I just adopted a stray dog, and I can't get her to eat, drink, or use the bathroom when I take her outside.

Question

I just adopted a 1 year old hound and I am uncertain how to get her to do these things. She was rescued off the highway by someone else, and it is suspected she was mistreated. She is very nervous, and only likes to lay on the couch. She likes having me around and loves to be petted, but not much else. I take her outside on a leash to see if she will use the bathroom, and she won't. As soon as we come back inside she squats to go to the bathroom. She also has eaten very little and is not drinking water. Does anyone have any suggestions?

This has been going on for a day. I adopted her from the family who rescued her and they took her the vet and she had no problems. It's been 24 hours now, how long before I should take her to the vet?

Thanks for the help everyone. Yesterday afternoon(so when she had been with us for a day) she ate some and drank water, which was a relief. She seemed to be doing much better. In the middle of the night though she pooped blood so obviously I took her to the vet. Turns out the poor thing has hookworms and a mammary infection, but she is on the road to recovery now.

Answer 1

How long have you had her? It may take her a while to get comfortable with you. Some dogs will not use the bathroom if they are on a leash. Try taking her outside to a fenced in area and letting her off the leash. Or, maybe she was paper trained or crate trained. You can try putting down newspaper or puppy pads to see if she will use those. Talk to the shelter you got her from (if she came from a shelter) and see what type of food they were feeding her. I'm sure she will eat when she gets hungry enough. Until then you could try different types of food, and give her a small treat when she goes to the bathroom outside. So gets at least a little to eat. As far as the water goes, I saw a program on television where some dogs will only drink out of a running faucet. you could try that, they make water bowls that constantly pour and recirculate the water. Good luck with your new companion!

Answer 2

After she goes in the house, give her a stern "NO" and take her out side immediately. Tell her to "go potty" outside. (or whatever you would like to call it) Once she goes outside you can reward her with a treat. This may take some time and you have to do it at all hours.

If she is not eating or drinking, you should take here to a vet. Dogs can only survive a few days without water. She may need an IV to replenish fluids. Try giving her an ice cube. My dog loves to crunch on them. If she likes them, put a few in here water dish.

As for eating, try a different type of food. Maybe a soft food if you are currently feeding a kibble. This would only need to be temporary and then you could incorporate the hard food again once she begins to eat.

Answer 3

Congrats on the new addition. Glad you took her to the vet and found out what the problem was. With most rescued animals along comes issues. If you still seem to have problems with anything like the bathroom situation or anything else just be patient and keep working with her. Definitely start working on training with her now and it will make a huge difference in her. Hope she is beginning to feel a little better now that she is getting medication.

Answer 4

You know I find these types of forums very dangerous for answering certain pet questions and if Yahoo is smart, it will get a warning and disclaimer up quickly. All pet chats and forums are in deep "doo doo" if the US or Canadian SPCA or Humane Society finds out that they are allowing people to diagnose online and for very good reason.

A person should never resort to self-help where animal health is concerned. I have seen questions about fleas where idiots are telling people to spray their animals with Lysol! Talk about dangerous.

Having said that, if the poor dog is not drinking, it will become severely dehydrated, if it isn't already.

The animal sounds very unwell. My advice is to get this dog to a vet. Now.

Answer 5

If she's been mistreated that would probably explain the reason she refuses to go while on leash with you. If an owner "punishes" a dog for pooping/peeing in the house, it is very common for a dog to eventually refuse to poop/pee in front of anyone because they are afraid of being punished. This is one of the reasons one should never punish a dog for eliminating in the house: hit, spank, scream repeatedly, rub their nose in their own waste, etc.

Answer 6

before everything cats do get ill at times. it fairly is unusual that she nonetheless eats yet has no power to do her everyday issues. you could desire to attend and notice how she is going as she is eating and eating nonetheless. a stable thought is to call the vet and talk to somebody there. The nurse at my vet continuously provides me large propose on what i'm able to do at domicile after meaning that if that doesn't artwork to deliver her in to work out the vet. it rather is in basic terms a rapid telephone call in spite of the fact that it might desire to help your kitten and placed your recommendations at relax.

Answer 7

i would give it one more day and take it to the vet. sometimes it takes awhile for a pet to get use to it"s new home if a dog has been abuse it will take time just give it a lot of t.l.c. i think it will be OK. i take in animals that has been bad abuse and it takes me about a week working with them. i think you or a very good person to give a dog a good home threes so many dogs and cats without a home. maria.

Answer 8

did you have her checked by a vet? also it might take her some time to get used to her surroundings until she'll eat and drink like she should.. and maybe she wasn't an indoor dog so you'll have to house train her (which would be why she's peeing when you bring her in)

you are a good person for bringing her in just be patient and love her! :-))

Answer 9

When I first got my dog, he wouldn't "go" while on a leash.

Is your outside area an enclosed space? If so, maybe let her run freely and see. If it isn't an enclosed space, try wee-wee pads they sell in pets supplies store, and put them outside. Maybe she'll go on the pad outside, and you can slowly get her to go without them later.

And absolutely check with the vet about the water deal--too important to ignore.

Answer 10

reason can vairy but most likey the dog is it need of love and a protecter! To get her to eat try to tickle her taste buds by getting something yummy also the dog may not use the bathroom outside because she feels un safe try calming her down when she is outside!