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The doghouse

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Original poster

Very scared puppy

36 replies

CleverQuacks · 20/02/2023 19:30

I am a dog foster carer for a small local rescue. I am fairly new to this so have only fostered one dog so far and he was very calm and sociable. He has now gone to his forever home and the rescue have asked me to foster another dog. This is a female approximately 12 weeks old. She was found straying, no microchip and no one has claimed her. She is a lab mix, possibly with some border collie in her.

The problem is she is absolutely terrified of everything. She just sits frozen and won’t interact at all. She is currently in kennels and not coping at all which is why they want me to foster her to try and see if she will relax a bit in a home environment.

The rescue are very supportive and have helped me come up with a plan to start socialising her but I thought I would also ask on here because I know there are some very knowledgeable dog owners on this site.

Any hints or tips for the first few days? I know socialising puppies is really important and being 12 weeks she should have already started seeing the world but I also don’t want to over whelm her.

OP posts:
FurAndFeathers · 20/02/2023 19:34

Take it slow and steady.
spend the first few days building a positive relationship. You can’t socialise her if she doesn’t trust you.
remember effective socialisation means keeping her stress levels low. Download dr Sophia yins socialisation checklist

SnuggleBuggleBoo · 20/02/2023 19:35

I've never fostered before but I would personally be inclined to let her settle in/bond with you before going out and socialising her in stressful situations. You don't want to, for example, stand outside a school with her exposing her to noisy kids when she's already in a highly anxious state. Instead I would focus on helping her feel safe in your home and with you for the next week. Feed her by hand, sit on the floor near her with your laptop or a book and let her come to you, stick to one room and the garden at first. Bless her heart. I hope you can help her come out of her shell.

Newpeep · 20/02/2023 19:53

I’d do nothing for a week. She won’t take it in anyway as her cortisol levels will be too high. Just be there for her, feed her, and care for her. Then think about it when she is better in the house.

OllytheCollie · 20/02/2023 20:36

If there's collie in there she will likely be highly sensitive to her environment, even more than a typical pup. Sounds can be overwhelming for them, their eyesight is ridiculous, they can see shapes moving on a hillside 900m away, but when tiny unfamiliar shapes and shadows can be very scary to them. Take it really slow and steady. There is good advice on many BC rescue pages about helping BCs with anxiety. But the basic principle I guess is get the bond first so she feels safe with you and can turn to you straightaway when she doesn't feel safe.

CMOTDibbler · 21/02/2023 08:03

With very scared pups I have fostered, my golden rule is keeping it very simple and safe for them for at least a week or two weeks - no going out, no visitors, no demands, just letting them decompress and start trusting me. A very safe space for them (a cosy crate with blanket drapes that they can hide in), an adaptil collar to help reduce anxiety, and really taking things at their pace.

ilovesushi · 25/02/2023 22:09

I have no personal experience but follow various rescues and how they work with traumatised dogs on facebook and everyone's advice here is spot on. Good luck with your foster!

Wallywobbles · 25/02/2023 22:18

Can we have photos of progress?

Quveas · 25/02/2023 22:41

Get an old throw on your bed and let her sleep on it close to you. This improves the bonding experience. Look into her eyes when cuddling, or stroking her - it releases endorphins that comfort and bond. Basically, become her "mother". Personally I would disagree with keeping her in and not taking her out. If she is currently 12 weeks old she actually doesn't have her full fear mode in place yet - that only happens at around 16 weeks. I would be doing little and often, with her in close contact / proximity so that she faces new things in small doses. Kennels are much more overwhelming at that age, and quite sterile - so she is experiencing the world on her own instead of with people and other dogs, who are currently peripheral to her worldinstead of central to it. Dogs crave companions and learn from them - she has nobody and nothing to consistently learn from because she's in a kennel.

somethinginthewater · 26/02/2023 09:09

So I had a 15 wk old foster pup arrive with me yesterday. If I speak to him he just hits the floor he's so frightened.
I have done this many times. The plan is to ignore him for as long as it takes for him to realise I'm not dangerous, all the time letting him see me interact with my own dogs. Eventually he will get it.
It will certainly be a few weeks before i take him anywhere. He's never been on a walk so he's not going to find this unusual.
Make sure your pup has a safe space to go to - crate/pen/chair - when things get too much. When they are this stressed you just have to wait.

Original poster
CleverQuacks · 26/02/2023 15:20

Hi guys.
thank you for all the advice. I have had her since Wednesday. She is making some very little progress but so far has spent all her time lying on her bed: only getting up to eat and go to the toilet when I am not around.

i have two questions:

  1. I have a plug in diffuser and she is wearing a calming collar. Both of these give off pheromones which are supposed to be calming. My question is, do these sedate the dog? I have tried Googling but got no answer. The vet said they could be used together but I am bit worried they are sedating her because she doesn’t have the energy you would expect from a puppy.

  2. I haven’t been able to start on toilet training because she is so afraid and if I take her outside she just sits and shakes. So far I have just been putting puppy pads down which she has been using. Do I put the toilet training on the back burner for a while until she is more confident? Or should I be prioritising it?

Thanks all!

OP posts:
Newpeep · 26/02/2023 16:58
  1. no. She’ll be subdued as she’s shut down. Just let her be. The pheromones may help but I’ve never found them that effective with a genuinely nervous dog.
  2. Yes. Stressed dogs don’t learn anyway. So just let her use pads and gain confidence naturally. Toilet training can come at any time.

Poor soul 😕 It’s very hard but extremely rewarding. Are they a uk dog or imported? It sounds very much like the behaviour of imported dogs including puppies.

Quveas · 26/02/2023 17:42

Newpeep · 26/02/2023 16:58

  1. no. She’ll be subdued as she’s shut down. Just let her be. The pheromones may help but I’ve never found them that effective with a genuinely nervous dog.
  2. Yes. Stressed dogs don’t learn anyway. So just let her use pads and gain confidence naturally. Toilet training can come at any time.

Poor soul 😕 It’s very hard but extremely rewarding. Are they a uk dog or imported? It sounds very much like the behaviour of imported dogs including puppies.

I was thinking the same thing. This level of constant fear is rather unusual in a puppy under 16 weeks.

I have also never seen the pheromones work in a dog - not saying it won't for some, but I have not seen them as being very effective. I have had far more success with hemp / cbd - which is safe for puppies providing you adjust the dose for their weight. It can be very effecfive for extreme anxiety. Make sure, if you are trying it, that you get a mix prepared for dogs (not humans) as the composition may be slightly different, but it takes an awful lot of it to overdose even a puppy.

Original poster
CleverQuacks · 26/02/2023 17:52

Thank you for your replies everyone. As far as we know she is a uk dog. She was found straying in England, had no microchip and wasn’t claimed. I think she has had very little, if any, human interaction though. Maybe from a puppy farm or been a stray her whole life. I feel so bad for her but also feel quite overwhelmed. I am new to fostering and I really don’t want to get it wrong for her sake!

OP posts:
Newpeep · 26/02/2023 18:29

Literally do nothing. Just be there. There are some little games you can do to increase confidence but it doesn’t sound like she’s ready yet. Feed her, be with her and just let her come out on her own. I wouldn’t even talk to her but I would be rewarding her with really nice food IF she chooses to interact with you. It’s very hands off to begin with with these dogs.

ilovesushi · 26/02/2023 18:33

Sounds like you are doing great. I don't think there is much you can actively do other than let her decompress and be a calm kind presence in the background until she feels ready to acknowledge you.

Original poster
CleverQuacks · 26/02/2023 19:35

Progress!!! She just left her bed to eat some food in front of us. Granted it was seconds but that’s a step right??? We all sat frozen to the spot not wanting to move and frighten her lol

OP posts:
justgettingthroughtheday · 26/02/2023 19:41

Where abouts are you based? I know an excellent behaviourist who would help you and would also do zoom consults if you would like their details?

But it sounds like what your doing is right. Just take it really really slowly at her pace. Try not to freeze too much when she moves because she may pick up on the anxiety. Just slow steady movements. She needs to learn that you moving is ok and safe.

Good luck and keep us posted!

Lizzy1328 · 26/02/2023 20:12

What's her name? Can we have a picture please? Following to keep up with her progress. Xx

somethinginthewater · 26/02/2023 20:23

Eating in front of you is massive progress!!
Agree with others above - I have used CBD oil for anxiety as well as Valerian Skullcup tablets and sometimes Valerian oil on bedding has worked. Yucalm chews are also good.

somethinginthewater · 26/02/2023 20:37

For those saying this level of stress is unusual... in a puppy farm puppy it's really not :(

Cheeseandpickleplease · 26/02/2023 22:23

I really rate the absolute dog courses;
they talk a lot about being aware of a a puppy reaching its limit (bucket full)
a d have calming games plus games for confidence too

You can pay for it but. A lot is free online or if you do a cheaper course you get access to the group and lots of resources,
its. Supportive community and I’ve learnt so much about different ways to support my nervous pup ( who we’ve had since 8 weeks but finds the world a scary place anyway!)

FurAndFeathers · 26/02/2023 22:23

Quveas · 26/02/2023 17:42

I was thinking the same thing. This level of constant fear is rather unusual in a puppy under 16 weeks.

I have also never seen the pheromones work in a dog - not saying it won't for some, but I have not seen them as being very effective. I have had far more success with hemp / cbd - which is safe for puppies providing you adjust the dose for their weight. It can be very effecfive for extreme anxiety. Make sure, if you are trying it, that you get a mix prepared for dogs (not humans) as the composition may be slightly different, but it takes an awful lot of it to overdose even a puppy.

Show quote history

CBD oil is not authorised for veterinary use in the Uk - it’s use in dogs is illegal
vmd.blog.gov.uk/2022/06/28/can-i-buy-cbd-oil-cannabidiol-for-my-pet/

FurAndFeathers · 26/02/2023 22:24

somethinginthewater · 26/02/2023 20:23

Eating in front of you is massive progress!!
Agree with others above - I have used CBD oil for anxiety as well as Valerian Skullcup tablets and sometimes Valerian oil on bedding has worked. Yucalm chews are also good.

CBD oil is illegal in pets in the Uk

somethinginthewater · 26/02/2023 23:15

@FurAndFeathers I am well aware CBD is not licenced for animal use.
There is nothing in that article to say I am breaking the law as an individual giving it to my own pet.
For the record I also give human grade Green Lipped Mussel and use natural shampoo which has not been tested for use on dogs.

FurAndFeathers · 27/02/2023 20:02

somethinginthewater · 26/02/2023 23:15

@FurAndFeathers I am well aware CBD is not licenced for animal use.
There is nothing in that article to say I am breaking the law as an individual giving it to my own pet.
For the record I also give human grade Green Lipped Mussel and use natural shampoo which has not been tested for use on dogs.

@somethinginthewater then read it again, the blog clearly states:

“Currently there are no CBD products authorised in the UK for veterinary use and giving your pet an unauthorised product containing CBD obtained without a veterinary prescription is an offence under Regulation 8 of the VMR. “

the VMR is the legislation you are offending under. www.legislation.gov.uk/uksi/2013/2033/contents/made

green lipped mussel is a nutraceutical not a medicinal product and giving it to animals is not an offence under the VMR. So yes the article clearly says that what you’re doing is illegal, and no it isn’t the same as green lipped mussel or shampoo