Inheriting a dog

[Mol1628]

I'm taking on my nanas dog. Have had cats,rabbits,various reptiles and rodents, never a dog!
I'm not completely clueless but it's new to me. I'm just wondering what I've forgotten and what else I need to consider

She's a middle aged small dog, not sure on breed. She was kept as a breeders dog for 5 years and though not mistreated she didn't experience much life when young so consequently she's timid. Well behaved but timid.
I have two small children but room for her to be able to be away from them when she wants.
She's used to sleeping and going into her cage when my nana went out of the house or went to bed so I assume I should keep up with this and keep it her safe space where the children aren't allowed to approach her.
I'll be bringing her cage, bed, toys, food, bowls etc everything with me.

All medical stuff is up to date she's been well cared for so after a couple of weeks I'll take her to register with my local vet. Assume I shouldn't do this straight away till she's come to trust me a bit more!

We have a secure garden with grass so she can toilet and exercise out there and she's scared of traffic noise so I think early morning and late evening walks.

What am I forgetting?! I'm actually quite nervous despite having taken on lots of animals in the past.

Thanks in advance.

Looks a bit like my dads late Cairne terrier. Very cute, well done !

Chicken and rice is a good call I'll try it thanks.

She ate a dentastick which I gave her when I left this morning.

Children have seen her and are being great at leaving her alone when she's in the cage etc and are quite calm about the whole situation.

She's eaten a bit now!

Also when out this morning she saw a big dog on a lead and totally ignored it. But then we later saw a small little dog and she was pulling a bit and growling. Didn't seem aggressive. I hope this isn't going to be a problem. Is it normal to an extent?

It can be quite terrierlike behaviour, I think. My dog is awful with other dogs on the lead - growling and barking - and awful with other Jack Russells as she doesn't like the way they growl and bark (oh the irony)

Yay for her starting to eat! !!

I don't know how clear these will be on here, but you could perhaps show your children these photos to help them understand when the dog needs some space/time on their own. Things like yawning or licking their nose can be signs of stress, for example.

She looks gorgeous though, OP

Watch out for chicken as some dogs can be sensitive, ours is. Boiled white fish goes down well with rice

Well first full day with her today seems to have gone well. She doesn't seem too unhappy or scared. She's spending a lot of time in her crate. It's open and she has a wander around but soon retreats back. But I think that's generally how she is anyway.

I've been in and out a few times today and both times she's been fine and very excited when I returned.

Does anyone know what these things are? Treats? She much prefers them to her ordinary food but they're in a tub just labelled dog so I'm not sure.

Oh and here's a better photo.

Yeah they're a bit soft.
She's just so disinterested in her proper food. She ate when I mixed a couple of those things in and took some of the normal food with them.
I think she's been quite spoilt, eating off my nanas plate regularly. I hope she won't be too sad that I won't be doing that. I'm willing to keep up with her routines but not that one.

Oo no haven't tried scrambled egg. I make it for the boys all the time. I put a tiny bit of cows milk and butter in though would that be bad?

Be sure to tell your Nana how she is and you have and looking after her, I know you say she not conscious, but she might still have hearing and am sure will be a comfort to her.

My vet said just egg, no butter and milk, but my dog was poorly at the rice. Can also second the white fish and rice. Also sweet potato. We chop a sweet potato into cubes and boil (not to much so they lose their shape) and keep them in the fridge for healthy treats.

Thanks. Yes she's been told i hope she can hear and understands on some level.
You're all helpful thanks so much.

Oh one other thing. She's a bit pongy. Probably due a bath and groom. I've no idea how to do this. I assume find a good groomers once she's settled and trusts me?

DM's dog was off her food at first. Is it dried or wet? If wet, don't serve straight from the fridge.

Do you have her vet history? As you coujd ring and ask about whether she has any special dietary requirements. My dog and my mum's love chicken, but some other posters have dogs that can't eat it.

For the chip, on the website there's a bit about what to do if the owner can't/won't sign off.

For now I would tackle the ponginess with dog wipes that you can get from larger supermarkets and most pet shops and maybe leave the bath for now - baths might bed her favourite thing but maybe not
Try and look at her teeth if possible as sometimes a smelly dog is due to bad teeth

She looks like a norfolk with an overgrown tail!

Maybe get her some more interesting dog food. Wet food is generally more appetising than dry biscuits. You can mix a bit in with the dry. I'd start with a high end, sensitive one to stop any upset.

I'd just shove her in the bath and wash her with a bowl of water or the showered. Careful not to get water inner ears. You should get doggy shampoo but I've used johnsons baby before in an emergency fox poo situation.

I think she's had regular dental care but will get the vet to check her over when she goes in the next week or so.

Mostly I think she needs a bath and a clipping so I assume I can take her somewhere for this? I'll wait till she trusts me a bit more and maybe try some wipes for now.

All positive so far. I am worried she's going to change when she gets settled in but overall she's been very pleasant and doesn't seem to bothered about the children. I'm taking her on three long walks a day which she is enjoying once I convince her to leave! She's always reluctant to actually leave and loves it when she's going, but apparently she's always done that. I've been encouraging her out of the crate with a treat so I'm not putting hands in and grabbing her and then putting her harness on after she's come out and had the biscuit I hope that's ok.

I made her some plain scrambled egg this afternoon and she LOVED it. Wolfed the whole thing down. Still no interest in the proper dog food.

Thank you. Is an egg daily ok?

Ok thanks. To be honest she's probably been eating so much human food I'm hoping that with three good paced walks a day and no extra food the weight will come off easily.

She's been a lot better today. Seemed in better spirits. Generally very friendly. She's let the children say hello and gently stroke her and she is loving all the fuss. She's also discovered the sofa and has spent most of the evening on it. She tried to follow me upstairs as well but we aren't allowing her upstairs. Yesterday she just stuck to her cage mostly.

Here she is in her new favourite spot.