Rescue pup arrived today - toilet question

[PollyIndia]

Hi all... hoping there's someone here with some rescue experience. I picked up my rescue puppy today - 5 months old - and she has been really scared and mainly hiding in the crate, though come out to eat and sniff around then run back in. She just peed in her crate. She doesn't want me to pick her up or take her outside on the lead and I don't want to force her. We are facing the first night - any suggestions on how I encourage her to go to the loo outside? Or even on a puppy pad!
Thank you

[Blackbutler86]

Congratulations on your new pup :). Honestly I would just pop her outside, I'm assuming you have a secure garden. Being a youngster she will need to go out shortly after eating/drinking. As it's only your first day/evening with her accidents are to be expected but over the next few days when you pop her outside say a word like wee wees or toilet and she will start to understand. First thing in the morning take her outside and don't let her in until she's been, praise her right after and if possible a treat. Dogs generally do not like to toilet where they sleep. You can put a couple puppy pads in her crate under her bedding to help soak up any accidents but I wouldn't bother with them in the house.

With a nervous dog it's important to just go about your normal everyday business so she can get used to noises etc as normal. I foster dogs and take in a lot of ex breeding dogs that have never lived in a house before, they have a crate as their safe space but I do take them outside for toilet and then I just let them settle and get used everything. They always come around in the end :)

[OverFedStanley]

I would if possible put her crate in a small restriced area or puppy pen and let her sleep with the crate door open. She can then go out of the crate to wee etc but still feel safe in her crate.

I do not use puppy pads or newspaper but in this case I would - it is better to keep her calm and stress free as she gets more confident you can move the pads outside.

You are right to leave her be tonight

[Easterbunnyiscomingsoon]

Mm new puppy indeed......

[EcclesThePeacock]

Mop up the widdle with an old towel or kitchen roll, then thoroughly clean the crate (use the special deodorising spray if you have it). Then put the smelly towel somewhere that it's ok for her to wee. Outside may be too much of a stretch yet, so on a puppy pad.

With any luck this will help clue her into where we does and doesn't go.

Good luck!

[PollyIndia]

Ok lots of good ideas. I am leaning against taking her outside tonight despite the brilliant advice above, just as she seems so nervous but I got the bed cover out of the washing machine and have put it under the puppy pad near the door. She is in the crate with the door open in the kitchen with a stair gate across the door and I am about to get my son's spare mattress to sleep down here too. Just want her to feel safe and secure as quickly as possible. She's had a very long journey to get here bless her.
Thanks so much for responding.

[Wolfiefan]

Oh bless her. Has she come from overseas? She may just be very anxious.
Once she is happier then take her out frequently to toilet. On a lead. After eating or drinking or playing or sleeping and every half an hour. I did say a lot! Praise when she goes. She will soon get the idea.
Not lurking in case of puppy pics. On no. Not me.

[PollyIndia]

Yes she has - such a long journey it made me wonder if it's worth the stress to her. But then what is the alternative? There doesn't seem to be the same culture of rehoming rescue dogs in spain and there are way more strays. The shelter are inundated with puppies. We couldn't have rehomed from a UK shelter as far as I could work out from my research due to my 6 year old. The spanish charity and the UK charity they partner with have been amazing.
Anyway, she progressed to peeing and pooing on the puppy pads last night, and this morning went outside though had diarrhoea. Sorry if TMI!
She is defo still anxious this am but running around and exploring a bit more. Tail still down between her legs though. Guess it just takes time and patience, and maybe a few more nights of sleep. Will post a pic now - just sending from my phone.

[EcclesThePeacock]

That's good progress, well done. It sounds like she's fallen on her paws finding someone with the requisite patience.

[PollyIndia]

Here she is, bless her

[PollyIndia]

Eccles - oh thank you. Good to hear that is progress!

[EcclesThePeacock]

OMG, the ears! she looks bright and alert. Whether you are after a night on a mattress...

I think it's entirely normal for them to be a bit wary etc, suddenly relocated to a place with different smells, sounds and sights.

[adaline]

Ah, how gorgeous! She's lovely.

It'll take time but she'll settle eventually :)

[PollyIndia]

Er no, I can confirm that I am not feeling either bright or alert!
I've had a dog trainer round who is a friend of a friend so feeling reassured that everything is fine and she is ok for now. Baby steps!

[doodleygirl]

She is just gorgeous. What a great life you are all going to have together

[PollyIndia]

Thank you doodleygirl!
She played with a ball for a few minutes earlier and made me well up. She peed in the garden too. So we are doing ok!
Thanks for the supportive comments and help x

[doodleygirl]

Well done to you both you should keep a copy of this thread, as you wont believe she was ever not part of the family.

[Tutterly]

She is so pretty!