlyingNimbus]

Originally Posted by matese

She needs time to adjust to a HOME, ppl petting, touching her, kindness, available food,other pets in close proximity that is not a threat to her. She was a stray, being in a home with ppl, food, different smells, schedules is all new to her, some dogs need more the a week in their new life. She needs to bond with you, gain trust in you, be comfortable in her new life. She could be under stress trying to adjust to her new home, stress make ppl tired and dogs also. Give her time, be happy with the cuddles for now, she's bonding, she will come around. Maybe she never played, doesn't know how to play. Take it slow with her, she will learn. Lots of patience with a rescue is a must for success.

I understand, the strays I have been used to were rather playful but thats probably because they had a massive yard to play with -- the weather was tropical, and they probably had owners previously.

She probably wasn't a stray her whole life... and my brother mentioned at some point in her life she had babies because of how her nipples are always erect or something like that (it's completely different from sasha who was spayed at 6-8months and never had pups).

She uhh, we took her to the backyard with a leash and harness and thank god she was wearing a harness and not a collar because she was fine...but the neighbors behind us were really... how do I put this nicely "bright" and let their 5-8 year old children take care of their apparently recent small dog and the kids let the dogs play with the chicken (the fence is one of those green ones but somehow you can still get a glimpse from a far even if you're not really trying to look...

So their small dog was running around chasing the chickens... Apparently they got rid of their pit bull as I havent seen it in months... (probably got sick or ran off from being left out all day long , every day unsupervised and neglected)....

My dog heardthe dog chase the chickens and chicks... so suddenly she sees him running around, and she tries to chase after him. She sprinted so fast and so rapidly she essentially did a sommersault and landed on her back... Not sure if that was my fault but she's never actually done that, nor has she ever taken interest in other dogs more than just looking... except for that big dog but she just barked from afar....


Is there a way to prevent her from doing that? its the only place she seems to be comfortable enough to poop consistently and pees easily within minutes....

[FlyingNimbus]

Originally Posted by Lovetodream88

Some dogs are not big players and some just needs lots of time to come out of their shell. Training might help build her confidence and open her up more.

I've been thinking about getting her a soft cushy dog bed to give her comfort and she seems to tremble sometimes.. I think she's cold sometimes... sometimes even during the day time. She doesn't show signs of being scared.

Just dont know if shell rip her bed up.. is there a doggy bed that they can't rip up, is comfortable for them and is cleanable/washable?

[FlyingNimbus]

Originally Posted by maxdog

It sounds like she has had a hard life until now. She probably doesn't know how to let go and have fun yet. But with some TLC and encouragement from you she will learn quickly. Encourage and reward her for playing. She will soon learn it is OK. It is not an overnight process because there may be multiple years of hardship to overcome. I promise you there is a puppy in there that wants to get out! Good luck!

I don't really mind if all she wants to do is just loaf around and cuddle (even after we get her out of her shell)-- just want her to be happy is all. Hopefully she isn't that old... I'd like to be able to be with her for as long as possible..to be honest I wish dogs had the same lifespan as cats do... Ive heard of cats that live up to 20-30 years... ? Not sure, not a cat person.Just heard rumors.

Or when it comes to be her time, she doesn't have to die by us having to put her down. Recall someone mentioning that most dogs end up having to be put down later in life because at some point in their late years they will end up super sick to the point they're in pain and /or quality of life is diminished.

Other than that, I just want to give her my love and protection. Not even going to let little kids near her. Nothing against kids, but they can be a little rough with things-- as I've seen with my cousin when he was 5-9 tried to chase sasha around, would bother her by stomping on the ground and generally trying to scare her-- of course he was only there for a few days every year or other year, and we of course reprimanded him and had him never get near the dog but still wouldn't trust him near the dogs. Nor would I trust the neighbor's kid down the block-- which a few days back followed me to my house getting close to the dog trying to pet her without even asking -- while riding a tricycle... not really bad kids-- just lacking some common sense, insight, and maturity.

I want to keep her safe from everything that could hurt her and anyone. Ive been trying to spoil her a bit.

I've also been teaching her the command "back" and "leave it" its gonna take some time but hopefully we'll get there

[Wylie's Mom]

She just traveled a loooong way. Lived in a shelter for a long time, and perhaps longer before that...?

Almost all pets from a shelter go thru a decompression stage, where there is a major adjustment from living in SUCH a HIGH-stress environment day-in/day-out for so long.

I wouldn't be surprised at her being sedentary one bit right now, I really wouldn't. If I were her, I'd want to just collapse for awhile after what she's been thru.

Dogs are sentient beings, remember....

[matese]

Originally Posted by FlyingNimbus

I understand, the strays I have been used to were rather playful but thats probably because they had a massive yard to play with -- the weather was tropical, and they probably had owners previously.

She probably wasn't a stray her whole life... and my brother mentioned at some point in her life she had babies because of how her nipples are always erect or something like that (it's completely different from sasha who was spayed at 6-8months and never had pups).

She uhh, we took her to the backyard with a leash and harness and thank god she was wearing a harness and not a collar because she was fine...but the neighbors behind us were really... how do I put this nicely "bright" and let their 5-8 year old children take care of their apparently recent small dog and the kids let the dogs play with the chicken (the fence is one of those green ones but somehow you can still get a glimpse from a far even if you're not really trying to look...

So their small dog was running around chasing the chickens... Apparently they got rid of their pit bull as I havent seen it in months... (probably got sick or ran off from being left out all day long , every day unsupervised and neglected)....

My dog heardthe dog chase the chickens and chicks... so suddenly she sees him running around, and she tries to chase after him. She sprinted so fast and so rapidly she essentially did a sommersault and landed on her back... Not sure if that was my fault but she's never actually done that, nor has she ever taken interest in other dogs more than just looking... except for that big dog but she just barked from afar....


Is there a way to prevent her from doing that? its the only place she seems to be comfortable enough to poop consistently and pees easily within minutes....

Many stray dogs have puppies, doesn't mean someone owned her. Yeah she may have at one time had a home, this is something you will never know. You have to work with who she is now. You are both learning about each other.

If you are using a 6 foot leash, get rid of it, put it away until she is trained not to dash (lunge forward). 6 foot leash is to long and the reason she flipped over on her back.

I had this happen to my boy at an obedience session. The trainer took Cody's leash from me to show me how to control his "lunging" I was using a 6 foot leash but always had it wrapped around my hand several times so it would be shorter, the trainer gave him the full length of the leash Cody dashed came to the end of the leash, became air bound flipped in the air and landed on his back. Needless to say I ripped into the trainer.

Use a 4 foot leash, you have better control over her pulling and dashing and will avoid back flips. You haven't stated if she pulls when she is on a leash, there are technics to train this out of her. You really must get professional training for yourself to properly train this dog.

[FlyingNimbus]

Originally Posted by matese

Many stray dogs have puppies, doesn't mean someone owned her. Yeah she may have at one time had a home, this is something you will never know. You have to work with who she is now. You are both learning about each other.

If you are using a 6 foot leash, get rid of it, put it away until she is trained not to dash (lunge forward). 6 foot leash is to long and the reason she flipped over on her back.

I had this happen to my boy at an obedience session. The trainer took Cody's leash from me to show me how to control his "lunging" I was using a 6 foot leash but always had it wrapped around my hand several times so it would be shorter, the trainer gave him the full length of the leash Cody dashed came to the end of the leash, became air bound flipped in the air and landed on his back. Needless to say I ripped into the trainer.

Use a 4 foot leash, you have better control over her pulling and dashing and will avoid back flips. You haven't stated if she pulls when she is on a leash, there are technics to train this out of her. You really must get professional training for yourself to properly train this dog.

I think its a 6 foot leash. I didn't check. But to make it clear I almost always wrap it around my hand and use the other hand to grab the leash by it (not sure if I make sense) so she walks next to me.

She pulls a little sometimes when she gets distracted oor something... She was fine, and the only time it ever happend. I still need to get a new leash as the leash fell to the ground once and i wasnt looking and she just bit it. Didnt break through but dont trust it now...

So I am going to get this chew proof one thats made of steel (like a wire)


I've been having her next to me all day long recently as she's taking to pooping in the backyard if we leave one dropping there. I guess it stands sort of like a marker for her and it works.

We have this thing we built on the front of the house (next to the door) and it has like short turf (really short) and we use it for sasha in winter when it snows hard and we cant get out, or when its raining hard.

It rained today and we had to take her out back but we dried her up quickly.

She's been getting used to sasha as well. They both sniff each other sometimes. Trying to make a habit o f them meeting daily.

Also working on no biting (she nibbles sometimes and we want to avoid her going too far).

Also chews on stuff, so anytime I catch her I make a quick/sharp "shhht" sound as it always gets her attention and after she looks at me I just tell her to "leave it". It's working slowly.

As for getting a professional, we're hoping to schedule one with the one the vet recommended. Said they never had trouble with them and that they work closely with them. hes a good vet

How old must a dog be before conceiving?

[Lovetodream88]

Originally Posted by FlyingNimbus

I understand, the strays I have been used to were rather playful but thats probably because they had a massive yard to play with -- the weather was tropical, and they probably had owners previously.

She probably wasn't a stray her whole life... and my brother mentioned at some point in her life she had babies because of how her nipples are always erect or something like that (it's completely different from sasha who was spayed at 6-8months and never had pups).

She uhh, we took her to the backyard with a leash and harness and thank god she was wearing a harness and not a collar because she was fine...but the neighbors behind us were really... how do I put this nicely "bright" and let their 5-8 year old children take care of their apparently recent small dog and the kids let the dogs play with the chicken (the fence is one of those green ones but somehow you can still get a glimpse from a far even if you're not really trying to look...

So their small dog was running around chasing the chickens... Apparently they got rid of their pit bull as I havent seen it in months... (probably got sick or ran off from being left out all day long , every day unsupervised and neglected)....

My dog heardthe dog chase the chickens and chicks... so suddenly she sees him running around, and she tries to chase after him. She sprinted so fast and so rapidly she essentially did a sommersault and landed on her back... Not sure if that was my fault but she's never actually done that, nor has she ever taken interest in other dogs more than just looking... except for that big dog but she just barked from afar....


Is there a way to prevent her from doing that? its the only place she seems to be comfortable enough to poop consistently and pees easily within minutes....

Dogs spayed before their first heat don't develope mammary glands so their nipples stay flat. Dogs spayed after their first heat have mammary glands devoloped so they have nipples. It doesn't mean she definitely has had pups. She probably just has to get used to the leash and forgot about it.

[Lovetodream88]

Originally Posted by FlyingNimbus

I think its a 6 foot leash. I didn't check. But to make it clear I almost always wrap it around my hand and use the other hand to grab the leash by it (not sure if I make sense) so she walks next to me.

She pulls a little sometimes when she gets distracted oor something... She was fine, and the only time it ever happend. I still need to get a new leash as the leash fell to the ground once and i wasnt looking and she just bit it. Didnt break through but dont trust it now...

So I am going to get this chew proof one thats made of steel (like a wire)


I've been having her next to me all day long recently as she's taking to pooping in the backyard if we leave one dropping there. I guess it stands sort of like a marker for her and it works.

We have this thing we built on the front of the house (next to the door) and it has like short turf (really short) and we use it for sasha in winter when it snows hard and we cant get out, or when its raining hard.

It rained today and we had to take her out back but we dried her up quickly.

She's been getting used to sasha as well. They both sniff each other sometimes. Trying to make a habit o f them meeting daily.

Also working on no biting (she nibbles sometimes and we want to avoid her going too far).

Also chews on stuff, so anytime I catch her I make a quick/sharp "shhht" sound as it always gets her attention and after she looks at me I just tell her to "leave it". It's working slowly.

As for getting a professional, we're hoping to schedule one with the one the vet recommended. Said they never had trouble with them and that they work closely with them. hes a good vet

How old must a dog be before conceiving?

Do you have plenty of chew toys for her to chew on?