September 20, 2008
Help - Yorkie rescued from puppy mill - won't walk through door to come inside?
Adopted an 8 year old, 5 lb Yorkie through a shelter in July. She'd been rescued from a puppy mill a month or so earlier.
She wasn't house trained, but she's been doing great learning to be a pet. We're down from a couple accidents a day to just a couple a week. (She won't use a puppy pad, but most of the time now she has the decency to go in the kitchen instead of on the carpet so it's easier to clean up!) She's becoming less and less timid and is learning the rules of the house.
I've been reading online that it's not uncommon for dogs that have been abused or raised in puppy mills to be afraid of walking through doorways. No one says why though? What's bad about doorways? Just the fact that what's on the other side is unknown? She's lived here 2 months… she knows whats on the other side of the doorway. Treats, gentle scritches, her cozy bed…
If you have had a dog that had this same problem, your experience would be appreciated! Is this something that she's likely to overcome? How long did it take your dog?
Pixie HAS come in once or twice, but only when it's raining outside. I've tried coaxing her with treats, propping the door open and walking away so there's no one around to make any sudden moves and startle her. Neither trick seems to be working though.
I'd like to help her get over her fear before winter (we're in Canada it's -40 sometimes on the coldest days here.) I'd rather she not take her time thinking about it when I open the door.
Any comments or suggestions?
Thanks!
Kudos–Kudos—Kudos—You did one of the most wonderful things in the world…giving a poor puppy mill dog a warm loving and caring home. My hats off to you! It takes one special person/family to have the patience and love to deal with mill babies..especially older dogs. She is lucky to have been rescued at 8 years old..they usually don't last that long!
You are doing all the right things. Being coaxing and gentle..and all the positive reinforcement she needs.
I have a 5 year old mill rescue Tzu. She was in the mill for 3 years and I have had her for 2 wonderful years. Pixie is doing very well for the short time you have had her. And she is small enough for you to gently pick her up and carry her in or out of the house. If it is inside the house you are having the problem with, just gently pick her up, calmly say inside and bring her in.
Try to look at it from her side of the picture. She was caged, abused and bred unmercifully for 8 years. She was probably outside in a barn, or outbuilding. The only time she was in a real building/shelter was when she was being bred or inseminated, and maybe to have her pups…and then out again. She probably sees your house as someplace that causes pain or harm. Yes it is warm, cozy and you are loving and friendly..but you have only had her for a short time. Give her time to understand that a nice warm cozy place isn't a bad thing. My Tzu is very afraid of storms, yet, all you have to do when it is storming is open a door and she bolts outside!!! I have yet to figure that out. Oh, she won't go through the pet door to go outside…but open any other door in the house and she will take off if you let her!!
My "Luci" still has a little problem coming in and out of the house. Sometimes she will come in immediately, sometimes I have to be inside before she will come in…or at least out of the door way before she will enter or even leave the house. I know it is hard, and you are doing everything right. Patience is the key. And if she doesn't come in quickly, especially with the coming winter…just gently pick her up, calmly say inside..and bring her inside and gently put her down..and be a happy camper and be pleased and show her you are happy she is inside. You may want to give her a treat to show her it is a good thing to be inside..even though you had to bring her in. "Inside…good Pixie. You say she has come inside once or twice…does she have the same problem going outside?? If that is the case, I think I would use completely different words to identify inside and outside. They sound too similar. Like home and outside…or just in and outside. In Pixie…out Pixie. In the house Pixie or outside Pixie. Or even possibly teach her "come". Be outside and say "come" when you want her with you…be inside and say "come" when you want her inside.
My Luci continues to amaze me at things she learn and does. She has made leaps and bounds in a week. Then is at a standtsill for a while. As long as your Pixie is treated with love and care and patience, she will respond to that. I can't tell you how long it will take her to learn going through a door is nothing to be afraid of..but with TLC she will learn. She may even suprise you one day and just do it!!
Filed under Yorkie Rescue by admin
Comments on Help - Yorkie rescued from puppy mill - won't walk through door to come inside? »
You have to remember she's been through 8 years of hell. If she doesn't come in, she's an 5 lb dog. Pick her up and set her inside.
My mom's dog was a mama at a Puppy Mill. It just takes time. When she wouldn't move, we just picked her up and moved her.
References :
most of the dogs I've brought into my house who had doorway fears resolved in a week or two, they normally resolved with trust building with me, door propping, treats and leashes. I found once my guys learned the house was safe and all the great stuff that was inside they settled down. I ignored them while they were exploring and acting fearful. When you take your girl in and out I suggest a leash over carrying her.
References :
Kudos–Kudos—Kudos—You did one of the most wonderful things in the world…giving a poor puppy mill dog a warm loving and caring home. My hats off to you! It takes one special person/family to have the patience and love to deal with mill babies..especially older dogs. She is lucky to have been rescued at 8 years old..they usually don't last that long!
You are doing all the right things. Being coaxing and gentle..and all the positive reinforcement she needs.
I have a 5 year old mill rescue Tzu. She was in the mill for 3 years and I have had her for 2 wonderful years. Pixie is doing very well for the short time you have had her. And she is small enough for you to gently pick her up and carry her in or out of the house. If it is inside the house you are having the problem with, just gently pick her up, calmly say inside and bring her in.
Try to look at it from her side of the picture. She was caged, abused and bred unmercifully for 8 years. She was probably outside in a barn, or outbuilding. The only time she was in a real building/shelter was when she was being bred or inseminated, and maybe to have her pups…and then out again. She probably sees your house as someplace that causes pain or harm. Yes it is warm, cozy and you are loving and friendly..but you have only had her for a short time. Give her time to understand that a nice warm cozy place isn't a bad thing. My Tzu is very afraid of storms, yet, all you have to do when it is storming is open a door and she bolts outside!!! I have yet to figure that out. Oh, she won't go through the pet door to go outside…but open any other door in the house and she will take off if you let her!!
My "Luci" still has a little problem coming in and out of the house. Sometimes she will come in immediately, sometimes I have to be inside before she will come in…or at least out of the door way before she will enter or even leave the house. I know it is hard, and you are doing everything right. Patience is the key. And if she doesn't come in quickly, especially with the coming winter…just gently pick her up, calmly say inside..and bring her inside and gently put her down..and be a happy camper and be pleased and show her you are happy she is inside. You may want to give her a treat to show her it is a good thing to be inside..even though you had to bring her in. "Inside…good Pixie. You say she has come inside once or twice…does she have the same problem going outside?? If that is the case, I think I would use completely different words to identify inside and outside. They sound too similar. Like home and outside…or just in and outside. In Pixie…out Pixie. In the house Pixie or outside Pixie. Or even possibly teach her "come". Be outside and say "come" when you want her with you…be inside and say "come" when you want her inside.
My Luci continues to amaze me at things she learn and does. She has made leaps and bounds in a week. Then is at a standtsill for a while. As long as your Pixie is treated with love and care and patience, she will respond to that. I can't tell you how long it will take her to learn going through a door is nothing to be afraid of..but with TLC she will learn. She may even suprise you one day and just do it!!
References :
Part of a rescue group that rescues mill dogs/puppies and have fostered mill dogs. And now have one of my very own.
Be gentle with her but NEVER use a baby voice. That'll just teach the dog/puppy that it's ok to be scared. Instead, use a matter of fact voice and don't make sudden movements. I'm sure she's curious about the house, just scared to come in. So prop the door open and wait patiently. While waiting, read a book.
Even if she comes in, don't make a big deal about it. Let her go at her own pace. Continue reading your book but keep an eye on her. After a while, go give her a treat.
References :
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