Need suggestions for helping rescued/re-homed pup adjust

I helped an elderly woman get my pup's brother as a re-home. He is much more of a rescue. He is so fearful especially of movement. He was so matted and full of fox tails that he had to be shaved - even his face! He will come to women, and to a man (if seated and offering treats). If you stand or move too quickly, he runs. The woman has limited mobility for walks and doesn't live near many places to take him so..... She keeps asking me for suggestions and I am asking all of you. I set her up on doodlekisses but, at 80, her internet capabilities are only basic. He already loves her, but she just had hip replacement surgery and had to leave he and her other dog for a week. She left them at home with a friend coming several times a day but he missed her so much he was somewhat destructive, poor baby. Nancy

SEE ALSO "LETTERS TO NEW RESCUERS" In this Group FOR MORE INFO ON THIS TOPIC

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AdminPermalink Reply by LM Fowler - Admin on January 19, 2009 at 8:48pm

Reply by Nancy and Ned on December 30, 2008 at 10:18am
Thank you for all of your input. Even though some of your suggestions are opposing, it is putting me on the right track. I don't know if Teddy is in the right home - but he is there and Trudy is his 4th place when you count his original home, puppy home, back to original home - but not because he was kept at her mother's house (isolated I think but....) then to Trudy. Trudy saw a picture of my guy in the newspaper, found my number, called me and said she really wanted a dog just like Ned. She even renamed him to rhyme with Ned! I knew that the breeder needed to re-home a pup "because he didn't like the man in the house" but I didn't know how severe his fears were. I didn't know what a fox tail, matted mes he would be (from a breeder!!!). I didn't know Trudy other than that she was an older lady with a yorkie mix who fell in love the labradoodles - just like my DH and I did. From our phone conversations, I thought she was "healthier" than she is. I really think that Trudy intends to keep Teddy but she has limitations so.... I would take him myself but I think he would HATE my busy house including men and adult boys. people in and out, 3 other dogs..... My mom has offered to "Foster' Teddy and if necessary this might work. I just don't know about the crate but I know that Trudy (like my mom) would have a lot of trouble opening one. I think I will advise Trudy to tell the man to ignore Teddy. That would be a positive thing he could do. I am glad to hear that hip surgery is a faster recovery. I am going to call Trudy right now and see how things went last night. Thank you all for your suggestions. Trudy is in Banning California - about 50 minutes from my house. If there are other doodle owners out there who could help, maybe we could take turns doing helping Teddy socialize.

AdminPermalink Reply by LM Fowler - Admin on January 19, 2009 at 8:49pm

Reply by Nancy and Ned on December 30, 2008 at 11:43am
I just spoke with Trudy on the phone. As we spoke Teddy was laying beside her resting his head on her lap. He has really bonded with her so I think she is the right owner. She was not feeling well but wanted to talk. Here is what we decided so far:
1.Teddy has been crated previous to her BUT she couldn't bend down to open or close the door (at this time); she will fasten a leash to a table leg when she needs Teddy to stay out of something like the other dog's food. She will give a treat-filled bone to Teddy whenever he is fastened to the table.
2.She will duplicate the dog beds because Teddy keeps taking the other dog's bed.
3.She will keep jars of training treats by the areas she uses, to encourage Teddy to come when he is called.
4. She will give the "housekeeper" and her hubby a proactive way to help Teddy adjust - tell them to ignore him whenever they come in and to sit quietly with a treat to call him to them.
5. We are going to get a gentle leader to try when she is able to walk him or if someone comes by who can walk him.
6. She is taping something to the wall Teddy chews with "repellent" as well as placing a chair in front of it.
What else??????

AdminPermalink Reply by LM Fowler - Admin on January 19, 2009 at 8:50pm

Reply by Nancy and Ned on December 31, 2008 at 6:42pm
I visited Teddy and his owner today and I have very happy news to report. Teddy has made great strides now that his owner is back. When we visited today, he was much less fearful and came up to me, let me pet him, fasten a collar and even pretend to brush him. He came up to my hubby to be petted. We brought Ned, and the doodles played and Teddy took his cues from Ned. Trudy is mostly still laying down but her spirits are high and she is looking forward to trying to walk Teddy when she recovers fully. The dogs all took turns getting into Teddy's new bed so I think the night bed-stealing problem may be solved ( I hope so anyway). I am feeling much more positive and I think that if we needed to take Teddy, he would be ok. He might be fearful but I think he would eventually settle in. Of course, the best news is that I don't think that will be necessary. I think that he may never be totally well adjusted in a busy or noisy place, but he will be fine in his environment and get lots and lots of love. The things he has torn up are really puppy and anxiety driven and will decrease with time. Thank you for all your support. If you have any more great suggestions - go to my site. I am sure more adjustment advice will be needed but I am so heartened by what I saw today.