Pet Lovers

[geezerette]

@OneHappyHiker 

You make some very good points. 👍

[OneHappyHiker]

---

@geezerette wrote:

@OneHappyHiker 

You make some very good points. 👍

---

Thank you! Such a heartbreaking, then heartwarming, situation right here! If there were only a way we could rewind to see what he experienced, ahhh gosh wouldn't that be a wonderful tool in so many circumstances. He definitely sounds like he's a sweet mister.

[threecees]

We took our first dog leashed on a walking trail. She got to see different

faces, kids and other dogs walking as well. 

Start with little walks and then gradually stay out longer. Lots of exercise

for your Big Boy! The more he is out and about, he should start to come

out of his shell and the closet.

Congratulations on your new arrival @Ohio St8 

[monicakm]

I've seen enough of this kind of behavior on YouTube to know that it just. takes. time.  Probably more time than you think the right time for him.  Just keep showing him love and kindness and patience. You might find some advice on YouTube.

[Coastalcarolina]

It takes a lot for me to cry.  This did it.  Thank you for being such a kind soul.  I have rescued three feral cats who are my sweet babies now.  The world needs more people like you.  Bless you.🙏

[Ohio St8]

Thank you all for your suggestions. I have had a dog every day of my life except for the 4 years at Ohio State. We love this new guy. He has made some adjustments since adoption. I agree with those who said he needs time. He is so gentle. He adores my DH & has learned sit, stay, come, & let's go. We will try to give him the best possible life. Thanks again for your many kind comments

[jlkz]

My niece rescues dogs...usually they are on the larger size. Her household today: one English mastiff who has had hind leg surgery and will have the other leg done soon and one smaller breed who has a personality disorder and retreats into her crate upstairs if anyone comes to the house.  The two dogs are the best of buddies thought.

Her last mastiff was an adorable female...all you wanted to do was hug her !  How she got anything done was a miracle.  Isabel lasted only three years and passed on from an incurable recurring infection that weakened her.  But, she was loved !!!

[geezerette]

---

@Ohio St8 wrote:

Thank you all for your suggestions. I have had a dog every day of my life except for the 4 years at Ohio State. We love this new guy. He has made some adjustments since adoption. I agree with those who said he needs time. He is so gentle. He adores my DH & has learned sit, stay, come, & let's go. We will try to give him the best possible life. Thanks again for your many kind comments

---

@Ohio St8 

That's great!  You're definitely on the right track already.

Especially the part about giving him the best possible life.❤️

Too many people let their hearts overcome their heads when they hear the shelter stories and the dogs (and cats) often end up back at the shelter.  

It sounds like your boy has got a new wonderful forever home.  Please give us updates as he progresses! 💕🐾

[Eleanor55]

Thank you so much for adopting him. I volunteer at my county animal shelter & we advise adopters to give the dog time to adapt. Unfortunately, many dogs at shelters today are there for a prolonged period of time which makes it harder on them to adjust to being in a home.

There is a 3-3-3 "rule" that we tell adopters about. 

It takes a dog 3 days to decompress from the shelter & start adjusting to their new surroundings. Then it takes 3 weeks to settle in & learn your routine; this is when they discover that maybe this is their home too. Finally it takes 3 months to be completely comfortable with you & their new home & to build that bond with you. Of course this is a generalization; some dogs take less time, others more. 

It sounds like your new dog feels your bedroom closet is his new kennel. Perhaps you or your husband can sit quietly on the bedroom floor near him while he is in the closet. Perhaps after he comes out for food or potty breaks, maybe you could leash him & lead him to the sofa where you all can sit quietly with him. You may need to loosely hold the leash so he stays with you; I would not force him though.  After a few minutes, drop the leash & see if he goes back to the closet or stays with you. Set up a corner of the living room with a bed & some toys for him.

It takes time just as @OneHappyHiker wrote. 

Again thank you so much for adopting. So many people adopt & then return the dog soon after because they weren't patient with them. People want the perfect dog on day one.

Thank you for being patient with your new dog & reaching out for help. 

[pigletsmom]

I wouldn't force anything but I would try to encourage him to come out to have fun. Maybe to take him for a ride if he likes that or for a special treat or walk. I'd be a little careful of hanging out with him in his space too much. He might start to think of staying in there as how to get attention. I'd go in the room and chat with him while doing something else. I certainly don't mean ignoring him in there and sitting and hanging occasionally is probably fine. Poor guy is probably overwhelmed by having so muck space. You did a wonderful thing by making him yours.