Help with rescue dog desperately needed

[34leaper35]

Hi all
My sister and her boyfriend have adopted a rescue dog, let's call her Ruby. She is approximately two years old and very very anxious. She responded well when rescued but since arriving at her new home she has been extremely unsettled. She barks at any noise continuously. My sister has not slept at all since Friday morning (their new dog arrived over a week ago). She stays awake all night to keep her dog calm. If they try to sleep, Ruby barks and is extremely agitated. The situation seems to be getting worse and they are at the point where they feel they can't cope. They have anti-anxiety drugs for Ruby but they don't seem to be much to help.
Any advice hugely appreciated.
Thank you

I would go for professional help - a behaviorist, and sure the local vets could provide details.

Your sister could try either an Adaptil diffuser or collar. People have had great results with them or a thunder vest. Massage to help the dog relax and exercise. It's only been a week so give her time to settle in. She is only young and in that time has been taken from her mum and siblings, taken from her home and into a rescue and now been placed somewhere new. She doesn't know what is happening and is understandably showing signs of anxiety.

Put her bed in their room at night which should enable everyone to sleep. Lots of walks to relax her. Time- dogs bark at new sounds in new places until they get used to them. Make sure she is being fed enough, has chewy bones to chew on which also help them relax. Get help from a local dog trainer, or behaviourist.

Rescue dogs need lots and lots of calm kindness time and patience if they stand a chance of processing the trauma of being rehomed. Do you know anything of this dog's story?

What have the rescue advised? Has the dog seen a vet (presumably yes, as anti-anxiety meds prescribed)? Do your sister & her boyfriend have experience with dogs?

When you say ‘responded well when rescued’ do you mean the dog was OK when it first come into their home, or perhaps that it was t in rescue kennels very long at all? If the latter the rescue itself has rehomed too quickly.

My rescue dog took months to fully settle. Do not underestimate how long it takes for dogs to feel safe in their new home. They need to learn and feel comfortable with noises in the house, the smells, the routine, the new people.

Also just a side note, my dog howled every night for weeks. His whole world had been changed when we rescued him and he was crying out at night through nerves, fear and anxiety of the unknown.

Whatever your sister does, they need to be patient and not shout or get angry because that's going to make it worse and is also unfair to the dog who is already scared. Dogs never respond well to be told off.

In the end my dog ended up sleeping in our room and this helped his anxiety (rather than sleeping in the kitchen).

I feel for your sister but she needs to understand u can't just magically change a rescue dog, they take a lot of time and patience. They are worth it though.

Rescue dogs need time to decompress and settle. It can take weeks or even months, depending on the individual dog. During that time you have to give them the time and space they need and not put any pressure on them at all. The need to be feel safe enough to relax and for that they need a no-pressure environment and only as much contact as they want, you can’t force it.

First port of call for advice should be the rescue they came from. Decent rescues will have access to behaviourists who should be able to offer advice and support.

This article is a good basic insight. The only thing I don’t necessarily agree with is the bit about walks/exercising. Some really traumatised rescues need time to just be and acclimatise to their new home and garden before starting to venture further, it really is very individual.

Has she spoke to the rescue? was the dog in foster or kennels? It can take a good few months for a dog to settle in a new home.
Having a crate available at all times is good so that she has a safe place, I’d have that in my room and left open and dog has her nearby for reassurance.
If it’s a good rescue they should have a behaviourist they can recommend.

I don’t agree with lots of walks for an extremely anxious dog, if she’s happy to snuggle in garden Id stick with that until she settles and is relaxed with your sister, on lead in garden at all times as you’d be surprised how many rescue dogs escape.

@SBTLove. I agree. I think the idea of lots of exercise is often borne out of the myth that a worn out dog is a calm dog and doesn’t take into account the fundamental need to feel safe first.

I second keeping her on the lead in the garden as well. I have heard so many stories recently of newly homed rescue dogs escaping over the past few months. It’s shocking how easily dogs of all sizes can scale even a 6ft solidly built fence.

*snuffle in garden not snuggle!!

This is, usually, quite an easy fix it just takes time.

I’ve fostered for large breed dog rescues and a couple of bulldog rescues and have experience dealing with anxious dogs. Although I do not pretend to know everything! My new rescue has definitely put some new things my way, but here’s some bits that work for me.

Firstly, they need a routine. Routines help dogs feel safe, the more they get to know they get fed at 9 walked around 12 fed again at 4 the better they become. This is one of those things that take time. Eventually, they’ll be able to be more flexible in their routines once they’ve established that trust but initially this what they need to do. Rescues take time, it’s a scary period of settling in for them.

Secondly, your sister sitting with the dog all night is not helpful. For me, it reinforces the dogs anxiety. What would be helpful if she finds your sister presence reassuring is leaving a t shirt that your sister has worn with her overnight, this works wonders. Your sister won’t be there every night it isn’t realistic.

A PP mentioned a snuffle mat, great idea absolutely love them. Can be quite easy once they understand how the game works so brain games will help. But take the dogs cues, any kind of avoidance or mouth licking might mean they need a break. Short little spurts are best initially and will develop their bond.

Also, I’ve always left my rescues well alone. I set them up a nice little spot with whatever they come with, for example one came with a beach towel so I left her with her ‘familiar’ scent. They have their own water and I just let them be. If they want to come for a cuddle/a play that’s great but sometimes they need time to just learn the new environment in their own time.

I also highly rate thunder shirts, one of mine has one on her walks and she loves it. Makes her happy and approachable, immediate difference. Get the thunder shirt brand not the cheaper ones though.

My mastiff, currently curled up on me, shook for a week when she came. She’d never been in a home environment and everything was so new and scary. It was helpful that I had another dog that was just so happy with life so was a calming influence. I definitely think I would have freaked her out if I’d pushed her too much initially.

Rescue dogs are hard work and do present challenges, but without doubt they are one of my biggest achievements. So please let your sister know it’s a hugely worthwhile endeavour! There’s absolutely no shame in asking for help either, she should have a support network from the rescue and maybe join some FB groups for advice.

Speak to the rescue. Get some more background information on the dog! There are 101 reasons for this kind of behaviour.
I used to have a rescue ... she was nutty in many ways. One issue I had was, that she would not sleep / settle in the house. She had a kennel in the garden and be sleeping there through heatwave and snowstorm!

I would be finding out as much information as possible on the background of the dog. Also what environment the dog was in at the rescue. Once you know more about her you can solve the issue.