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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:
MyBrownEyedHandsomeBoy · 30/07/2023 09:32

You sound like a nice and caring person OP, I don't have any other advice to what's already been said. I think he will start getting used to you though it's only been a day. Hopefully the owner isn't in hospital long though because it is heartbreaking just reading how scared he is never mind being you and actually seeing it, poor dog 😔
Hate to think what he's been though in his little life 💔
Well done on taking him in and being so patient OP

Hoppinggreen · 30/07/2023 09:37

I looked after next doors puppy last year for a weekend and due to something that came up they had to leave in more of a rush than expected and had to basically throw him at me and run rather than help settle him in.
He has been here before but was terrified and wedged himself in a corner shaking.
I sat about 6 feet away on the floor with a book and some treats and basically ignored him while humming or singing his name softly and occasionally threw a treat in his direction. I gradually threw the treats closer and closer to myself.
After about an hour he came and sniffed me but I still ignored him, he kept coming for a sniff and a treat then backing off until after about 2 hours he was sitting on my knee.
After that he was ok, still nervous of DH and terrified of DS (who thundered downstairs) but happy to be around me and DD.

Original poster
EmmrT · 30/07/2023 11:26

Right, I've been pretending he doesn't exist, not even looking in his direction.

I've popped out quickly to get a portable little radio for him to put on soothing music, and bought a new mop and about a million puppy pads for the wees.

Before I went out to pick the bits up, I left some sausage pieces and grated cheese a few feet from his crate, and a bowl of wet and dry dog food, and fresh water.

I've come home and looked in the window into the utility (he can't see me looking in) and the sausage and cheese has gone, and he's had most of the food in the bowl! There were a few splashes around the water bowl too.

I'm so happy he's been out of the crate and at least eaten and drunk something and stretched his legs!!! That's a good sign?

Just to see him in a different position in the crate (one leg hanging out!) has made me ridiculously happy 😊

Any more advice gratefully received, thank you.

OP posts:
Nongatron · 30/07/2023 11:48

No advice as what others have already said is great but just wanted to say I think you’re doing a wonderful job 💐

cinnamonfrenchtoast · 30/07/2023 11:50

Oh that's fantastic OP! It definitely shows he's relaxing a bit if he's managing to eat and drink.

Keep going :)

DarkForces · 30/07/2023 13:10

That's brilliant. Just carry on like you are. If he comes to see you then completely ignore him until he's really comfortable. Don't look at him. Put your hand down to sniff but don't move it as a first step.

Original poster
EmmrT · 30/07/2023 14:08

DarkForces · 30/07/2023 13:10

That's brilliant. Just carry on like you are. If he comes to see you then completely ignore him until he's really comfortable. Don't look at him. Put your hand down to sniff but don't move it as a first step.

I think I've got more chance of winning the euro millions than him approaching me but I'll absolutely follow your advice if he does!

OP posts:
DarkForces · 30/07/2023 15:52

Fingers crossed for the millions for you!

CarrieMoonbeams · 30/07/2023 16:10

Aww bless him, poor wee chap. And bless you too OP, you're doing great.

We have multiple pets, many of them are rescues and are justifiably terrified when they first come here.

As others have said, the key thing really is to make no eye contact at all at this stage, whilst still showing him that you're not a threat.

I usually sit on the floor a good distance away, not quite with my back to them but certainly not facing them, and I read aloud. That way they get used to the sound of my voice and they learn that I'm not a threat. (I must confess though that when I was doing that one day, I came to an unexpected 'sex bit' in the book - no way was I reading that out to a 6 month old puppy 😳. So I skipped that bit out altogether!)

Good luck 💐

Original poster
EmmrT · 31/07/2023 07:52

Update, went to bed at 11pm and could hear the dog whining a little, I'm a heavy sleeper but woke at midnight to him barking sounding very stressed.

I checked on him and he'd chewed all the puppy pads I put down, and knocked off a few items in the utility room so they were unfortunately broken.

I cleaned everything up (still just ignoring him!) with him shivering in his crate.

I got my duvet and slept on the floor the opposite side to his crate, facing away...I have a bad back so I admit I'm sleep deprived now. He did come and sniff my feet at one point.

It feels as though he's terrified of me but is also terrified of being alone.

Day 3 now and he still hasn't been outside the utility room. He's weeing in his crate.

He's come out his crate to have breakfast this morning though.

Shall I just keep ignoring him?

Thinking I need to buy a camp bed and just sleep with him?

OP posts:
tabulahrasa · 31/07/2023 08:09

“It feels as though he's terrified of me but is also terrified of being alone.”

He probably is.

And yeah, just keep going with the invisible dog, it makes you non threatening to him.

Original poster
EmmrT · 31/07/2023 08:17

tabulahrasa · 31/07/2023 08:09

“It feels as though he's terrified of me but is also terrified of being alone.”

He probably is.

And yeah, just keep going with the invisible dog, it makes you non threatening to him.

Thank you!

So do you think, ignore the barking, or sleep downstairs with him?

OP posts:
SirVixofVixHall · 31/07/2023 08:23

I would probably sleep downstairs with him.
A couple of drops of rescue remedy in his water might help. There are also various natural calming supplements for dogs, I will try and find what my vet suggested when my dog was in hospital and very stressed.
Poor dog, he must have been so badly treated to be this terrified. You are being so patient and so kind OP.

tabulahrasa · 31/07/2023 08:24

Sleeping downstairs will probably get him used to you quicker, but... in all honesty you’re already going over and above what anyone would expect from you, so go with whatever suits you better.

Annaishere · 31/07/2023 08:29

Talk softly to him and sing lullabies

Missingmyusername · 31/07/2023 08:31

No advice sorry, I just wanted to say how lovely you are to be doing this.

With his toileting it’s a huge ask!

Annaishere · 31/07/2023 08:32

Also I think a dog could understand if you let him know that his owner will be back soon and not to worry

Fivecatsandonelizard · 31/07/2023 08:35

Is he this scared even with his owner usually.? It sounds like he has zero quality of life what on earth must have happened to him previously

A1b2c3d4e5f6g7 · 31/07/2023 09:13

My rescue was like this when I first got him, and he is still very very nervous of strangers.

Sounds like you're doing all of the right things. The destroying things is stress- mine did that when I first started leaving him alone for a few minutes.

If he's eating that means he is relaxing - normally the fear response shuts down their digestion completely. Keep it up with the little treats.

Is he good with dogs do you know? That was one thing that would help mine - having a neighbours dog over. He'd suddenly become a different dog and very playful and happy.

Original poster
EmmrT · 31/07/2023 10:32

Fivecatsandonelizard · 31/07/2023 08:35

Is he this scared even with his owner usually.? It sounds like he has zero quality of life what on earth must have happened to him previously

With his owner, he plays, cuddles, is sometimes naughty, but affectionate, sweet and a sofa hog!

He is frightened of strangers. And everything else! He was terrified of her at first, and he still can't be walked, though he loves her big garden.

It's such a set back for him but of course she would rather not have needed emergency surgery! Neighbour is doing well but will need another week in hospital.

I've promised to do my best. Feel very inadequate!! He's sleeping soundly now.

OP posts:
HiHoHiHoltsOffToWorkWeGo · 31/07/2023 10:55

You sound absolutely lovely OP, and you're doing an amazing job.

primoseyellow · 31/07/2023 11:01

The fact he sniffed your feet is a big step! You are doing a really good job by ignoring him and depending how long you have him it may get the stage where he is the same way with you as he is with his owner.

Well done!

Fivecatsandonelizard · 31/07/2023 11:17

EmmrT · 31/07/2023 10:32

With his owner, he plays, cuddles, is sometimes naughty, but affectionate, sweet and a sofa hog!

He is frightened of strangers. And everything else! He was terrified of her at first, and he still can't be walked, though he loves her big garden.

It's such a set back for him but of course she would rather not have needed emergency surgery! Neighbour is doing well but will need another week in hospital.

I've promised to do my best. Feel very inadequate!! He's sleeping soundly now.

Show quote history

It’s really sad something terrible must have to him previously 😞 you can only do your best and I do think dogs can pick up on Intentions so even though he’s scared hopefully it’s from the unknown rather than feeling threatened

cinnamonfrenchtoast · 31/07/2023 11:33

The fact that he came out to sniff your feet is really positive - just keep going with what you're doing and let him decompress.

You're doing really well!

3beesinmybonnet · 31/07/2023 11:46

You sound lovely OP. Lots of good suggestions here, I would add:

Drape a blanket over his crate so it feels more like a cave to him.

Give him a long lasting chew ie a Yaker that he can work on like a project.. Dogs use chewing for stress relief, and it also might save you some puppy pads.

I would sleep downstairs with him if you feel you can.