Toy poodle, rescued, avoids wandering the house. Help? Ideas?

Munchichi · 25-08-08, 00:35

I recently adopted a toy poodle from a shelter. She was rescued from a puppy mill about a month ago, and while we have taught her to eat, drink, and go outside, she very much seems to dislike walking in the house. She stays curled up on my bed or the couch most of the time, and I am trying to encourage her to walk around more to help her build muscle tone and proper health. Has anyone else been through this and can give me some ideas on how to encourage her to explore on her own? We have tried closing the bedroom doors and this helped, but she still seems to prefer lying down. She is now five years old and was kept in a cage for her entire life at the mill. I know that she got very used to just laying in a cage all day, but I want her to understand that we will let her roam around. She is very energetic outdoors, so she isn't short on energy! Any ideas? (Please, vets or people who have been through this only. Don't just tell me "go to a vet", because we have.)
She still doesn't really know what a toy is, but she has taken a liking to a small fuzzy blanket that she sleeps on. Right now, she's finding all the soft things that she can curl up on and hiding on them, so we're trying to keep laundry, pillows, etc. off the floor so that we can encourage walking.

pinkseaglass · 27-10-08, 15:28

your dog was seriously abused for most of her life, so its natural that she is reacting like this. she was probably beaten when she left her crate in the mill.

my suggestion is to walk her around the house every day. avoid using a leash the do this (leashes mean you are in control, and that her movement is not of her free will), get on your hands and knees to her level and push her along so that shes 'walking with you'. this not only will encourage her to walk with you, but it will help build a friendship as well.

considering she was most likely abused for most of her life, avoid anything that could hurt her or scare her in any way, that will only ruin her trust for you, and make her remain introverted.

good luck, and kudos for rescuing

give the little guy a hug for me

25-08-08, 00:35	#1
Munchichi Join Date: Aug 2008 Posts: 3	Toy poodle, rescued, avoids wandering the house. Help? Ideas? I recently adopted a toy poodle from a shelter. She was rescued from a puppy mill about a month ago, and while we have taught her to eat, drink, and go outside, she very much seems to dislike walking in the house. She stays curled up on my bed or the couch most of the time, and I am trying to encourage her to walk around more to help her build muscle tone and proper health. Has anyone else been through this and can give me some ideas on how to encourage her to explore on her own? We have tried closing the bedroom doors and this helped, but she still seems to prefer lying down. She is now five years old and was kept in a cage for her entire life at the mill. I know that she got very used to just laying in a cage all day, but I want her to understand that we will let her roam around. She is very energetic outdoors, so she isn't short on energy! Any ideas? (Please, vets or people who have been through this only. Don't just tell me "go to a vet", because we have.) She still doesn't really know what a toy is, but she has taken a liking to a small fuzzy blanket that she sleeps on. Right now, she's finding all the soft things that she can curl up on and hiding on them, so we're trying to keep laundry, pillows, etc. off the floor so that we can encourage walking.

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27-10-08, 15:28	#2
pinkseaglass Join Date: Aug 2008 Posts: 2	your dog was seriously abused for most of her life, so its natural that she is reacting like this. she was probably beaten when she left her crate in the mill. my suggestion is to walk her around the house every day. avoid using a leash the do this (leashes mean you are in control, and that her movement is not of her free will), get on your hands and knees to her level and push her along so that shes 'walking with you'. this not only will encourage her to walk with you, but it will help build a friendship as well. considering she was most likely abused for most of her life, avoid anything that could hurt her or scare her in any way, that will only ruin her trust for you, and make her remain introverted. good luck, and kudos for rescuing give the little guy a hug for me