topic Re: update on my rescue dog- a hopeful beginning in Community Chat

update on my rescue dog- a hopeful beginning

lynbeechwood — Tue, 03 Jun 2014 14:45:53 GMT

After much thought and a few tear filled appointments with my vet-- I am keeping her! This little 4 year old toy poodle has been thru he** and I cannot consciously give her up. So far-as many of you have read- this baby has been spayed not even a month ago- has whipworm-tapeworm- a double yeast infection in both ears-and a bug bite on her face that she is scratching relentlessly. My husband got bit by her but in her defense she did not attack him - she was afraid and most likely didnt and doesnt feel good. I was going to get her healthy thru medicine and good food and love and then return her because I got overwhelmed --and scared. I have decided I cant give up- I am going to sign her up for training today and help her to continue to heal in all ways. your support and experiences have helped me so much. Right now all three of my dogs are asleep on my bed. She really likes my other two and they dont mind her either. I will ask for any of your ideas on potty training an older dog. I have found some accidents but how many times per day should I take her out and for how long? Again- this little girl deserves the best and I am going to give her all I can!

Re: update on my rescue dog- a hopeful beginning

Topaz Gem — Tue, 03 Jun 2014 15:37:45 GMT

I've been following your thread and can empathize with your situation. I applaud you for having the patience, during the quarantine period, to continue to try to get to the bottom of her problems. I sincerely wish you the best of luck with this little girl. I have a feeling that everything will sort itself out just fine.

Re: update on my rescue dog- a hopeful beginning

Jeremiah 2911 — Tue, 03 Jun 2014 15:38:28 GMT

Wow, I admire you for making the decision to keep this little dog and work with her. Definitely a hopeful beginning for her to lead a new and rewarding life...

Usually a dog needs to piddle after eating -- anywhere from 5 minutes after eating (small dogs) and up to 1/2 hour for larger dogs. For now, I would suggest taking her out as much as possible and note the times she piddles. That will give you a good idea about how long she can go between outings.

Also, you might consider training her to use piddle pads, if that is more convenient for you.

After reading how much love & care you have already given to this little dog, I have no doubt that you will be successful with helping her become the wonderful pet & loyal companion that she was always meant to be.

Re: update on my rescue dog- a hopeful beginning

Topaz Gem — Tue, 03 Jun 2014 15:39:15 GMT

I meant to add a comment that if you can possibly post a photo of her, I'm sure everyone would love to see it. I'm sure she's just a doll.

Re: update on my rescue dog- a hopeful beginning

RainyDayGal — Tue, 03 Jun 2014 16:41:02 GMT

Ah, this just warms my heart. I'm so happy you're keeping her.

I would take her outside every 2 hours. Also when she wakes up from a nap and after eating or drinking a lot of water. Our latest rescue took a couple of months to stop having accidents, we just had to be really consistent with her.

Best of luck to you and the lucky little girl.

Re: update on my rescue dog- a hopeful beginning

abbeythe 8th — Tue, 03 Jun 2014 18:35:43 GMT

lynbeechwood, you are a special lady.

Re: update on my rescue dog- a hopeful beginning

CamilleP — Tue, 03 Jun 2014 18:48:03 GMT

Bless you for deciding to keep this poor little dog, she deserves a great home and it sounds like yours is it! Re: potty training, my advice is always to treat the dog, no matter the age, just like a baby puppy. Take them out when they wake up, after drinking or eating, after a long play session, just before bed, and every hour or two otherwise, whether they've eaten, drunk, played, or anything. Take them on a leash to the same place in the yard every time, use the same word cue every time, and PRAISE LAVISHLY when the deed is done. You can include a special small treat of high value used only at that particular time, when the dog eliminates on cue outdoors. Keep those treats in your pocket so you can reward every time the dog eliminates outdoors, whether you took them on leash and asked them to, or they were running and playing and took care of business on their own. Of course, your other two dogs will want their goodie, too, so you might suddenly find yourself the doggie potty monitor, handing out gold stars in the form of cheese cubes to three greedy little piggies who just piddled one tablespoon of urine not because they needed to but that they wanted that cheese so bad, but hey, life could be worse, LOL! Best Wishes!

Re: update on my rescue dog- a hopeful beginning

JeanLouiseFinch — Tue, 03 Jun 2014 20:38:53 GMT

Congratulations on your decision. When we got our boy (Golden Retreiver), we were his third home within 10 months. He had all the sweetness of a GR, but lacked any consistent training so he came with some bad habits, but I wanted him so I accepted him under those conditions. The one thing he had going for him was that he was housebroken. We got ourselves enrolled in professional obedience classes and they helped a lot, but you have to be consistent and don't blow off the homework. Yes, they're controversial, but we also discriminatingly used an electronic collar to nip the worst things in the bud (eating the cats' food and counter surfing) and he learned quickly. My boy has become my best friend and constant companion, I can't imagine a life without him. I really hope all works out well for you and your new furbaby. And, thank you for giving this little one a forever home.

Re: update on my rescue dog- a hopeful beginning

Tissyanne — Tue, 03 Jun 2014 22:57:49 GMT

You are a special lady. I pray that all will become peaceful in your home in the coming days.

Re: update on my rescue dog- a hopeful beginning

emmysmom — Tue, 03 Jun 2014 23:38:15 GMT

I am so happy for all of you!! Please keep us posted on her success! You are a precious mommy! She will have a wonderful home, glad your other dogs like her, she needs all the love she can get! Wanted to add, I've had a tough day and this made my day!!

Re: update on my rescue dog- a hopeful beginning

luvmyteddy4 — Wed, 04 Jun 2014 00:08:09 GMT

I am very happy you are giving this little girl a chance. She will be forever grateful.

The first dog I adopted was 1-2 years old and not potty trained. It was very trying and she ruined the carpet in my new house but it all worked out in the end. Back in the 70s I don't think a crate was ever mentioned by anyone but getting another dog helped her learn what to do.

Re: update on my rescue dog- a hopeful beginning

Tissyanne — Wed, 04 Jun 2014 01:12:19 GMT

On 6/3/2014 emmiesmom said:
I am so happy for all of you!! Please keep us posted on her success! You are a precious mommy! She will have a wonderful home, glad your other dogs like her, she needs all the love she can get! Wanted to add, I've had a tough day and this made my day!!

I hope your tomorrow will be better!! Hang in there.

Re: update on my rescue dog- a hopeful beginning

nagrom — Wed, 04 Jun 2014 01:29:40 GMT

I am glad that things have settled down for you. Good luck. You sound very positive. Now hopefully you don't misinterpret what I am trying to say . Here goes it. When you were so overwhelmed with the dogs the health of everyone etc you were in a state of "shutdown". Well that is the same state your rescue was in afraid acting out sometimes okay and caring but previous history of her life makes a shutdown her coping skill. When everything settled down you are able to do positive things. Dogs read stress on their own kind and their humans too. I have owned rescues and my pack usually is three big dogs. Positive reinforcement is the way to go. Btw some signs of shutdown stress are heavy panting, sweaty paws, no interest in treats or food, disengaged with anything. Please post how you are doing. To crate put the best treat inside but away from the other dogs so there is no food aggression or resource guarding. I often use chicken breast or salmon anything high level for the most difficult thing I am trying them to learn. Smile and laugh for a good reward immediately after success. Any questions please post.

Re: update on my rescue dog- a hopeful beginning

lolakimono — Wed, 04 Jun 2014 01:57:46 GMT

I'm a cat lover, but I'm happy to hear this!

Re: update on my rescue dog- a hopeful beginning

Tissyanne — Wed, 04 Jun 2014 02:42:57 GMT

On 6/3/2014 lolakimono said:
I'm a cat lover, but I'm happy to hear this!

Me too!!

Re: update on my rescue dog- a hopeful beginning

lynbeechwood — Wed, 04 Jun 2014 04:12:34 GMT

Thank you all for your comments and tips and prayers- I appreciate them all. Today we worked on potty training- with the help Of some string cheese!! It is definitely helping! I am feeling more confident today about my decision. I wish I knew how to post a pic of her but I don't know how on this forum! I bring her outside for potty alot- can you be outside too long? Well anyway good night to you all and by the way I love cats too. I had a cat live to be 18 year old- I found her in our front bushes when I was 17 years old and she passed when I was 35! I loved her so much - she had the most beautiful green eyes!

Re: update on my rescue dog- a hopeful beginning

emmysmom — Wed, 04 Jun 2014 12:34:50 GMT

On 6/3/2014 Tissyanne said:
On 6/3/2014 emmiesmom said:
<em>I am so happy for all of you!! Please keep us posted on her success! You are a precious mommy! She will have a wonderful home, glad your other dogs like her, she needs all the love she can get! Wanted to add, I've had a tough day and this made my day!!<br /></em>

I hope your tomorrow will be better!! Hang in there.

Thanks Tissyanne, you are so sweet! I start a new job today and hopefully this will be a start a better things~

Re: update on my rescue dog- a hopeful beginning

lynbeechwood — Wed, 04 Jun 2014 15:50:03 GMT

Emmiesmom- good luck to you today!

Re: update on my rescue dog- a hopeful beginning

RainyDayGal — Wed, 04 Jun 2014 17:09:48 GMT

I would love to see a photo!

Open the file (the picture) then right click ""copy"" come here and ""paste"". Give it a try.

Re: update on my rescue dog- a hopeful beginning

Twoaces — Thu, 05 Jun 2014 13:29:37 GMT

So thrilled to hear this. I do believe you will all be fine. Housebreaking: several of my rescues thru the years have needed this. Most recently, an adorable 7 lb terrier X. I kept her leashed inside, and restricted access in the house by gates, closed doors, etc, when not on leash, so that I could watch her every minute. That way there could be no accidents. Before doing that I thought she would never catch on, but the restricted and supervised access, along with everyone's tips about going outside to the same spot frequently and praising with treats, suddenly clicked. Now, two years later, she would never think of going anywhere but outside and let's us know when she needs to go. Also, if she is afraid of hubby or anyone, just let that person give her treats frequently. A treat can be any teensy morsel that she likes ( beware of letting jer get fat from all this praise amd affection!). She sounds adorable. Keep us posted.