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Original poster

Any advice on getting our terrified new puppy out from under car in our garage?

65 replies

Buda · 17/01/2009 19:16

Got new puppy today and he is currently hiding under my car in our garage and not coming out. Growled when DH went too close.

We would like to get him out and into a cage which is nice and comfy.

OP posts:

Alambil · 17/01/2009 19:22

how old is it?

Nemoandthefishes · 17/01/2009 19:24

aww would just entice him with toys and treats?
when we got our dog she wet everywhere and whined for the first day and whenever anyone went near her she shook and snarled. She is 18 now and the most lovely dog I have ever known

hercules1 · 17/01/2009 19:25

Put some little pieces of cheese in a bowl with a bed and blanket and leave him for a bit.

hercules1 · 17/01/2009 19:25

Put some little pieces of cheese in a bowl with a bed and blanket and leave him for a bit.

twoluvlykids · 17/01/2009 19:29

bacon

btw, how did he get there in the first place??

Original poster

Buda · 17/01/2009 19:30

He is 14 weeks Lewis.

Have put some food and water just outside the garage beside a basket. Have turned the heating on in the garage in case he stays there all night.

Poor scared little thing.

OP posts:

Alambil · 17/01/2009 19:32

aw bless

I would just try to retrieve him if I were you - a 14 wk old dog should be inside in the warm (not that it's your fault of course!) and if he snarls, just say a stern "NO!" and grab him.... I don't think a bite would do too much damage seeing as they only have teeny teeth just if he were to try it on!

hercules1 · 17/01/2009 19:33

Actually I agree with Lewis and also that if he does bite it would be no biggy. Wear gloves?

twoluvlykids · 17/01/2009 19:34

I agree with LewisFan - it would help if you could "bond" with him.

Do you have awful weather? Is that why he's scared?

Original poster

Buda · 17/01/2009 19:37

We can't actually get to him to grab him. He is right under the car.

twoluvlykids - we just picked him up this afternoon so he has been taken from a place he knew, put in a car, been carsick and then ended up somewhere strange with complete strangers. No wonder he is scared.

I have turned the radiator on in the garage and left the door from garage to house open and radiator is on just outside there too so it will warm up.

OP posts:

twoluvlykids · 17/01/2009 19:41

bless.

if he hasn't come out by bedtime, I'd suggest your DH sleeps downstairs by the garage door...

Original poster

Buda · 17/01/2009 19:49

LOL twoluvlykids! We have decided that I will sleep on sofa so that if he does venture out I will hear him. DH volunteered as he reckoned that he would be able to sleep on sofa if he had a large whiskey. Unfortunately nothing would wake him after that which kind of defeats the object of the exercise!

OP posts:

noonki · 17/01/2009 19:49

Is the garage ajoining the house?

if so I would turn the lights off in the garage.

open the door and turn the light on in the room, leave some food/blanket in that room. Then sit very quitely somewhere he cant see you and wait for him to come out.

Do you have anything that smells of his mum?

When he is out maybe sleep downstairs with him for the first night or two (I loved those first few nights with our little pup!)

lovelymumma · 17/01/2009 20:02

I agree with twoluvlykids,start cooking some bacon or sausages,dogs can't resist the smell:chicken is my dogs favourite.Goodluck,hope something works,before long they won't want to leave your side.

lovelymumma · 17/01/2009 20:04

oh,why do you want to put him in cage?I don't think he will like that if he is scared.

beanieb · 17/01/2009 20:06

get down to his level, even if it means taking a duvet in and lying on the floor. Then try for as long as it takes to coax him out. He needs to trust that nothing bad is going to happen.

KingCanuteIAm · 17/01/2009 20:07

Why don't you cut up some tiny bits of cheese, get a cushion and a cup of tea. Then go and sit quietly with your back to the car. Don't talk or make eye contact or try to do anything just sit with a book and tea. Pop a couple of little bits of cheese arms length away (under the edge of the car). Let him get used to you being there, it may take a while but he will come forard for the chesse eventually. When he does slowly put down another piece, just a bit closer to you. He will probably dive back but stick to your book and tea and ignoring.

If anyone comes to the garage (to offer more tea, hopefully ) make sure they move slow, talk quiet and leave asap without going near the car.

The excercise may take a while but he will get used to you and your smell and will start to trust that you are not going to jump on him if he comes close. Even if you have to give up at bedtime do it quietly and it will still have been worthwhile as the lesson will still be in his head tomorrow.

Original poster

Buda · 17/01/2009 21:00

Right we we have cooked steak - no move. Some noise which we though might be hopeful but he is still under there.

lovelymuma - the breeder had cages for all the dogs to sleep in. They are comfy and safe in there and he is used to being in one - we have a nice comfy blanket in there.

An what is with the cheese? He has only had mother's milk and dry puppy food till now. And he is a dog not a mouse!!!

OP posts:

KingCanuteIAm · 17/01/2009 21:05

Try it, almost every dog out there is a fool for a bit of cheese!

twoluvlykids · 17/01/2009 21:07

thought he would have been out by now.

cheese - strong foody smell

dogs usually ruled by their stomachs (like men)

cage - deffo good idea - safe den for him

Original poster

Buda · 17/01/2009 21:10

Will cheese make him sick?

OP posts:

KingCanuteIAm · 17/01/2009 21:10

Not if you don't overdo it, that is why you need tiny pieces, it is also great for obedience training.

Original poster

Buda · 17/01/2009 21:22

Will it work if he has never had cheese?

OP posts:

KingCanuteIAm · 17/01/2009 21:26

Should do, cheese seems to be hardwired into most dogs minds

Just give it a go, it certainly won't hurt!

twoluvlykids · 17/01/2009 21:29

is he out yet, Buda?

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