I Adopted Sugar (Southeast Listings)

I adopted Sugar just 2 days ago. She is a sweet little maltepoo, listed in the Southeast listings if you want to read her bio. She is very sad after being taken from the only home she's known when her owners went into a nursing home. She has bared her teeth and snapped at me when I tried to wash her face or brush her. I know right now she is skittish and just needs to get to know me but how long do I wait before I try to train her to allow me to wash and brush her? I have never rescued a dog before, so this is all new to me. Didn't realize how hard it can be but I am ready for the challenge. I just want her to be happy and relaxed right now but she is a snapper and that's really not acceptable. Any and all advice on how to make sure Sugar is happy in her new home is welcome! Thanks, Pat

0 members like this

Comment

You need to be a member of Oodles of Doodles Rescue Collective to add comments!

Comment by Elizabeth Gunn on November 8, 2010 at 11:50pm: Great advice from all! Mostly the part about just leaving her be for a bit - she will come around. Try to ignore and accept the smelly face for now - actually, don't even get in her face at all at this point. Just let her hang out wherever she wants to and get a bit secure and oriented. Don't have a bunch of visitors to the house, don't take her anywhere you don't have to, just let her acclimate and relax. I know it's hard to not show your excitement at having a new furbaby and showing her around to friends and family, but she needs to be eased from the quiet retirement home environment into a regular household slowly and gently. I'm sure you're already doing these things, but just wanted to chime in. Little dogs are especially easily frightened by human hands coming at them - imagine how big we must seem to them! Try to stick with a routine and help her feel confident and secure. Good luck! I imagine we will be seeing a happy ending post from you before you know it!

Comment by Sue & the Crew on October 17, 2010 at 4:47pm: Oops, meant to ask: how is it going now?

Comment by Sue & the Crew on October 17, 2010 at 4:47pm: Patricia, Congrats! This was a great blog to read after being away for just over a week. Give her time, time, and more time. Sugar may need a month, who knows, maybe even more, but the lifetime of love and companionship that will follow once she comes out of her shell will be priceless.

Member Since 2009 Comment by Jeannine, Gamine & Thalie on October 10, 2010 at 11:11am: Patricia! She is gorgeous! She is worth all the time and patience you have to take for her adjustment. She will be your best buddy in a very short time.! What a sweetheart. Thanks so much for rescuing her!

Admin Comment by LM Fowler - Admin on October 9, 2010 at 12:39pm: Hand feeding highly prized foods like chicken/beef/turkey will teach her to trust you and know that you are the person with the "good stuff." Don't approach her, let her come to you for it. I really does take a few days for these shell shocked pups to learn the new is OK. Give her the time and space to feel comfortable and you will probably find that she is not a biter but a survivor.

Member Since 2010 Comment by Patricia A Carroll on October 9, 2010 at 12:30pm: Thanks for all the good advice. She is sleeping on the couch next to me but still is not sure of things. I am trying to stay calm and just wait it out. I feel she will come around. She was in a retirement home for 5 years w/little interaction with the outside world.

Admin Comment by LM Fowler - Admin on October 9, 2010 at 10:43am: Try going slow. Give her just some plain chicken pieces. After a few pieces, she may take it right out of your hand, build trust slowly.

Admin Comment by LM Fowler - Admin on October 9, 2010 at 10:42am: Awh, she's adorable. I can't wait to see some new pics. You know, Pat, she's so little that biting may have been a way to protect herself in the shelter, she was so scared. Give her some time to come around.

Comment by Susan D. on October 9, 2010 at 10:25am: Pat, she is such a cute little girl! If anyone has tips to help Pat cope with Sugar, please post here. She is baring her teeth and snapping when Pat washes her face after eating. Pat doesn't like the smell of the food on her face after she eats....