New dog, new problems

mypasswordwontwork · October 2006

I just adopted a Beagle from a rescue shelter. She's one year old. She is getting on really well with my 11 month old Min Pin. However, my Beagle was previously in an animal testing lab where they used her for testing antibiotics, I think. Presumably they just left her in a cage and she had to piss and poo right there in her cage and stay in the filth. Now she is extremely timid, prefers to crouch in small places and just pisses wherever she happens to be sitting and then continues sitting or laying in her piss until I see it and clean it up. Before I adopted her, she had never even been outside!

I was wondering if anyone had any tips. I have put down wee wee pads but she won't use them, preferring to piss where she lays. She is understandably totally bewildered at the idea of walking outside on a leash but she is doing fine with that.

I don't see how crate training her would work since she has spent the last year being in a cage and defecating inside it.

What can I do?

Fortunately the crazy hyperactive little Min Pin is helping her come out of her shell socially.

Bizarrely she doesn't bark or make any noise at all. Beagles are supposed to be quite vocal.

anotherdayinbkln · October 2006

Thats some psychological damage your pup has. You will have to get her used to the outside.. maybe call Tyril Firth http://www.tyrilfrith.com/ , New York's reknowned dog trainer/behavorist (also does housebreaking)... Unless you can get Ceaser Milan to come to Brooklyn, call Tyril. I always see him in Prospect Park with pups that need help.

caaahyoko · October 2006

I definitely know what you're going through. My pom, that I adopted in February was also kept in a small cage constantly for 3 years. He was being used for breeding--puppy mill type situation. He had never been outside or on a leash either. The first week was pretty hard--he just hid under the bed mostly--but I think that routine was really the key. I took him out with my other dog every time, even if he already went to the bathroom inside. The first couple days I had to carry him across the street to Mount Prospect Park (when I lived over there) until he got used to peeing outside. But it did get better over time. He trusts and obeys me entirely. Of course, I'm still working on his trust of other people (much harder).

I've seen Tyril working with other dogs in the park, but it seems he mostly does training that works on non-abused dogs. There's a lot of him telling you to pull hard on their leash, loud corrective commands, etc that would have a negative effect on extremely timid dogs. I don't know if he does the kind of training that works with dogs like ours. But you may want to ask.

Of course, as you are seeing already minpin will help him. Especially since she (?) is generally outgoing. I fostered an outgoing terrier for awhile before I got my Pom, Panda, and it really helped my (also timid) mix Foxy. And he has, in turn, helped Panda. I'd be glad to help you if you have any more questions--I've learned a lot about working with abused dogs in the last two years. Feel free to PM me

And congrats on the new pup--he's very lucky to have you guys.

mypasswordwontwork · October 2006

caaahyoko wrote: I definitely know what you're going through. My pom, that I adopted in February was also kept in a small cage constantly for 3 years. He was being used for breeding--puppy mill type situation. He had never been outside or on a leash either. The first week was pretty hard--he just hid under the bed mostly--but I think that routine was really the key. I took him out with my other dog every time, even if he already went to the bathroom inside. The first couple days I had to carry him across the street to Mount Prospect Park (when I lived over there) until he got used to peeing outside. But it did get better over time. He trusts and obeys me entirely. Of course, I'm still working on his trust of other people (much harder).

I've seen Tyril working with other dogs in the park, but it seems he mostly does training that works on non-abused dogs. There's a lot of him telling you to pull hard on their leash, loud corrective commands, etc that would have a negative effect on extremely timid dogs. I don't know if he does the kind of training that works with dogs like ours. But you may want to ask.

Of course, as you are seeing already minpin will help him. Especially since she (?) is generally outgoing. I fostered an outgoing terrier for awhile before I got my Pom, Panda, and it really helped my (also timid) mix Foxy. And he has, in turn, helped Panda. I'd be glad to help you if you have any more questions--I've learned a lot about working with abused dogs in the last two years. Feel free to PM me And congrats on the new pup--he's very lucky to have you guys.

Thanks. Yes I think the Min Pin is the best possible companion for my timid new adoptee. The Min Pin, like most of her breed, is a hyperactive, ultra-friendly nutcase.

When I first gave the new dog a Greenies, she didn't even know what to do with it and she just sat there with her big old eyes looking almost scared of it. The Min Pin quickly showed her that treats are a fun thing and now she gobbling up the Greenies.

Potty training is a disaster area though. She was literally just pissing all over the floor all the time and dropping big logs all over my apartment. She does not go outside at all. I have had to put her in the play pen I used when the Min Pin was a puppy. In the play pen she is actually using a wee wee pad now rather than just pissing randomly....

New dog, new problems

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