Update on our stray girl Skye
 

1st thank you to all that responded to my 1st post on the Yorkie stray we took in.
She is doing so much better, been 3 weeks today 7/31.
She is slowly gaining weight, 4.6 lbs. up from 4.4 lbs. she’s not as shaky, doesn’t cower as much when petted. She finally is holding her tail up, which was stuck in her butt crack. We have had her treated for yeast in ears, skin infection, rabies, which all vets will do with an unknown animal 🙁
Had titers done for immunity. She has antibodies to parvo but not distemper. Vet thought she may be a parvo survivor. Hum....
She is about 2 1/2 years and hasn’t been spayed. Vet wants to wait longer to gain all health.
The only problem is.... she is soooo attached to my husband. Sits on him all day.
Followers him everywhere, cries when he takes a shower, yard work, going to mail box, etc. it’s so pitiful.
I feed her, take her out, take her for car rides, try to play with her AND she is still biting me. She and our baby Ruger seem to do well. He has NEVER showed any aggression towards her or us.
We have not left the house without taking them too.
Does anyone have a clue if this will get better.
I’m so afraid of leaving her & Ruger together. If & when we do I will separate them for awhile.
Right now it’s easier just staying home with them.
Thank you for listening..
Sharon

Oh wonderful!thanaks for that wonderful update.

Well all good news, tail up is a good sign. She's still getting to know her new surroundings, 3 weeks is nothing, some rescues it can take months. I would not leave the two alone together for now, it's to early, you don't know what her reaction will be with you and your husband being gone and she is just with Ruger, I would not trust the two of them alone together, if you want to leave them home separate them.

For what ever reason, she has claimed your husband as her protector, he is her security. I think it's wonderful she bonded with your husband so fast. A stray / rescue bonding with anyone that fast shows trust in that person. I know you feel bad but you shouldn't, be happy that she trust someone, she will come around but it's going to take time. Who knows, maybe she was beaten, abused by a female, she may be scared of woman, you will never know. Just keep doing as you are, feeding her, taking her in the car, gently playing with her, she needs to gain trust in you. She will come around, it's just not going to happen overnight, it could take months, so do not feel bad or sad, feel pity for this poor little dog that a human made her so distrustful of ppl, or maybe just women. Make sure you're the only one that gives her special treats, not your husband, she has to associate you with good things and there is nothing better then yummy treats. Poor sweet little girl, how can ppl treat innocent lil dogs so cruelly.

Rescues can take a long time. A trainer maybe able to help guide you in ways that would help and especially with the biting. Training does bond humans and animals so you could always start with sit and general commands. I would not depend on the titers honestly at this state they are still pretty useless and don't necessarily give you the whole picture.

Tail up is such great news! Bless u and your husband for taking in Skye. She's so lucky to have found you guys. It's really great that she took to your husband so quickly too!

Hmm..maybe in addition to the usual daily stuff you do for her, you could try doing some obedience training with her using a clicker and yummy treats (like cheerios or boiled chicken breast)? It may take some time (and I've never had a rescue before), but I feel confident that some daily training between just you and Skye should do it. :)
Dogs have a way of associating the clicker sound with treats really quickly. And then, she'll associate you with fun times and yummy treats. I'd first do it when your husband is out. And then, I'd do the training with your husband in the room but not interacting with you both.

If she's biting you. You could start by clicking when she follows a command (such as sit or down or stay) and then lay the treat on the floor. And then gradually hand-feed the treat. I like to think by eventually hand-feeding the treat, it'll allow Skye to trust you and then not want to bite the hand that feeds her in the future.

Thank you Scottie & Cassie for wonderful advice. Yes, she does accept food & treats from my hand. I’m working with her each day to go into her tent, which is like a play pen with canvas & meash. Only stays with the door zipped for a minute. Doesn’t like it at all. We have not left her or Ruger alone.
Wish we could go out to eat, but if it takes a year to stay home & train, so be it.