Neglected Puppy Advice

[Annette]

Well done Sue.

No advice (no knowledge!), but lots of admiration for what you are doing in this poor little mites life.

I would echo concerns about watching him with your son, but I imagine you already know this.

Do keep on letting us know how you are all getting on.

All the best in turning him around.

 

[Mary P]

Hi,
Having got a rescue dog who (I think) wasn't given much, if any, freedom - when we first let him off the lead he just ran and ran - and it was really hard to get him back.
I would suggest (Penny B and the dog trainer I went to said the same) using a long line so that he has the feeling of freedom, but is still safe. You can then practice your recall with him and he and you can be confident you won't loose each other.
If he's a scared little chap, he might get spooked and run off.
Good luck!!!

[scooby's mum]

Sue

How is Barley today?  Sorry but you'll be mithered to death now by everyone wanting to know how he's doing  

[Jane S]

There is a nice little book available on training/socialising shy dogs which might be worth you getting Sue (if you haven't already). It's called Help For Your Shy Dog (Turning your Terrified Dog into a Terrific Pet) by Deborah Wood, published by Howell (ISBN No 0 87605 036 4).

Jane

[wahm]

Thankyou so much for all the advice!.
Here is another update!.
Barley is beginning to "relax" a little.He is desperate to play but won't play with us yet~he keeps trying with Simba our Persian though!
We have bought him lots of chews and a couple of toys as he loves to chew.
He is very friendly with Finley our 2.5y son.He seems to know that he is a baby too so is very clingy with him.Where ever Finley plays Barley will sit until Finley starts with his toy cars!.The cars scare him and he runs behind our TV.
I don't have to carry him into the garden anymore i just have to open the back door and walk behind him.As i do it i say"wee wees" and he seems to know what i mean.
He is doing really well with his toilet training!.He has had a few tinkles in our house but no poo's.He always poo's in the garden!.For a dog who has been locked in a stable all his little life he is very clean!.
I have another request for some advice please.
As soon as i put him in his dogcage and go to bed he has started to bark,yip and howl
I keep going back to him and telling him its ok but he still does it.He howled for 3 hours last night and about an hour the night before.Does this mean he is starting to miss us or id he crying as he's scared??.

Any advice will be gratefully recieved!.

[Jane S]

As soon as i put him in his dogcage and go to bed he has started to bark,yip and howl
I keep going back to him and telling him its ok but he still does it.He howled for 3 hours last night and about an hour the night before.Does this mean he is starting to miss us or id he crying as he's scared??.

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Perhaps you could try having his crate upstairs with you for a while & then maybe move it back downstairs when he's more settled & confident. If this is not possible & you have to go downstairs to him, don't make a fuss of him & tell him it's ok, be very matter of fact, don't make eye contact & no chatting to him, just quietly let him out (if you think he needs to go), then put him back to bed (again no making a fuss of him), then just potter about the kitchen until he settles (again don't look at or chat to him). A DAP diffuser plugged in near his crate could help him settle at night - not sure whether you have bought one or not? Undersocialised dogs can often be clingy & become anxious when left alone so you need to work on this during the day, not just at night. Aim to make Barley's crate somewhere where he's happy to go for a while during the day not just use it to shut him in at night. Crate Training takes time & patience especially with a puppy like Barley so be prepared for it to take a while but you'll get there in the end

[wahm]

Thanks for that jane.
I have just ordered a DAP diffuser so it should be here within a couple of days.
Sue x

[scooby's mum]

Hiya Sue

So glad Barley seems to be settling down a little, it will take time and patience (and hard work) but will be well worth it in the end when you have a gorgeous dog to fuss  

How old is Barley, don't think you've said in previous threads?

[taniac]

Does he like his food?  Can you bribe him with some tasty treats?  If so I'd invest in some hot dog sausages, cheese and a clicker.  

I think it's just going to take time and patience.   Good Luck and well done for giving Barley a loving home.

[wahm]

Shock~~~Horror

Oh my Gosh!

Today my husband had an afternoon off so after school we took the kids to a windy field to fly their new kites.I decided to take Barley too and see what he would be like on the lead.
At first he was scared stiff so i just stood by his side and spoke to him reasuringly.
After a while he lead me down one side of the field~ this took about 30 mins.He then started to get more used to the lead and by the time we went home~ 2 hours later~ he had done really well and had walked around the field a few times!!!!!.

But thats not all!

When we got home i had a pastry (walking makes me ravenous!) and offered some to him.He took it from my hand for the first time,then he jumped up against the sofa and let me stroke him for about 5 minutes!!!!!.

I think we may have made a break through~~what do you all think?.


Barley and Finley asleep after their fun afternoon!

[munchkin]

well done Barley ( and family!)

Barley sounds as though he is starting to settle down, its so wonderful when they start to do things like taking a treat from your hand isn't it?

keep being brave Barley

   

[suzysu]

Aw Sue - thats brilliant, I'm so pleased for you and Barley.

Gorgeous pic too xxx

[PennyB]

He was lucky to have found you.

[Gilly]

What a lovely photo  

[sweetie]

He was lucky to have found you.

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ditto,xxxxxxxx
big kiss to the brave little fella xxxxxxxxxxxxxxx