Rescue dog

[teaforthree]

We rescued a dog from the RSPCA and she came home yesterday. She's been amazing so far, in the house and going for walks.

However, she's not been to the toilet yet?! She's been fine eating and drinking, but could she be nervous of the garden? She didn't go to the toilet on walks either. We've been taking her out in the garden loads, on and off leash but nothing. Are there any ways to encourage her?

Also, she's terrified in the car, the RSPCA said she was fine travelling but she really isn't. We ended up borrowing a crate which she was okay in but it's not ideal, our car is a meriva and we can't fit anything else in with the crate there. Are there any ways to train her out of this? Or is it just time and confidence? We'll be taking her out everyday in it.

Thanks!

[Scuttlebutter]

Do you mean she's not having a poo or not having a wee?

Bear in mind that she is being faced with an overwhelming change in her life, and is all at sea. It's very normal for rescue dogs to be out of kilter with toileting for the first few days while they are settling in - either to have runny poos or not to poo - in fact I'd be surprised if a dog didn't.

Just keep her in a nice, low fuss steady routine while she settles in and when she does go, give her plenty of praise and treats. Obviously if she is not weeing and hasn't wee-ed today then I'd think about having a chat with your vet.

Again, with travelling, I'd be encouraging her to think of the car as a pleasant environment. Practice her getting in and out with clicks and treats so that she associates the car with nice things. Give her time though - she's having to adjust to lots of new things at the moment.

Good luck.

[idirdog]

This is an excellent article on how to behaviour with your rescue dog in the first few days weeks and months.

Do not rush things. I would go out in the car again for a while until the dog is happy at home.

Brilliant advice for your new rescue

[idirdog]

behaviour = behave!

I would not go out in the car (and I have not even hit the wine yet)

[teaforthree]

Thank you for your replies and thank you for the link, idirdog. I've only just seen this, but we went in the car yesterday and this morning. She's not actually terrified in the car, she lies down and goes to sleep but its getting in the car she doesn't like.

This morning she was sick, but she seems to have a dicky tummy anyway, I guess it's just settling in, poor thing.

She pooed and weed in the house yesterday, but we took her outside and kept saying toilet, put some kitchen roll in the garden that I'd used to soak up the wee, and she's been in the garden every time now!! Lots of praise had of course.

Should I do anything about her runny tum? I only gave her half of her breakfast, I can give her the other half later, if she seems ok?

Thanks again