So I found this pit bull female a few days ago on the verge of death. She was extremely emaciated and could not move. I took her in and now she is doing better. She is still skinny but is able to walk. She had cuts and open wounds and appeared to have just had puppies. She doesn't play and doesn't even know what a toy is. She's very calm and sweet. I took her to the vet and nothing serious is wrong with her, she just needed antibiotics. She didn't even want to be inside the house but now she likes it. What can I do to make her more affectionate and get her to play like a normal dog? I gave her a bed and all she does in lay in it all day unless she has to eat or use the bathroom. She is doing a little better with getting out of it and walking around, I took it away from her to keep her from using it as security. Was that a good idea? Any help is really appreciated.
2006-12-21 11:23:36 · 13 answers · asked by sonyab523 2 in Pets ➔ Dogs
I actually didn't take her bed back for the entire day, I took it away to see if she would be more social without, but I did return it her. I don't want to anyone to think I was being mean to her. :)
2006-12-21 12:05:43 · update #1
Me and my partner do a pit bull rescue. We receive dogs like the one you have all the time. She sounds like she is trying to build trust with you. Do not take her bed. It is her security blanket. To take it away is to take away a little of her trust. She feels safe on the bedding so that is where she wants to be. Once she realizes you are not going to hurt her like she has been in the past she will warm up to you. Be patient. We found a group of Mexicans beating a pit bull to death in the middle of the street because he would not fight. We got the cops to assist us and we took the dog. It took us 8 months to gain the dogs trust that we would not hurt him. It also did not help he had knife gashes we had to treat either. He now has lived with us for 4 years and is a lovable playful and sweet baby who hogs my side of the bed LOL. Just be patient and show her you are not going to hurt her.
2006-12-24 21:54:04 · answer #1 · answered by vamp_of_jade 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
The reason she might be like that is the antibiotics might have her like that. Our dog did the same thing when we gave her the medicine but after that she got more hyper. Just let her finish her medication and then give her a couple of days to a week maybe and she should be feeling better. And for her being more affectionate, all you can do is give her love and let her love you back in time. She was probably abused and neglected before you got her. She will learn in time that you are not going to do the same to her as her previous owners. Just give her time.
2006-12-21 21:24:23 · answer #2 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
I have a pittbull boxer Belladonna. I found her in pretty much the same state. She had just had puppies and was so skinny you could put your fingers around her spine. We nursed her back to health but she was very unresponsive for months. It was almost 1yr before she started acting anything like a normal dog.
It took lots of attention and love. She didn't respond to us at all at first she was in her own world. She didn't care one way or the other if we petted her or anything else. She just stared into space. We even though she was deaf for the longest time. But we babied her allot and practically forced her to play and she came out of it on her own.
We have had her 4yrs now and she is the sweetest dog you could ever want. She is snoring on my couch right now.
As for the bed. Bell wanted her blanket all the time. She seemed more distant without it so we let her have it all the time.But gave her lots of attention. In our case i think she needed the comfort and security of her own place to feel safe after all she went through.
I've dealt with other types of dogs that have been in bad shape but never had one act like a zombie like Bell did. I wonder if it's something to do with breeds behavior.
It will take time but with lots of love and attention I think your dog will be fine.
Good luck!
2006-12-21 19:44:22 · answer #3 · answered by FX_Make-upArtist 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
You will have to give her a lot of time and love.
She has obviously been through something extremely traumatic, and needs her sweet time to get used to you, her new surroundings and probably to realize that you mean her no harm, ever.
Be patient. Spend time with her. Take her for long walks and eventually she'll come round and play. I'm glad to hear you're giving her a chance!
2006-12-21 19:26:29 · answer #4 · answered by tamara_cyan 6 · 1⤊ 0⤋
She will warm up to you in a couple weeks. A dog that doesn't move around at all usually just doesn't have any energy. Just let her sleep and eat for a while. This dog will remember all the food you gave her and be your loyal bodyguard when she feels better.
2006-12-21 20:37:56 · answer #5 · answered by glenbrent 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Your dog isn't used to her new (and better) life. She'll take some time to come around and in the mean time she needs security so I would recommend allowing her to have her bed.
Love her lots and give her lots of treats and praise. She could have a bit of depression because of her past.
2006-12-21 19:28:22 · answer #6 · answered by Mandy 2 · 1⤊ 0⤋
The dog still does not feel good. She will come around and be your best friend in time. Let her have her bed back you wrote that she was moving around more, a sign she is starting to feel better.
Good Luck
2006-12-21 19:28:08 · answer #7 · answered by shadouse 6 · 2⤊ 0⤋
Please give her back her bed. Right now what she needs most IS security -- not for it to be taken away from her YET AGAIN. Jeez. Don't you like to be secure? Give her a chance. You've done a marvelous thing...just be patient and continue to make her feel loved. She needs time to heal both mentally and physically. The physical part wil heal quickly. The mental part could take months. Don't rush her. Be patient.
2006-12-21 19:36:44 · answer #8 · answered by Dogmom 2 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Please give the bed back to her. Every dog deserves a soft bed to sleep on.Give her time to adjust to her new surroundings .She's probably still unsure of you and her new home. With time , love , and patience she'll come around.Don't rush her ,she'll come around on her own. She has to learn to trust again.It may be a long road ahead ,but well worth the work.
2006-12-21 19:52:11 · answer #9 · answered by pitbullmom 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Sounds like the kid's been through a pretty rough time and needs time to recoup. She's not going to get completely well over night. It is going to take time and a good diet.
She's is probably not too sure about you also. Sounds like she thrown out along side of the road and left to fend for herself or die.
Good idea to talk to her and pet her every chance you get to make her feel at ease. It is going to take a while.for her to bond with you and your family after what she has been through.
It really pisses me off people throwing dogs out on the road. I like in country and we are always taking dogs who have been thrown out to the Vet's so they can find good homes for them.
2006-12-21 19:37:55 · answer #10 · answered by JUAN FRAN$$$ 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋