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The doghouse

If you're worried about your pet's health, please speak to a vet or qualified professional.

Original poster

VERY scared dog

186 replies

EmmrT · 29/07/2023 20:16

My neighbour has a rescue dog, 2 years old, with a bad history of abuse. She's had him for 6 months and he is still scared of everything.

She had to go into hospital today, she has no friends or family so of course I agreed to take the dog for her.

The poor thing is shaking in his crate. He's been in there for 5 hours now (the door is open), do I 'force' him out for a mooch around the garden for a wee?? I've tried gently coaxing him out with chicken and sausages. No luck.

Looks like my poor neighbour will be in hospital at least a week.

Any advice gratefully received. If it's better to leave him in there and just clean up the wee/poo then that's fine. Just want him to be OK.

OP posts:
DarkForces · 29/07/2023 20:28

Could you leave the back door open and leave the house for a bit? I think the more you try to force it the worse it will get and you risk a bite. Just take it at the dog's pace and clear up if needed. How sad that it's so scared. Well done for taking care of him

Madcats · 29/07/2023 20:31

You need to reach out to Rory Cellan Jones #sophiefromromania and his guru, Sociabledog.

Sophie has a journey from the sofa that is well tweeted. She didn't venture far, but peeded onto puppy pads somewhere.

Original poster
EmmrT · 29/07/2023 20:33

DarkForces · 29/07/2023 20:28

Could you leave the back door open and leave the house for a bit? I think the more you try to force it the worse it will get and you risk a bite. Just take it at the dog's pace and clear up if needed. How sad that it's so scared. Well done for taking care of him

Thank you for replying!

My garden isn't secure so sadly not...

If he bit me it would be my fault, I really don't want to push him into anything.

I think I'll just clean up the inevitable mess, would rather do that than make him even more frightened.

I wish I could just explain everything to him!!

OP posts:
FrangipaniBlue · 29/07/2023 20:37

Could you get something from your neighbours house that has her scent on like a blanket, jumper, cushion?

That might help calm him a little.

Original poster
EmmrT · 29/07/2023 20:41

FrangipaniBlue · 29/07/2023 20:37

Could you get something from your neighbours house that has her scent on like a blanket, jumper, cushion?

That might help calm him a little.

I've got his usual crate, blankets, toys, food bowls, toys and jumpers from neighbour's house.

He's sleeping away but hasn't been out for a wee for hours and hours, I've tried twice approaching to offer food but he just cowers and shakes! My heart is breaking for him.

OP posts:
Marcipex · 29/07/2023 20:44

Our very terrified rescue dog is partial to cheese. Try a little trail of grated cheese?

madeofcheeze · 29/07/2023 20:48

I wouldn't approach him. Poor little guy. Only been there 6 months and uprooted (through no fault of their own obviously, again). Give him some food and some puppy pads. He'll probably settle after a while

DarkForces · 29/07/2023 20:48

When my dog was a puppy I used to put soothing music on. She wasn't traumatised but was quiet from the first night. Lots of space and ignoring him. Maybe sit with your back to him in the same room?

madeofcheeze · 29/07/2023 20:49

I think if you're around but not directly interacting with him that would be best. He must be so confused

tabulahrasa · 30/07/2023 03:22

You pretty much want to pretend he’s not there, stop trying to coax him out.

If you can sit in the room, reading or something, not looking at him, not talking to him and every so often try throwing a treat where he can get it without coming closer to you, preferably so he can move away from you to get it... hard with a crate to be fair.

But basically let him get used to you being there in a totally non threatening way. And if he does come out, still ignore him. As in, if he comes out and starts sniffing, just let him, if he sniffs you just carry on pretending he’s invisible.

Eventually he should work out you’re not threatening.

re toileting and mess, he might surprise you, mine can go 20 hours if it’s raining 😳

cinnamonfrenchtoast · 30/07/2023 05:35

I know you have good intentions but you need to stop approaching him and trying to coax him out.

The best thing is to just sit in the same room as him and talk quietly, make no eye contact and let him get used to you without any pressure to actually approach you. If you can sit and watch TV or read then even better.

Toss treats towards him occasionally but again don't make any eye contact and don't approach his crate. The more you push him the more likely he is to panic and bite or attack you.

Hmmmbetterchangethis · 30/07/2023 05:39

As others have said, just ignore him. The more you try to interact, (however gently/kindly in your mind) the worse you will make him feel.
The slower you go, the quicker he can progress.

Original poster
EmmrT · 30/07/2023 07:06

cinnamonfrenchtoast · 30/07/2023 05:35

I know you have good intentions but you need to stop approaching him and trying to coax him out.

The best thing is to just sit in the same room as him and talk quietly, make no eye contact and let him get used to you without any pressure to actually approach you. If you can sit and watch TV or read then even better.

Toss treats towards him occasionally but again don't make any eye contact and don't approach his crate. The more you push him the more likely he is to panic and bite or attack you.

Well I'm a bit sleep deprived so apologies for typos!

He barked a lot in the night, everytime I came down to him to see what he wanted, he was in his crate. He did big wees throughout the night outside his crate, so I cleaned those up...11pm, 1am, 3am, 6am ...sometimes the barking coincided with him having done a wee, but other times he must have been scrared/unsettled.

His crate is in another room so shall I continue to leave him in there and just get on with my day? The cleaning wee and poo is going to take over a bit! I need more towels...

He's still just shaking like a leaf poor thing.

OP posts:
StrongTea · 30/07/2023 07:21

You can get those calming plugins and sprays. Also drops for adding to food and water. Might help a wee bit.

cinnamonfrenchtoast · 30/07/2023 07:24

He just needs a chance to get used to your presence without feeling any pressure to come out and actually interact with you.

So yes, either carry on as normal where he can still hear and see you, or sit in the room with hmm (avoiding eye contact) while you read or watch TV or mess about on your phone.

He basically needs to learn that you're not a threat, so if you keep approaching him then he will just get more and more panicky which could result in you getting hurt.

He may never come out of that crate while you're caring for him and that's okay too.

WarmButteryCrumpets · 30/07/2023 07:24

I got good results from a very scared dog by lying on my back on the floor near him. Showing your tummy is a universal sign of being non-threatening.

Original poster
EmmrT · 30/07/2023 07:32

cinnamonfrenchtoast · 30/07/2023 07:24

He just needs a chance to get used to your presence without feeling any pressure to come out and actually interact with you.

So yes, either carry on as normal where he can still hear and see you, or sit in the room with hmm (avoiding eye contact) while you read or watch TV or mess about on your phone.

He basically needs to learn that you're not a threat, so if you keep approaching him then he will just get more and more panicky which could result in you getting hurt.

He may never come out of that crate while you're caring for him and that's okay too.

I haven't approached him at all since tossing him treats twice yesterday- I cleaned up the wee but didn't look at him or approach, as PP advised.

Hopefully his owner won't be in hospital too long!

OP posts:
cinnamonfrenchtoast · 30/07/2023 07:35

Honestly you're doing absolutely fine ☺️

Original poster
EmmrT · 30/07/2023 08:08

Really, really appreciate your help, thank you!

OP posts:
gogomoto · 30/07/2023 08:13

Have you tried showing his lead and saying walkies, my grumpy old dog wouldn't show any enthusiasm even for food if he isn't hungry but can't resist that word or sight of his lead

cinnamonfrenchtoast · 30/07/2023 08:18

No problem! I've worked with a few dogs like this - it's so upsetting to see but honestly, try not to worry. He's safe in his crate and a few accidents aren't the end of the world.

Much better that he feels as secure as possible while in your home. The last thing you want is for him to escape, panic and bolt or feel like he needs to attack.

Purplecatshopaholic · 30/07/2023 08:21

Aww op, you are doing a lovely thing, and you have had some great advice on here. My heart breaks for a dog so scared (I have rescue dogs myself) - I so wish you could just tell him it will be ok.

Original poster
EmmrT · 30/07/2023 08:39

cinnamonfrenchtoast · 30/07/2023 08:18

No problem! I've worked with a few dogs like this - it's so upsetting to see but honestly, try not to worry. He's safe in his crate and a few accidents aren't the end of the world.

Much better that he feels as secure as possible while in your home. The last thing you want is for him to escape, panic and bolt or feel like he needs to attack.

You're right, as long as I keep him alive and safe, that's the priority!

OP posts:
DarkForces · 30/07/2023 09:26

I'd try not to move him now he's in a spot that's safe if you can avoid it. I'd also shut the door when you're not in the room so he starts to feel it's a safe space.

Just do as little as possible with him and take it at his pace. I'd try quiet classical music overnight and maybe a radiator if the room is chilly (unlikely but just a thought).

You're doing great

DarkForces · 30/07/2023 09:30

There's some dog calming music on YouTube that might be worth a try overnight?