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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:
Original poster
Buda · 17/01/2009 21:33

Well he came out! (Thankfully as we were getting worried he was actually stuck!)

Ate some food and had some water and then legged it bag under the car.

But at least we know he can come out and hopefully he will get braver.

OP posts:
twoluvlykids · 17/01/2009 21:36

so it could be a looooong night?

KingCanuteIAm · 17/01/2009 21:39

In that case just let him get through it in his own time. Just make sure you are careful not to take him by surprise for a few days so he can get settled as quickly as possible.

Original poster
Buda · 17/01/2009 21:48

it could be a looooonnnnggg night!

And DS has a class birthday party tomorrow from 12 till 2 and then we have some friends coming for Sunday lunch!

Not good planning!

KingCanute - I think you are right. Hopefully he will get braver and also tomorrow when it is light we can open garage door and he can go into the garden. Am hoping he will get used to the house and us. We are nice people!

OP posts:
twoluvlykids · 17/01/2009 21:50

I wouldn't let him in garden yet, Buda, esp if he's nervous, he may bolt.

I used to take my pup in garden on a lead and collar.

Original poster
Buda · 17/01/2009 21:51

Really twoluvlykids??? I have a lot to learn!!

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KingCanuteIAm · 17/01/2009 21:52

May be best to try and keep a closed door or two between new pup and party

twoluvlykids · 17/01/2009 21:54

go and get a "puppy manual" from the library!!!

is there anyway you can postpone party till he's more confident?

Original poster
Buda · 17/01/2009 22:16

It's not a party as such. Just some friends coming for Sunday lunch. DS's party is a separate issue and off site thank God!

The friends who are coming for lunch have a dog so should be ok. Will make a decision tomorrow as to whether to cancel that though.

OP posts:
bamboobutton · 17/01/2009 22:21

how about starting the engine and revving the car a few times?

just joking

Original poster
Buda · 17/01/2009 22:23

I did think of it bamboo!!!

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bella29 · 17/01/2009 22:26

I know you're joking about the car engine but please be aware that he is at the age where anything scary is likely to stay with him for life

He sounds like a sensitive soul & you'll need to handle him carefully.

Best of luck.

bamboobutton · 17/01/2009 22:26

i'm just cruel i am i'd do it and have dh ready to slam the door when the terrified pooch races through[impatient meanie emoticon]

Original poster
Buda · 18/01/2009 02:53

Oh bella there is no way i would do it! The poor thing is so terrified anyway. I am just afraid that the terror he is experiencing now will stay with him for life .

I went to bed and DH stayed up. The dog has come out a few times and eaten and drunk but gone back under car afterwards.

DH now gone to bed and i will doze on sofa. I heard whimpering a couple of mins ago and went down but he is still under the car.

Worried now that 14 weeks is just too old to do this to a pup.

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PetitePeluche · 18/01/2009 03:12

Oh poor little soul. I wish I could think of something to help.
He just needs to know that you are safe and loving.
Can you ask the previous owners for a blanket or some bedding from his home to make him feel safe in this new environment? He needs something to associate with home.

Congratulations on your new baby by the way - I hope he settles soon.

bella29 · 18/01/2009 09:58

If it were me, I would coax him out with very smelly food again, grab him, and pop him into a dog crate where he can have a safe den, as that's obviously what he is looking for. You could put the crate in a quiet area of the house and cover the top with a blanket so he feels sheltered.

Otherwise I fear he may end up just trying to live under your car

ComeWhineWithMe · 18/01/2009 11:09

Hope you and the puppy are ok this morning Buda .

Original poster
Buda · 18/01/2009 13:00

We are getting somewhere! DH is tempting him out with bits of sausage (tried the cheese - no go!).

DH sitting patiently at bottom of stairs to basement, just outside garage door and pup is getting closer. We may do it!

Cancelled having our friends over and another friend took DS to his party so can concentrate on puppy whispering!

An hour ago he was under DH's car shivering in fear because we were in the garage and now he is about 3 feet from DH!

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Original poster
Buda · 18/01/2009 15:10

Definitely getting better! He is still in garage but not shooting under the car if we come in. Tried to get him out as it is cold in there but he is not happy to come out while we are there. So we have blocked off the stairs with a couple of suitcases (he was looking up and heard DH up there and def wanted to go up!) and have gotten his cage nice and cosy so I hope he gets wise and picks that. He did go into it earlier after DH left a little trail of sausage to get to it!

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Alambil · 18/01/2009 17:09

Can you grab him?

I'd be tempted to put him in the cage and lock it - just for awhile.... he'll realise what it's for then.

ATM he can just see this rectangular thing and doesn't realise he can go in it; even if he was crated at the breeders

Hope you get him out today

Original poster
Buda · 18/01/2009 20:37

He doesn't come close enough to grab . Am getting worried now. So is the breeder. She has never known one of her pups be like this.

Just tried tempting him to me with sausage and when I didn't put a piece on the floor quick enough he growled at me and bared his fangs. Scared me. I do not want to be worried that he will either go for DS or a visiting child.

Am so clueless. When the hell or how the hell do you know if a dog is TOO nervy?

OP posts:
ComeWhineWithMe · 19/01/2009 11:15

How are you all today Buda ?

Original poster
Buda · 19/01/2009 11:37

A bit sad CWWM. Puppy went back to the breeder this morning. He was so sad and scared all the time.

She came and picked him up and he was like a different dog. Poor little mite.

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ComeWhineWithMe · 19/01/2009 11:39

Awwwww I am really sorry .

Ripeberry · 19/01/2009 11:47

So sorry about that. What should usually happen with young puppies is that the breeder would ask you for a bit of cloth a few weeks before so that she can get the Mum and the litter to lie on it and get it nice and smelly. The you pick up the puppy and put it in the crate with the cloth and you don't let it out of the crate and then put it into a quiet place for the night with a warmish hot water bottle and a ticking clock.
I know it was difficult for you as he was sick so you HAD to get him out.
Are you going to get another puppy? Was it a pedigree? Sometimes mongrels are easier as they leave their mum MUCH earlier and they are less frightened.

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