Rescue Dog - Help please

fruitandbarley · 2025-09-26T22:54:03+00:00

Hi, We're currently fostering a rescue dog with a view to possibly adopt. We've only had her a week bit she's absolutely terrified of pretty much everything. To get her outside I have to carry her out then in again. We were told to get her a crate to feel safe in but dragging her out was stressful so We've made her a den with blankets which has worked well. We've taken her to vets who has given her some tablets for anxiety but we've not seen a huge difference. We've actually made quite a lot of progress in a week, she's now happy to be stroked, and she eats out my daughters hand. She's the most beautiful gentle dog with absolutely no signs of aggression, just completely passive. I know its only been a week but I'm looking for any suggestions to getting her to at least walk out the door herself. We're a very outdoor family so really would like a dog that gets the most out of that. We've tried treats but the desire to eat them isn't enough to over ride the fear. She currently would just hide in her bed all day if we didn't carry her out, and when she is she just stiffs a little, goes to toilet (sometimes) then will just sit and wait till I carry her back in. She has no idea about walking on a lead, she dosent follow you, just sirs or stands completely still and obviously we can't drag her along. Any help or even just reassurance would be much appreciated.

OlderGlaswegianLivingInDevon · 26/09/2025 23:56

baby steps.
You are trying to rush it.

Where has the dog come from - a puppy farm or abroad ?

MusicalCarbuncle · 27/09/2025 00:00

Definitely going way too fast. If she is happy at home, let her be happy at home. If you have a garden you could invite her out there first. Or just all go sit out there abd see if she comes without pressure. Definitely no leads yet, something unpleasant is associated with the lead, maybe.

Has the dog already been in foster or come straight from abroad-/ former hellhole and into your house on a trial basis? That’s not how fostering usually works, I have to say - not if done through a charity etc.

MusicalCarbuncle · 27/09/2025 00:03

She does sound very traumatised though.

She will be in shutdown mode and it can take months for that to ease, and more problematic behaviours can emerge subsequently.

Do you have the support of a good rehoming org?

NameChangeForThisQuestionOnly · 27/09/2025 00:04

It sounds like you’ve taken on a very traumatised dog! Do you know why she’s so scared, what’s happened to her previous? It’s a huge commitment. You need to give her time, patience, love, more time, more patience, etc. You can only go at her pace.
I adopted a rescue greyhound. I also had to carry him outside to toilet and carry back in again. This went on for over a month until he plucked up the courage to walk outside. Even then, he would not walk far. It was probably six months before I would say he was ok at most normal dog things. I knew what I was taking on with him though so I was prepared for it.

Leoislazy · 27/09/2025 00:05

You’re trying to move her too fast. It is a very, very slow process. You need lots of patience.

spiderlight · 27/09/2025 00:07

You need to slow right down and let her decompress. It can take months for a rescue dog to settle and it's far too soon to even think about walks yet. Use treats to encourage her to move from A to B - put them on the floor for her to sniff. Do things at her pace and take all the pressure off her for now, so she learns that you're her safety and not another threat.

OlderGlaswegianLivingInDevon · 27/09/2025 00:08

Have a look at the 3 3 3 plan for dogs - it gives a brief idea of how long this is going to take, remembering of course every dog is different and your dog could be much longer at each stage.

Original poster

fruitandbarley · 27/09/2025 00:09

She's from Romania, it has been done through a charity.
We're not trying to walk her, I meant just take her out the door thats right next to her den to go toilet.
We are leaving her to herself all the rest of the time, apart from sitting stroking her or just chatting every now and again.
Point taken about not rushing things, I was conscious of that and didn't think we were.
I'll keep positive and just give it lots of time.
(We did try to get a rescue dog from this country for months but having a 6 year old, despite him being gentle and pretty quiet and understanding about giving animals time and space and quiet, puts blocks on adopting any we've found).

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XelaM · 27/09/2025 00:10

Where is the photo tax OP?! 🧐

Original poster

fruitandbarley · 27/09/2025 00:13

XelaM · 27/09/2025 00:10

Where is the photo tax OP?! 🧐

The what sorry?

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Original poster

fruitandbarley · 27/09/2025 00:14

Thank you everyone, I know it's going to take months, I think i was just after some reassurance we will get there.

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OlderGlaswegianLivingInDevon · 27/09/2025 00:17

Oh gosh, another imported dog - i hope the charity has a good back up service provided.

From watching a lot of TV programmes we know the Dogs' Home Battersea ( For The Love Of Dogs ITV ) and Wood Green Animal Shelter ( The Dog House C4 ) allow families with children to adopt, this week one potential adopter - a man had 4 children and he adopted the dog.

Original poster

fruitandbarley · 27/09/2025 00:23

OlderGlaswegianLivingInDevon · 27/09/2025 00:17

Oh gosh, another imported dog - i hope the charity has a good back up service provided.

From watching a lot of TV programmes we know the Dogs' Home Battersea ( For The Love Of Dogs ITV ) and Wood Green Animal Shelter ( The Dog House C4 ) allow families with children to adopt, this week one potential adopter - a man had 4 children and he adopted the dog.

That's lovely, he obviously had more luck than we had. There's actually a thread on AIBU at the moment about how difficult it is to adopt in this country, it might be helpful to have this info on there.

I'm not going to feel bad about trying to give a dog a better life no matter where it's from.

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NameChangeForThisQuestionOnly · 27/09/2025 00:24

Look up Sophie from Romania - social media and also a book. She is a dog adopted by a journalist, from (obviously) Romania. She hid behind the sofa for 6 months! Maybe read the book while you wait for your dog to settle in.

Original poster

fruitandbarley · 27/09/2025 00:26

NameChangeForThisQuestionOnly · 27/09/2025 00:24

Look up Sophie from Romania - social media and also a book. She is a dog adopted by a journalist, from (obviously) Romania. She hid behind the sofa for 6 months! Maybe read the book while you wait for your dog to settle in.

Thank you. That's helpful advice (assuming it has a happy ending).

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MusicalCarbuncle · 27/09/2025 00:29

Is it a UK registered charity OP?

How much was the fee/ donation?

Ask the charity. If they are legit they will be able to give you a proper structured plan.

If they can’t or won’t do that, think really really carefully: you may not ever have the active dog you want and you may see behavioural problems later.

I don’t mean to be discouraging but it is vital to be realistic. My friend has a Romanian dog, who took a lot of effort and careful training in the early days, and who subsequently has needed nearly 8k of vet treatment for a medical condition probably caused by maltreatment, poor nutrition, confinement and lack of daylight early in puppyhood.

Has your potential adoptee been tested for B. Canis? You do not want that in a family pet.

Most reputable breeders of pedigree dogs would happily consider families with children, especially if you are dog savvy already. Having kids is not usually a barrier unless you are after a famously un child friendly, territorial or one-person guard dog type.

NameChangeForThisQuestionOnly · 27/09/2025 00:32

fruitandbarley · 27/09/2025 00:26

Thank you. That's helpful advice (assuming it has a happy ending).

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Yes, happy dog, happy ending, with a big social media following if you want a community to join.

chattyness · 27/09/2025 00:39

If you have Instagram go and have a look at. @ simonsits page, Isabel fosters dogs all the time & you could pick up some tips on there for helping your dog settle in. This year she had a dog in who was really shut down & she worked wonders with him. You'll have to scroll back a bit to her posts from April but look for a small dog called Tiki on there . He was an extremely shut down dog and little by little she got him out of his shell in a couple of months then he was happily re-homed to a family with two other dogs and he is doing really great with them. She did daily updates on his progress it was lovely to see him coming back to life.

Original poster

fruitandbarley · 27/09/2025 00:40

MusicalCarbuncle · 27/09/2025 00:29

Is it a UK registered charity OP?

How much was the fee/ donation?

Ask the charity. If they are legit they will be able to give you a proper structured plan.

If they can’t or won’t do that, think really really carefully: you may not ever have the active dog you want and you may see behavioural problems later.

I don’t mean to be discouraging but it is vital to be realistic. My friend has a Romanian dog, who took a lot of effort and careful training in the early days, and who subsequently has needed nearly 8k of vet treatment for a medical condition probably caused by maltreatment, poor nutrition, confinement and lack of daylight early in puppyhood.

Has your potential adoptee been tested for B. Canis? You do not want that in a family pet.

Most reputable breeders of pedigree dogs would happily consider families with children, especially if you are dog savvy already. Having kids is not usually a barrier unless you are after a famously un child friendly, territorial or one-person guard dog type.

Thank you, yes they are registered and have a Base 9 miles from me.
I've paid nothing so far as we're fostering, they've covered all bills and have been in touch every day.

She's had tests for everything before coming over and been checked again by vets over here.

We didn't want to get a pedigree dog, I've always had mongrels/cross breads.

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Original poster

fruitandbarley · 27/09/2025 00:41

chattyness · 27/09/2025 00:39

If you have Instagram go and have a look at. @ simonsits page, Isabel fosters dogs all the time & you could pick up some tips on there for helping your dog settle in. This year she had a dog in who was really shut down & she worked wonders with him. You'll have to scroll back a bit to her posts from April but look for a small dog called Tiki on there . He was an extremely shut down dog and little by little she got him out of his shell in a couple of months then he was happily re-homed to a family with two other dogs and he is doing really great with them. She did daily updates on his progress it was lovely to see him coming back to life.

Thank you so much, that's the hope I'm looking for.

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wavingfuriously · 27/09/2025 00:44

fruitandbarley · 27/09/2025 00:26

Thank you. That's helpful advice (assuming it has a happy ending).

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Yes good advice...think journalist was rory c jones ?

chattyness · 27/09/2025 00:45

fruitandbarley · 27/09/2025 00:41

Thank you so much, that's the hope I'm looking for.

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I hope it helps , wishing you all the best

DogsandFlowers · 27/09/2025 00:48

fruitandbarley · 27/09/2025 00:26

Thank you. That's helpful advice (assuming it has a happy ending).

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It does, I’ve had a Romanian dog you just have to give it time, months often, and good for you giving a poor needy dog a loving home, wherever she’s from!! ❤️❤️

Original poster

fruitandbarley · 27/09/2025 00:49

chattyness · 27/09/2025 00:45

I hope it helps , wishing you all the best

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Thank you so much. I feel better now, with some hope.
I've posted a picture as she's so lovely, I'll try come back at update in a few months.

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MusicalCarbuncle · 27/09/2025 00:51

fruitandbarley · 27/09/2025 00:40

Thank you, yes they are registered and have a Base 9 miles from me.
I've paid nothing so far as we're fostering, they've covered all bills and have been in touch every day.

She's had tests for everything before coming over and been checked again by vets over here.

We didn't want to get a pedigree dog, I've always had mongrels/cross breads.

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They sound good then, if they are a UK registered charity. Be wary of overseas-reg charities with a UK base or bases. I’m sorry if I sound like a nag but it’s a dodgy world out there.

If the dogs are tested and you have support, time and resources I’m sure you can really help this dog. My friend’s Romanian rescue is a lovely girl, not without challenges but very fun and loving once she knows you and providing you are not a man/ wearing flouro clothing 😂. I’d happily have her any time.

Good luck with it.