November 3, 2008
We've adopted an adult puppy mill rescue. Because of the abuse she's had, prob w/house training. Help anyone
Our adoptee is an adult female Yorkie. She is so shy but so sweet. Her life has been very rough, she is very timid around new people, and loud noises can send her heart beats off the chart… We know dogs will not use the bath room in their sleeping area, however, because of the years of abuse and mistreatment, she will go to the bath room in her crate at night. We are working on the house breaking issues. She was kept in a confined area, and there was no other way for her expcept to go in her cage. She really is such a sweet little thing. She's been with us 2 mos, I've seen good changes in her, and I'm looking forward to seeing how much she comes out of her shell. She is also truly seems to appreciate any kindness that is shown to her. It just breaks my heart to see her with our other dog, and know that she never learned to play. I just want to love on her and let her feel the love that she was never given. Has anyone else been through a puppy mill rescue?
I agree with others regarding treating her as you would a new pup, as her muscles are probably weak. that said, she may have other special needs of an adult. I've provided some guideline links below and here are few excerpts/tips:
-no food or water after 9pm.
-take her out frequently during the day, always after mealtime, last thing before bed and first thing in the morning…you may also need a middle of the night pee in the first few days. pick a mid time then slowly stretch it later in increments until she makes it to the morning.
-go to a consistent area, you can even try using a hormone pole (available at pet stores) to help guide her
-try to associate a command (good potty!)
-give lots of praise when she goes in the area you choose
-keep the crate or area she sleeps in small
-when she has an accident, clean her off right away so she will no longer associate accident smell with her smell.
-Copy the above with your other dog and time activites together. dogs learn a lot by observing each other.
-try to interrupt if you see her having an accident during waking hours.
good luck! i'm a foster parent for rescues, and it is always great to find adopters like you!
Filed under Yorkie Rescue by admin
Comments on We've adopted an adult puppy mill rescue. Because of the abuse she's had, prob w/house training. Help anyone »
I really can't answer this question wisely…but it is wonderful that you rescued this little dog. I rescued a dachshund that had been abandoned, but I didn't have these kinds of problems…probably because he was only about a year when I got him. Just give treats and praise when she's good, and don't scold her too bad when she's naughty (of course you know that!) cause it sounds like she's had enough negativity in her life, bless her.
References :
never have had that but we have done alot of rescue. Dont feed her or allow her to have water at least one hour before you crate her at night. I know this may sound cruel but its not she has not learned to control her bladder or bowels so you want to reprogram this. Take her out right before crating her and make sure the crate is not to large, some people make the mistake of buying a larger crate then is needed, she should only be able to stand up, turn around and lay down comfortably. To much space gives her room to get away from her accidents in the crate. When you get up in the am take her directly outside make sure there is a small bowl of water that she can get to outside. dont bring her back in until she has used the potty. You should start seeing a change in the next few weeks. with a little time and a little work she will get better. good luck
References :
Try introducing some clicker training for simple things - sit, lay down etc…. once she has got the 'idea' of the clicker then you can start to use it for housetraining…
Take her outside on a leash when she has just woken and after feeding (just as you would with a puppy)… when she performs use the clicker with lots of praise and a treat - it may take a while but she will eventually get the idea that when she goes outside, you are happy
Well done you for taking this little one under your wing by the way!!!
References :
I agree with others regarding treating her as you would a new pup, as her muscles are probably weak. that said, she may have other special needs of an adult. I've provided some guideline links below and here are few excerpts/tips:
-no food or water after 9pm.
-take her out frequently during the day, always after mealtime, last thing before bed and first thing in the morning…you may also need a middle of the night pee in the first few days. pick a mid time then slowly stretch it later in increments until she makes it to the morning.
-go to a consistent area, you can even try using a hormone pole (available at pet stores) to help guide her
-try to associate a command (good potty!)
-give lots of praise when she goes in the area you choose
-keep the crate or area she sleeps in small
-when she has an accident, clean her off right away so she will no longer associate accident smell with her smell.
-Copy the above with your other dog and time activites together. dogs learn a lot by observing each other.
-try to interrupt if you see her having an accident during waking hours.
good luck! i'm a foster parent for rescues, and it is always great to find adopters like you!
References :
http://www.sfspca.org/behavior/dog_library/housetraining_checklist.pdf
http://www.sfspca.org/behavior/dog_library/housetraining_faq.pdf
http://www.sfspca.org/behavior/dog_library/housetraining_puppy.pdf
I recently fostered a puppy mill rescue dog who had no housetraining. She was not abused, but was not socialized with humans and was very nervous around us as a result. I found it very helpful to train her to puppy pads first. Natures Miracle makes one that smells like just what dogs are looking for. She had serious crate issues from being locked in her crate all her life, so I blocked her off in my kitchen at night and put a pad down on one side of the room and a dog bed on the other side. Within two days she was going on the pad 100%. We progressed from there and I am told by her new parents that she is doing very well.
My dog didn't know what to do with toys either. It took her quite some time to figure out how to play with my other girls, and she had some very odd personality quirks. Loved to be held all the time, though.
I find that I can really feel the love of the shelter dogs I adopt and rescue-not that my other babies don't love us as well, but the smiles on my rescues faces every morning makes everything worth it!
References :
dog rescue volunteer