Looking for Advice for a Rescued dog.
 

OK - Now that I've got this little guy "Tinker". I'm not positive how to proceed for the best results.

Tinker is guessed to be around 2 years old and has lived in a cage in a puppy mill all his life. Right now he has absolutely no personality at all. He doesn't have a clue about anything. ....well he does have a clue about boiled chicken and Merrick's Turducken canned dog food! He Loves it!!!:D

I work part time, so when I'm home, should I just hold him and carry him around? or encourage him to walk around and interact with us? My two Maltese don't bother much with him, I guess cause he's no fun (yet). Abbey has tried to play once or twice but he isn't ready yet. Archie only sees him as something else to come between him and me and has nothing to do with him.

While I'm home he's out of the pen and usually in a favorite spot he's chosen on top of the sofa. But I make him wear a belly band. When I'm out - he's in his pen, which includes a bed, dry food, water, toys, bones and a pee pee pad (which he also doesn't have a clue about). He hates being outside cause it's too cold for him!
This is going to be a real challenge:eek: He doesn't even know what a toy is - how sad!

I am open to suggestions - but I don't think I have the heart to keep him in a small crate right now.

When I adopted Brasco, he was afraid of toys and would pee when he heard them squeak.:eek: And he would not even go near one. But I did have Luigi, and he loves his toys and loves to chase after them. Brasco finally got used to the noises they made and would just sit right next to me and watch Luigi play. He did that for about 2 weeks. Then one evening out of the blue, I threw this toy for Luigi to go get, and Brasco jumped from the couch and ran and got it! He grabbed it, then dropped it, and ran right back to the couch. He did that a few more times over the next few weeks. Then eventually,he got that he could bring the toy back and let me throw it again! Luigi was even like....WHAT???? LOL!

So it takes time. If this little one was alll cooped up in a cage, he has no clue about life itself. And how could he could have. Just keep giving him lots of love. Maybe start off with a string or something to see if there is any interest! Brasco used to also love to just play and "bite" at my hand! Over time, he will come out of his shell. I look back at this time last year with Brasco, and he was sooo shy, and timid and very nervous all the time, and now...WOW...what a world of difference! He is fun, feisty, full of energy, and loves all his toys! He will even play with them by himself, and flip them in the air and chase after them! Its sooo cute!

Good Luck!

Awww poor widdle Tinker...how long have you had him? I havent been around much on YT lately so Im behind on all the news hehe..

Dawn

When we took Gizmo in, I think it took about 6-8 weeks before I saw his true personality. It takes a while for them to get used to everything. My golden retriever rescue was the same. Fortunately they both came from loving homes. WIth your guy being a puppy mill rescue, it may take longer.

I would treat him like you will normally treat him, but I'd definately give some extra love during this scary time and so that he will bond with you.

My yorkies hate the cold as well! My maltese will go outside and want to poke around for hours. My yorkies run out, pee as fast as they can and high tail it back to their cozy beds LOL

Good luck with him! I know we have several more members who have taken in a puppy mill rescue. I hope they will see your post and add their thoughts too.

My Husband and I addopted Robin (aka Rockin Robin) two years ago from YTNR. Please go to www.ytnr.com and look at the 3rd dog under addopted Yorrkies.and read Robins story and see her picture we sent in just shortly after adoption was finalised. She is one of my 6 Yorkies and has been a blessing in our home ever since. She doesn't play with toys (she had come from a home where she was beaten and "fell " down some steps and she has some issue's my other Yorkies dont have but to us she is our baby and would not trade her for the world.

Janie

Congratulations and God bless you for rescuing little Tinker. The only experience I can share about rescues is what I have experienced via my friend who works with rescues. It's such a wonder to watch these little ones come into her home and they are so scared and shy, it's just heartbreaking. I, of course, want to pick them up and just hold them close ... but I learned that just sitting on the floor and pretty much ignoring them [or pretending to] was the best approach. Before long, you feel this little nudge and before you know it, they are snuggling on your lap. They may not stay there long, but it will absolutely bring tears to your eyes. In a few weeks you will see these little personalities emerge and they will just be all over you, licking, kissing and sometimes even "smiling"! It's the most rewarding experience you will ever have!! Once they realize that the world isn't such an awful, miserable place and that there are really great, loving people out there that they can trust, it's truly amazing!! ;)

Awwwhhh. What a sad little guy - but how GREAT it is that you have brought him into your home to love and cuddle. Cudos to you and your family. I would just let him get used to his new surroundings as much as possible and wait for him to open up to you. I can't blame you for not wanting to crate him - but remember that is what he is used to. I have seen igloo beds that might be good for him to have in case he needs a little time away from all of the new activity but still be able to come and go as he pleases. He will come around personality wise - if he's been caged for close to two years I can't imagine it not taking some time. Be patient with him. I am SURE that once he feels secure with his new environment you won't be able to take a step without him being at your feet wondering what new fun thing will be next. Best of luck during this time of adjustment.

Thanks for the advice. I have a pen set up for him, but he usually only likes the back of the sofa in the living room much better - for some reason he feels safe there. Once in a while he'll run into the pen if he feels scared - but he's not happy if the door gets closed. I would think he'd be SO used to the door being closed. That's the only time I hear him bark...saying "Let me out of here!!!"

Now this is going to be a delicate balancing act- not to coddle him too much and to not rush him, get him socialized.....and to house break him - all at once!:eek: What WAS I thinking?? :2omg: :idontknow

You have said it quite nicely:) Gage, my rescue, didn't come from a puppymill or a loving home, he came from an abusive home and an individual who has NO business owning any type of pet!! Gage was a very nervous, afraid of any and all noises in our home. All he did was hide in a corner and shake. If we put our hands down to pet him, he backed away, whimpering and shaking. I even laid on the floor and talked gently to him, didn't pat my hands on the floor to try to get him to come over or anything. Each night, while I'd sit on the sofa and watch tv, I'd have him in my arms or laying right beside me - I'd rub him, kiss on him, anything to let him know WE were not the enemies in his life. It took us several months before he trusted us and would come running when called. Potty training wasn't really a big issue but it did take a couple weeks or so to train him to the pee pads - and he goes no where else but there when he's inside (he will also go outside). We've had him almost 2 years now (April will be 2 years) and our worst fears of his abuse were confirmed this past Christmas - he had been beaten, kicked across the room, and picked up and thrown on numerous occassions all because he wouldn't get out from under the previous owner's feet! He is a very healthy furbaby despite what he went through before we got him. I wouldn't trade him for all the money in the world!

Best of luck and God bless you for taking the baby in! I never, ever knew how much joy a resuce could bring until Gage:)

Hi Pat and congratulations on getting Tinker! We rescued a puppy mill dog on Sept. 10th. Our little Lugosi was so sad. When we got her the vet also said she was about 2. She couldn't walk right (because of being in cage) and didn't even know how to eat out of a bowl. We hand fed her until she got the idea. She would go to the bathroom right where she stood. She too had no idea what a toy was. We decided that we would just incorporate her into our family and give her full access to the house. Our Dachshund Bela stays in our laundry room when we are away. I put Lugosi in there and she panicked and crawled up the gate and out. So we bit the bullet and let her have the run of the downstairs.
It has now been 4 months and what a difference! She is the love of our lives. She doesn't potty in the house anymore, she goes out with her sister like a big girl. She is healthy and happy. She still doesn't play with toys but she has started to run and wrestle. She used to not look us in the eye when we 1st got her but now that has all changed. We just showered her with attention and worked really hard with her on pottying. Boy we sure cleaned up lots of messes!
These dogs have been so abused that we promised her on the 1st day we had her that it would be nothing but love from here on out and she has responded to that promise. Good luck with Tinker and enjoy this wonderful experience. You will be amazed to see the changes in Tinker as the time goes by. This is one of the most rewarding things we could have done. Enjoy this time and welcome to YT!
Kristie

I just want to wish you good luck with your little Tinker.
Bless you for rescueing him from a lifetime of sadness.
The only advise I can give to you is just give him plenty of love and patience.
Eventually he will come around and give love back to you. This poor baby
has to be taught how to do everything. It justs tears me up inside to read the horrid stories these little ones go through. There is a special place above for those of you who come to the rescue of these poor babies who have no one to speak for them. Look forward to seeing Tinker catching up with the others.


Carol & Buddy:aimeeyork

good things will happen...
 

Bless you for rescuing this little one. One of my rescues turned out to be the sweetest little guy. Once he knew he was safe, his personality just blossomed. He is not with me anymore, but what a sweetheart. I have a little girl yt who is three years old. I have had her for about four months. She cowers down and won't look me in the eye. I bought her from a breeder who is reputable but I don't think she had much personal attention and loving. However, from the advice I received on yorkie talk to make a sock toy from old socks did the trick. I try different things and work with what she responds to. I also started rolling a small tennis ball towards her. Soon she started jumping all around it and throwing it up in the air. It is the best fun to see her play. She is really showing off her personality and I enjoy every second. It does take time, so hang in there.

AWWWWW congrats and your doing a great thing for him. Sorry I don't have any suggestions to help you but wanted to say what a great thing your doing!!! GOOD LUCK with him and keep us posted! :thumbup:

I'll add my opinion to everyone else's and tell you that it takes time. Furbabies learn from each other and once your newbie gets comfortable and sees how much fun it is to play he will dig in. He may never play as hard as the others do but he will find his own enjoyment. I can also tell you that you are building a relationship with him that will be like no other.

God bless you for your rescue!

I have no advice, but just want to say may you be Very Blessed for giving this dog a loving home!

I think the folks that have taken in a rescue have given you some excellent tips.

Its so sad to think of the dogs that spend their entire life in a cage.

I don't think I'd allow a kennel in the house for a long time if I were you. That poor baby has really seen enough of them.