Adopted adult dog help

[matthewb0051]

So back in April, we got linked up with a woman that was going to Oklahoma to get a Goldendoodle. Long story but apparently it was a puppy mill and the operators told her they were shutting down ops. She went back a week or two later and picked up 8 or 10 dogs.

We agreed to take a 8yo female named Molly. She was a momma there and had been her entire life. She is beautiful and full of life but is pretty scared of allowing us to pet her, she even gets up if we get too close. It has gotten better but still not great.

My wife usually goes to work around 5am (her fault not mine) so I end up sleeping on the couch when she leaves. Most mornings, Molly will either lick my hand or arm or put her nose near my face while I sleep. It usually wakes me up and the moment I open my eyes she takes off.

Vet put her on Proxac but honestly it hasn't made much difference.

Any ideas on how to get her past her fears???

[rfuerst911sc]

Hard to say how poorly the puppy mill operator treated the dogs . But it appears maybe not too good . Time heals most wounds . Dogs respond well to positive behavior responses . Try not to yell or raise your voice . If she will walk on a leash you and your wife should walk her . You are trying to make the dog part of your pack .

Comfort her as much as possible , hopefully you reach a point where she will sit/lay near you and gently petting of the head and body can happen . Professional help may be needed but that's a last resort . If she rides well in the car that is another bonding arena to utilize . Good luck 👍

[pwd72s]

Patience...lots of patience.

[Steve Carlton]

Best wishes for Molly to overcome her fear! I would try asking if a dog behavior consultant can help. It might not cost that much.

[Alan A]

Time. Our abused dog took 2 years before she was fully comfortable with me. Went from not eating for 2 weeks when we got her to sitting in my lap to watch tv but it took a very very long time.

[wdfifteen]

There is a lot of time in making an insecure dog feel safe. Look for the times when she reacts to those things that seem to comfort her and go from there. It is a bit of a long haul.

That advice is From our household dog expert, Vicki. She took an abused male Cocker Spaniel that was afraid of his own shadow and turned him into a calm, confident dog.

[rwest]

Probably not helpful to you at this point, but the rescue I foster for only lets people foster or adopt a puppy mill dog if they have a confident resident dog to show the puppy mill dog the “ways of the world”.

Maybe you have friends with dogs that you could try and do play dates with?

[masraum]

I am not a dog whisperer. I've seen/watched lots of videos of folks befriending rescues and strays. It seems to be a lot of patience just letting the dogs get comfortable. One thing that I've seen many times is that dogs will decide that someone is a good person based either on how that person treats other people or other dogs. Do you have another dog (friend, neighbor, etc...) that is also a very chilled out pup where you could be "seen" by your new pup interacting with the other dog, giving pets, treats, attention?

Otherwise, just sit still near your dog while sort of ignoring it (watching TV or something). Maybe offer treats on the floor in between you and the dog. I think if you stare at the dog, that makes them uncomfortable. If you ignore them and let them approach and maybe sniff (still ignoring them) they can get more comfortable. Also treats can be a motivator, but not too pushy, not making them come to your hand.

[vash]

100% time.

Just feed her, let her out and let it ride. My brother adopted two Great Danes sexually abused by two men. Men were busted for animal cruelty. Needless to say, those dogs had trust issues. One dog came around in 6 months, one longer. The slower dog lived way longer, but both dogs loved and trusted my bro. I never got a chance to pet the first one. It never trusted me, and we ignored each other. The other Dane was a sweet dog to the end.

Let it ride. The dog will come around eventually, hopefully. Dogs are tough.

[porsche tech]

We got Bosco when he was just a puppy…looks very similar to Molly but is a Labradoodle. Molly is a cutie! Bosco doesn’t hate petting but most of the times I try to pet him, he thinks I want to play and he runs off to get a ball for me to throw. He’s way more interested in chasing a ball than being petted. He doesn’t necessarily hate it but just has better things to do with his time. I agree with the others, give her time.

[Steve Carlton]

Matthew- I'm sure your hand is approaching her head from underneath, right?

[gregpark]

Just love her. She'll come around eventually, guaranteed.

[craigster59]

We have a Lab and he's not exactly "Mr Cuddles". He loves us and likes us but prefers his distance. Like Porsche Tech says, he'd rather be fetching balls.

Not trying to be funny, but maybe smear some peanut butter on your forehead. Get close to her and speak in that sing-song voice and see how she reacts. Then play a little fetch. She'll come around.

[KFC911]

Originally Posted by gregpark

Just love her. She'll come around eventually, guaranteed.

Yep

If she is food oriented ... a trail of kibble to yer face ... PB on yer nose, etc. .... let her approach you ... as you don't make eye contact... no petting from above ... lots of good suggestions ... they will all work imo .....

She's a dawg

Good luck!

[wdfifteen]

Bless you for taking Molly on! People like you are .... special.

The folks who said it takes time are right - that was Vicki's experience with her Cocker Spaniel and our experience with cats.

We have a new wild cat come around every year or so. We feed them and talk to them, and eventually they get comfortable with us.
It took Tuxedo Kat almost a year to let me touch him.
Leo is our latest. After putting food out for him every morning for 9 months or so, he finally let us touch him. Now, a year since he first came around, he will come up to us just to get petted - no food required.

[matthewb0051]

Forgot to mention, we also have a Terripoo that we got from the animal shelter when we lived in El Paso. He is a sweety and she sees us petting him often. Poor thing is going blind though so he isn't interested in playing with her like he would have been a few years ago.

And like clockwork, I woke up on the couch this morning with her nose just a couple of inches from mine.

Food doesn't motivate her, we've tried treats but no dice.

[Seahawk]

Originally Posted by wdfifteen

Bless you for taking Molly on! People like you are .... special.

The folks who said it takes time are right...

Agree.

We took on "Perry", a Jack Russell, when he was one...he is now 12 and still has "issues".

He was abused by a man, we think, so I had to be really careful in the beginning with him to make sure I didn't add to his angst, as I am sure you are doing.

11 years in and there are still times when he retreats from me for the past sins...I am really careful with him with voice, space and praise. He is a great dog.

Dogs are, for the most part, empaths when they are puppies and young...time helps but the fear, at least in my experience, dogs carry forward can be managed, not eliminated.

Again, great you are taking this on. I take great pride in helping Perry have a better life...

[masraum]

I think this is a good sign, "Most mornings, Molly will either lick my hand or arm or put her nose near my face while I sleep." I think time will improve things.

Does she hang out in the room with you guys or does she hang out in the room with the other dog or find her own place away? Do you have a kennel for her or some sort of area that is hers that's somewhat isolated (under a table with a bed or something)?

[ChrisHamilton]

Originally Posted by matthewb0051

Forgot to mention, we also have a Terripoo that we got from the animal shelter when we lived in El Paso. He is a sweety and she sees us petting him often. Poor thing is going blind though so he isn't interested in playing with her like he would have been a few years ago.

And like clockwork, I woke up on the couch this morning with her nose just a couple of inches from mine.

Food doesn't motivate her, we've tried treats but no dice.

Just have to be patient and give her time. Like the others here have said. How you speak to her, how you speak to others in your home is a big influence as well. Speaking in a calm manner and softly will help. Just be gentle with her, show her you love her by talking to her, she will eventually respond. She just has to build up some trust. It will come in time.

[KFC911]

She is trying .... and it will happen...

Time