Regression after adoption
 

I have an absolutely beautiful little foster from a puppy mill. We got her in late april and she was adopted out about 6 weeks ago. This weekend they brought her back with a whole list of complaints. Apparently she bit the womans son, who is 24 years old, not a child. Sissy came to us from another foster program that had recieved around 30 dogs and they needed help with the yorkies, we took in 4, along with 2 maltese and 2 shih tzu's. Some how this woman got the number of someone who had adopted Sissy previously. This woman told her that Sissy was not adoptable, Could not be around children or men, was not house trainable and had never been in an adoptive home more than 6 weeks. She also disputed the dogs age by using the dental records. Sissy is missing half of her teeth due to previous neglect, very typical of puppy mill dogs. She said that she had just had her groomed 2 days previous but that had to be a lie. This dog lived with me for 4 months, I know how her coat grows and no dog gets as matted as she was in 2 days. This couple passed all our requirements and their vet and other references checked out. She was told everything about this dog that we knew. I frequently have children 2-8 years old over and she does fine with them. My 22 year old daughter has male friends and My house cleaners are men. She does fine. She also said people complained because she barked all the time. The only time she barks is if she is left outsid, and not very loud bebause she is debarked. I did tell her that Sissy didn't like to go outside so I would pick her up, take her out and let her in as soon as she did her business. When I ask her was was happening prior to the biting she said that she wanted her to use the doggy door so had placed a crate against the doggy door and Sissy escaped so he was putting her back in. Why in Gods name would you put a dog that had been locked in a cage most of her life in a small cage and expect her to use a doggy door, especially when you were told that she didn't like to go outside, To me that is just another abuse this poor dog has been thru. This weekend when she brought her back I placed her in a crate at pet smart. I had to take her out and put her on a leash because out the constant crying and pacing. She was so stressed, it was so sad. When I got her home she got in my bed, put her head on my pillow and went to sleep. I don't think she moved all night. Now she is constantly licking me, if corrected she licks more. She paces and cries if she can't see me,won't eat if I'm not there. She won't even take her favorite treats. I don't know what these people did to her but she's not the same dog that left me. What can I do to help her over this. I feel like I wasted 4 months of my life because of this family and I don't know how long it will take for her to get her back to where she was.

it will take until she trusts again....is there anyway you can keep her? if she keeps getting shuffled and taken by people who dont understand the dos and donts a of puppy mill baby she will never feel safe. it took my lola a whole year to open up and come around. still to this day she will shake when we get in the car...i think she fears we will be dumping her off as her previous owner did. some times she goes backwards but we just keep trying to move forward and keep her feeling safe and very loved. she trusts you most obviously and has bonded with you. my lola is the same...she eats when im not there but my dh says she waits for me all day long. i hope things work out for this baby.

Poor thing! I would probably eliminate the crate if you can- might bring up bad memories, maybe a baby gated off kitchen or bathroom instead if you have to keep her confined. She sounds like from what shes been through she has developed separation anxiety. Their is tons of info on that around. Just give her time, more than anything sound like she needs to know she is ok now.

Oh bless her tiny little heart :(. I have no advice other that to show her lots of love which I am sure you already are. It is heartbreaking to think of her dealing with this after what she has already been through.

Poor little thing. It sounds like she was traumatized and it's a good thing the lady brought her back to you. They are obviously not the right home for her. It sounds like she's had a pretty hard life if shes came from a puppy mill and into home after home after home. It's probably going to take a minute for her to regain your trust again.

Is there any way you can keep her?? If not,maybe you can find someone who has A LOT of dog experience, patience and time to take her to be her furever home.

I would love to keep her but already have 3 and 1/2 yorkies, one is supposed to live with me for a few months, that started last september. Some other members of the rescue thought that they would be a good home since they had experience with rescues before. The adoptive family just didn't understand that a puppy mill dog is not like the average rescue. She of course will stay with me as long as needed, I just don't want to be the crazy yorkie lady down the street. The neighbors already bring me every stray they find. I just don't know what those people did to her. I usually tell people to give them a few months, go at the dogs pace. I guess they weren't willing to wait. But it's funny because she bonded with me within the first week. She's with me constantly at home but I don't really take her many places yet. I do crate her in the car because she's all over if I don't but that's the only time she's crated. I've only taken her to adoption events or the vet at this point but I guess I need to take her out more, maybe that will help get her used to others. Niko is very friendly and I usually take him with me when I have a timid dog. It usually helps deflect all the attention from the more timid dog.