How can I get my 2 yr old dog out of her crate?

Question

We recently adopted a 2yr old dog from a farm outside the city, and ever since, she has been terrified of everything. As soon as we got her home, she went to her crate, and has only been out once in 48 hours, even though the door has been open 90% of the time. She shakes whenever I or my girlfriend are around. She's not eaten much, even when the food/water is in the crate with her, and has only gone to the bathroom once, on her way to the backyard. Will this fear of everything dissipate over time, or is there something we should be doing now to get her out and about?

Answer 1

The first person is a little under informed. There is no evidence of abuse, and there is no way to tell how long she will take to respond to rehabilitation.
What sort of farm was it? "No kill" shelters and puppy mills are not really the best location to get animals. Both advertise themselves as farms, or 'farm raised'. Do some research, it will tell you which direction to take with her.
Give her some time. Cities can be scary to country animals. It takes some getting used to. She is gonna need lots of love, praise and affection.
Consider a trainer. Obedience training builds confidence in dogs, and teaches you how to train her without making her worse or you nuts.
Talk to her. Sit by the crate and offer yummy treats through the crate and talk in a soothing voice. Coo a little.
It's important to get her on a strict schedule. Eating and bathrooming at the same times everyday. That will cut down on accidents.
Insist she spend time with the family. Tip her out of the crate, put a leash on her and have her sit with you. This works especially when you are quiet together as a family. In the evenings watching TV or what ever you all do before bed.
Consider getting a book about rehabilitating rescue dogs. It's not as straight forward as you might imagine.
Call the farm. They know her best. Ask about her history and her routine. Try to do the same sorts of things.
Good luck to you all.

Answer 2

Your dog has been abused, and is most likely terrified of you and your girlfriend. The best thing to do is be patient and take time with her. Eventually her fear should lessen but it is also likely it will never truly go away.

If you want to get her "out and about," you will need to start slowly. You said that she has only come out of her crate once, try coaxing her out, talking softly to her. If she is small enough, and you don't have an issue with animals on your bed or other furniture, try picking her up coaxing her up onto a sofa or bed. When she is out of her cage, try to find time to sit and hold her wether its during a T.V. show or just for a few minutes. The more contact she has with you know the sooner she will settle in.

Another thing you can try if she isn't eating much is hand feedings. One of the only ways you can build her trust is through contact and if she will take food from your hand you may have a start. Whether it's dry or wet dog food, pick up one or two chunks and hold them out to her. She may not take them at first but if your using wet dog food, try sticking your finger in some of the sauce and gently rub it across her gums, under the jowls. If she is hungry the taste may encourage her to eat.

Good Luck, I hope she gets better. I've had a rescue dog for a little over a year now, and he is finally playing. All it takes is time, love, and alot of patience.

Answer 3

Well, your home is a new place for the puppy, so it is normal that they may not go potty oas often or eat as much in the beginning. amake rsure you give the dog clean water every day or more often. If the puppy doesn't eliminate after 48 hours, I'd take her to the vet, eplain the situation and see what advice they can give you.l It sounds like this dog has been abused, or iscelaited from a lot of people. If the dog is healthy, it just takes a lot of time, patients, trust, and praize for the puppy to come around. Good luck

Answer 4

This is most likely a sign of stress. Dogs tend to urinate unintentionally when they are under a lot of stress. Your dog probably does not want to go in his crate so it sort of panics when you tell him to do so. The only thing that I think would help if this is the case is a new form of calming meds that just came out for pets. It is like a mist that releases in the air to calm animals. I don't remember the name of the product, but if you ask your Vet I'm sure they could tell you.

Answer 5

Dog abuse is cruel to animals, because they know nothing! Your dog must been abused, and is deathly afraid of humans...don't blame her!

To cure this takes a lot of patience, and love, and time! Keep the door open to the crate each day. Just walk around your house, doing something. Don't have loud music or anything loud...AVOID THIS!
Sooner or later, she'll have to walk out. If she does, have a calm voice and let her do what she wants to do.
If she never comes out, try giving her a treat and make a path outside of the crate. After you make a path, back away and maybe she'll come out.
Hold her and hold her a lot of times. Give her a lot of loving, and she should soon be adapted to you guys.

THIS SHOULD ALL TAKE AT LEAST 2 YEARS.

Answer 6

How recently did you adopt her? Under what conditions was she kept on the farm? Was she ever socialized with people? Doesn't sound like it.

It sounds like her problem is she's scared of everything because she was never socialized. Is she even used to living in a house or is everything strange to her?

She's going to need a lot of patience and love, you can't try and force yourselves on her, let her take the initiative to come to you. Try sitting near the crate, but not right in front of the door so she feels cornered, and just talk to her. Offer her some treats, maybe put a stuffed toy in the crate for her. ( I was given a cat who was rescued who was scared to death of me and everything else at first, and sitting and talking, while still giving him space helped.) I'm sure she's hungry for attention, but just can't bring herself to trust just yet.

When you get her out to the yard, can you put her leash on and take her for a walk? Try and play ball with her in the yard?

If you've only had her for 2 days and everything is strange, she needs time and patience - take things very slowly, don't try and force her and I'm sure she'll come around.

Answer 7

It could be fear but, she could also be sick dog's don't like to be around people when they don't feel good....I would touch her nose and see if it's wet if it's dry she might be really sick.....If that's not the case though it's only been 2 days you have to just keep talking to her in front of the crate don't make her get out if you can try to put some food in her crate and just pet her head I think a little by little you can make her trust you enough to come out...i also question if the owner before hit her alot that could also be a possibility but, all and all you have to get trust out of her find something likes to eat even if it ain't dog food and lay it out on the floor in front of her that worked with my puppy good luck to you

Answer 8

Anytime anyone finds a TIMID dog they immediately scream "dog abuse" Almost every litter of puppy's has a "wallflower"
The dog is in strange surroundings so don't force it. Set her food and water dish one step away from the crate and let her get use to her new surroundings at her own pace.

Answer 9

You have to stay calm. Honestly it is better to ignore her for the fisrt week anyway. It shows you are a calm leader. Do NOT have your friends and family overly praise her. This will make it much worse. Just go about your daily activities . This will show her this is a safe and calm place to live and it should go away. She needs excersise too but don't push it.

MAN ARE THERE SOME BAD ANSWERS ABOVE!

Answer 10

just act like your a calm and nice girl and give him treats and if he's in his crate then get his favorite treat and maybe he'll want to get it and if she gets out close the crate and try to make here more calmed down it would be better to be alone without your girlfriend GOOD LUCK!!