Update on Guppy the rescue dog

2 years ago

So I stopped by the HS to pay for Guppy yesterday and asked if I could take her home with me for a couple days until I leave on Friday and they said yes. Hubby is not here with the other 2 dogs, and I thought it would be perfect to see if she would do well with me without the distraction of her friends at the shelter. She reluctantly came into the house, I showed her where the water bowl is, and laid down on the couch to watch a little TV and ignored her. She slowly got closer and closer to me, and eventually jumped up to sit with me. She quickly bonded and stayed close to me from then on.

My only concern is I'm not sure if she's potty trained. I took her for a 2 mile walk last night (she's fat!!) and she never pooped or peed on the walk. I took her out several times on the leash to try to get her to void, and she never did. Took her out right before bed, nada. I walked around the house looking for soilage and didn't see anything, but was really concerned that she didn't at least pee. Took her on a 3 mile walk today right when we got up and again nothing. When we got home, I went upstairs and found her "spot", not sure when she went up there. poop and pee, so got the carpet cleaner out and then blocked the stairs. Ive take her out several more times and I have never seen her pee. I will take her for another walk this evening, but hope I can break her of this bad habit!!

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Comments (17)

Zalco/bring back Sophie!
2 years ago
last modified: 2 years ago
What great news! Is it too late to crate train her?
sal 60 Hanzlik
2 years ago
I would take her out whenever she goes by the stairs and then praise her. I think she will pick it up once the other dogs go out and potty. Might take a little time but dogs are smart. Don't give up yet. Looking forward to seeing a picture.
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I have to weigh in behind Cynthia again. It's easy to read things into posts that were unintended when you're upset about an issue like this one. Have you ever owned a dog before? or is this a new experience for you? If this dog is your first you're certainly getting your "trial by fire". Hang in there. Over the course of my life I've had several dogs and each one has taught me something more about the complexity of canine behavior and each one has had a distinct personality. The present one is big, bold, and intelligent. He is a lot of work. Martha is unsure of her status in the household and your daughter is the essentially the first rung on Martha's climb to "more status". She has her "territory" (her bed) and doesn't know the basic commands that are the cornerstones of obedience training. You have a potentially lethal combination of forces at work in your home right now. I've never had a 4 yr. old before, but I'd guess she can be "forgetful" about things like "don't touch the dog" only because she really wants to pat her and can't really grasp the potential danger involved. I'm glad you've found a behaviorist and I certainly hope you will beat feet to an obedience class ASAP. I don't believe the situation is without hope, but you ARE at a crossroads; you must commit yourselves 100% to Martha's rehabilitation or consider whether or not she is the dog for your household. Anecdote: We began obedience training immediately with our adoptee and he made great progress. No sign of agression or defensiveness with his food bowl, the cats, being handled. We spent 20 minutes a day on basic stuff, and made sure there was a lot of leash walking, too. One day, we were outdoors, working in the yard and he was parked on the lawn with a bone, contentedly gnawing away on it. We were ready to go in and I called him to me. He hesitated and just stared at me. I approached him, he lowered his head and curled his lip at me. "Leave it!" I commanded him. He dropped the bone and I commanded him to "Sit!". He did, but tried for the bone again... "Leave it!", and then "Come!". He obeyed me and then I praised him. But had we not been completely on board with training him early on the situation could have had a more unpleasant outcome. Now, he gets smaller bones and only when I know he will have time to savor them without interruption. And we have continued on leash obedience work to this day. "Leave it!" is one I pay particular attention to. It's the safeR way to take something away, and everything in our dog's world belongs to US, not him!
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what a terribly sad life she must have led. :( kudos for you for taking her in! one of my rescue dane girls was a very fearful dog when she came to me. for the first couple of weeks, i pretty much ignored her. it took that long before she did something (other than pottying outside) that warranted my praise. she kept her distance from me although unlike your dog, she did want to be in the same room with me. however, any attempt to interact with her would result in her cowering away from me and putting her paws over her eyes as if thinking "if i can't see her, she can't see me!" it will take lots of slow work with your pup. if you find that she absolutely refuses to eat, try adding a little ground beef to whatever you are feeding her. raw or cooked, either way. if you can find any canned tripe, even better! unless she is totally 100% shut down, she won't starve herself. i assume you live alone so this will make it easier. she will associate only YOU with the good things and eventually, she will come 'round. get down on her level as much as possible, sit on the floor whenever you can. if and when she approaches you, don't reach out to pet her. let her get close enough to sniff around. you can talk quietly to her (no eye contact, just whispering), just don't reach for her. she will let you know when she is ready for contact by becoming a little more insistent that you pay attention to her. a lady i know just recently took in a 3 month old pup that was so covered in mange and open sores, she did not have a single bit of fur on her body. she was curled up in a ball at the shelter, very near death. lana took her home and in less than 2 weeks, the transformation has been absolutely miraculous. she is growing fur, has learned to trust her human, seeks her out for attention and has just recently begun to actually play with toys. every time i get an update on her, i almost burst into happy tears! good luck with her. take it slow, let her trust you on her own time. you won't be sorry. my dane girl is now a velcro dog, loves my attention but is also totally confident to venture out and about herself and every person who comes in my house gets greeted by 165# of pure wiggle with a stuffy in her mouth. :)
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stacey_mb
2 years ago
Awww, glad your rescue is feeling comfortable at her new home! And hopefully the potty issue will be resolved very soon.
cooper8828
2 years ago
I'm glad it's working out. We got a "rescue" dog recently. My neighbor passed away and the dog was a regular visitor here anyway, so we took her in. We have some training/retraining to do also, but she is genuinely a good dog!
1929Spanish-GW
2 years ago
Shes still getting used to her new surroundings. One of our rescues only peed twice a day for several months until she got comfortable with us. Let her out hourly and control her access to remote orts of the house. Then gently potty train as if she’s not.
nickel_kg
2 years ago
Good thing you found "her spot" pretty quickly. She'll learn the ropes of her new home, no worries!
PRO
MDLN
2 years ago
Is she used to peeing/pooping off leash in a fenced yard?
Ninapearl
2 years ago
when you are taking her out to potty, is she loose or on leash? the best way to train is to take her out on leash to a specific spot, use a word she will come to associate with doing her business ("potty" comes to mind LOL). stay there with her for at least 15 minutes and just keep saying the word. when she eventually goes potty, praise her like you've lost your mind and make it the happiest time of her entire day. she'll get the idea pretty quickly if you are consistent. i know it's a pain in the butt to have to stand around and wait but you will be rewarded tenfold once it clicks with her.

i'm so glad you waited for her to come to you for affection. you know for sure now that she wants to be your friend. it's so sweet!
maifleur03
2 years ago
Besides the off the leash other thoughts are that she may have been paper/pad trained and not know that it is alright to go to the bathroom outside. The neighbor in back of me opens the door, clicks on a long leash, then sends her dog down the stairs. Granted I do not think my neighbor could use the stairs but there are other people that do the same. You may have to walk one of your other furkids with her or take both outside so she gets the idea that it is fine to go potty out there. Being desperate she attempted to hide what she had done.
pudgeder
2 years ago
Can't wait to see her face!!! Glad she's coming around too!
sleeperblues
Original Author
2 years ago
Cooper, so happy you got a new dog that would have gone to the shelter, glad she's a good one and good luck with the re-training!

1929, thanks for mentioning that about your new dog. Relieves my mind a little.

mdln, I think that's it exactly. The HS has a big open unfenced area where the dogs roam freely. We don't have a fence, so I either tie them out to go or they go on our walks.

Nina, thanks for the advice and I tried exactly that. What I found that seems to work is put her on a long lead and leave her be. Yesterday I found a pile in the yard that I didn't see her do, so I watched her today and sure enough she pooped and peed.

maifleur, I put pee pads down but she is not interested at all, I think figured out the solution. Get her out and don't watch her, ha ha.

I am going to take her back to the shelter today for a couple of weeks, and I am so sad. We have really bonded. She follows me everywhere and lays on the floor when I'm online or reading or watching TV, she sleeps at the bottom of the bed, she's started eating. Never heard a bark out of her. She's somewhat playful and I think she will get along great with the rest of the pack. I'm going to miss her so much, but I just think it would be too stressful to travel in an RV with 2 other dogs to a place with more unfamiliar dogs and people. But I think she is going to be a great dog! Thanks for all your advice and encouragement!
blfenton
2 years ago
When you take her back do you have a blankie that she has been using or a shirt of yours that she may have been with that you can leave withher at the shelter. It might help her to remember you so that she doesn't think she is being abandoned while you're away.
cooper8828
2 years ago
You're going on an adventure and will be coming home to another adventure! How great!
bpath
2 years ago
When Guppy comes back, will there be you AND the others? She might be a bit put out, although surely the scent was in the house during her sleepover. In addition to a blanket that has your scent on it, maybe bring something with your dogs’ scent to the shelter, too.
Ninapearl
2 years ago
In addition to a blanket that has your scent on it, maybe bring something with your dogs’ scent to the shelter, too.

this is an excellent idea! my brother-in-law and his wife recently adopted a sweet 7 year old aussie girl from the shelter. she bonded to them instantly and within a couple of days, she and he were inseparable. she had to go back a few days ago for her spay and not only did they send her bed and one of his tee shirts, she actually WORE another of his tee shirts. it was so cute! she was only gone overnight but i'm sure she felt more secure with his scent around her.

so glad to know guppy is becoming so comfortable and yayyy for poo and pee!! LOL

now, when are we gonna get to see a picture of her??
lucillle
2 years ago
I'm going to miss her so much, but I just think it would be too stressful to travel in an RV with 2 other dogs to a place with more unfamiliar dogs and people.

I agree. You are managing her first experiences with you well and setting her up to succeed.
lisa_fla
2 years ago
last modified: 2 years ago
We rotated bedding between the cat and the dog when introducing animals. It sounds like you are off to a good start

Update on Guppy the rescue dog

Comments (17)

Zalco/bring back Sophie!

sal 60 Hanzlik

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Update on Guppy the rescue dog

Comments (17)

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