Will this puppy get better?

Question

I got this puppy a few days ago. She's 3 months, maltese. She doesn't respond to our calls or when we gently slap our thighs for her to come. She doesn't even look at us. She doesn't seem to care for snacks or treats. I have a notion that she was probably abused or neglected by her former owner because she would crouch and squeal when we try to pet her. She runs away and hides from us. Would she stay like this? Does she have a mental problem? What should I do?

Answer 1

my dog got put down because of a brain tumor and he was acting like this i had him for 2 years though so i don't know but just in case id take him/her to the vets!

Answer 2

I would get her checked by the vet and see if there are any medical issues first. If she was abused you will just have to give her time. I have adopted 2 abused dogs and with a little love and patience they tend to forget about their past.

Abused dogs are often the best kind of dog to have (not saying anyone should abuse their dog!!!) But when you save a dog that has been through heck and back they appreciate the little things you do so much more. My newest abused dog I have had for 2 weeks now looks at me as him I'm a Queen. All I do is set in they yard and talk to her and love on her. She acts like i'm the best thing since pupperoni's. LOL

Just be patient, "a few days" insn't long enough for a puppy to get use to everything.

good luck - and good for you for saving that little puppy

Answer 3

First, take her to the vet to rule out hearing and intestinal disorders.

Secondly, she's probably hand shy because she may have been abused. When you "capture" her does she pee? If she does, she's probably very scared. She doesn't trust you yet. So when she runs away and you finally catch her you will have to give her lots of praise and comfort.

Also is she housebroken? Probably not. Be careful that the techniques you are using to train her are inadvertantly the same ones that seem to scare her such as the slapping sounds or calling her (forcefully).

She seems to be just painfully shy and provided everything is OK in the doctor's opinion, you will have to be patient and show lots of love and reward her as often as you can. Just don't get mad at her and start yelling at her. That makes a vicious circle. She doesn't come to you because you yell at her, but you yell at her because she doesn't come to you. Makes sense? (Same for humans, too. . .)

Good Luck!!!

Answer 4

We adopted an abused dog that we had at least 10 years.
She only barked on three occasions, and all three times she hid under the bed for two days. [ previous owners beat her, then dumped her on the side of the road ].
She warmed up to us, and was one of our best pets ever -
just very, very quiet.
It sounds like someone has beaten your dog, too.
1] don't try to get her to come, and don't slap your thighs [ who knows what she associates slapping noises with! ] She will become more responsive with time.
2] don't try to pet her - don't even put your hand near her head, for now. She associates that hand with pain.
3] put her food down, say " pepper, food! " and walk away.
Let her eat in peace until she is more comfortable around you. Gradually work your [ only one person at a time! ] way closer to the food area over a week or so, as she gets used to you.
4] speak her name before every command " pepper, walk! "
" pepper, outside! " etc., and be consistent in all her training.
5] when she does come to you, say " pepper, good girl! "
As she stops crouching and squealing, she will learn you are the good guys, and become responsive and affectionate.
Good luck, and enjoy your liitle dog!

Answer 5

You should take her to the vet and have her checked out.