Can Traumatized Dogs Overcome Their Fears and Bond with Their New Owners?

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A puppy was found shivering on a porch, clearly terrified and unresponsive to its rescuer. After being brought inside, the puppy showed signs of fear and reluctance to engage, only moving when left alone. The rescuer expressed uncertainty about wanting a dog, especially one that seemed to lack personality. However, as time passed, the puppy began to explore and even barked at a neighbor, indicating a developing bond. Suggestions were made to provide attention and care to help the puppy adjust, with some humor about the inevitability of forming an attachment. The puppy received its first bath, revealing its cuteness and prompting discussions about naming it. The overall sentiment shifted towards acceptance of the puppy as a new companion, with encouragement to continue nurturing its trust and well-being.
tribdog
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I stepped outside this morning and there was a little puppy on my porch. The poor thing was just shivering like crazy and obviously terrified of me. I got a blanket and wrapped it up and brought it inside. then i went to the store to get it some food. It was still wrapped up when I got back. I got it a bowl of food and some water, but it didn't move. So I went outside for a little while and when i came back it was standing by the food. It won't move if I'm in the room. It won't take a step, but when I leave and come back it is always somewhere else. It needs a bath really bad, but I don't want to traumatize it too much. I don't want a dog, especially one that has no personality. I can't even get this one to wag its tail or sniff my fingers. I don't know if it is just really scared right now or if it is permanently traumatized. I should just call the dog catcher right now, but I won't.
 
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Congratulations, you're a dog daddy now.
 
Jeeze trib, give the puppy some time, it sounds terrified. Depending on how old it is, it may never have eaten dog food before. I had one puppy that I had to soak the food in warm water then feed it by placing a bit of the moist food into it's mouth with my fingertip until it finally got the idea. It hadn't been weaned yet.
 
Counter-intuitively, it might respond better if you give it more attention than less. It may need to be assured that you're here to care for it. (This doesn't mean in the long-run, just enough to stabilize it.)
 
It would be different too if it was a cute dog. Its an ugly, dirty mutt with no personality. and I'm only saying this to try to convince myself of it. I don't want a dog. I shouldn't have picked it up and fed it. I can't even take care of myself what am I going to do with another mouth to feed.
 
Its just been laying in the corner of the room for the last hour, but every time there is a noise it looks up. I just made some squeaking noises and it looked at me and gave me that twisted face look. AHHHHHHHHH! it is being cute. dammit
 
tribdog said:
It would be different too if it was a cute dog. Its an ugly, dirty mutt with no personality. and I'm only saying this to try to convince myself of it. I don't want a dog. I shouldn't have picked it up and fed it. I can't even take care of myself what am I going to do with another mouth to feed.

Too late... you already started down the slippery slope. Before you know, it will be cute, clean enough to link your fingers while you're eating, and full of unanticipated spunk.

I was lucky... the only time something similar happened to me, I soon found a home for the kitten "Boom-boom Tycho Brache." Or was I lucky? Cha-cha (pictured in my avatar) and I were just starting to get used to him.

It just might turn out to be the best day... and you sound like you know this... :biggrin:
 
P.S. we will want pics of the twisted grin up here ASAP.
 
physics girl phd said:
P.S. we will want pics of the twisted grin up here ASAP.

Even better, I'll send you the puppy.
 
  • #10
tribdog said:
Its just been laying in the corner of the room for the last hour, but every time there is a noise it looks up. I just made some squeaking noises and it looked at me and gave me that twisted face look. AHHHHHHHHH! it is being cute. dammit

Too late.

Better to just go get a 50 lb bag of dog chow and stop fighting it.
 
  • #11
well, it took a nap. and then woke up and ate all the food. I went outside and it was the open door that did the trick. the puppy followed me as I walked around. when I came back inside it came in. but as soon as I shut the door it froze up. now I'm sitting inside with the door open and she is running all over the place. she runs out then comes in and explores inside then runs back out. I have to leave the door open though or she freezes up again. I'll probably lose her leaving the door open, but she's not mine anyway.
 
  • #12
tribdog, for crying out loud - pick up that dog and cuddle it!
 
  • #13
she'd probably give me fleas
 
  • #14
Stop fighting it trib. You know you want to keep it.
 
  • #15
I went for a walk and she followed right behind me. Then one of my neighbors came out and walked up to me and the puppy jumped in front of me and barked at her.
 
  • #16
Congratulations, you now have a dog!

Can you tell what the predominant breed is?
 
  • #17
tribdog said:
I went for a walk and she followed right behind me. Then one of my neighbors came out and walked up to me and the puppy jumped in front of me and barked at her.

She's your companion now.
 
  • #18
Evo said:
Congratulations, you now have a dog!

Can you tell what the predominant breed is?
I can't tell for sure. If I had to guess I'd say rat.
 
  • #19
Are you sure it's not a rat?
 
  • #20
tribdog said:
I can't tell for sure. If I had to guess I'd say rat.

rat terrier?
 
  • #21
Photo002.jpg
 
  • #22
Is anyone here concerned about where this puppy came from?
 
  • #23
Didn't your parents have this talk with you?
 
  • #24
OMG, she's adorable!
 
  • #25
want her? I'll put her in a shoebox and overnight her to you.
 
  • #26
Keep her trib.
 
  • #27
tribdog said:
want her? I'll put her in a shoebox and overnight her to you.
Yes, I do want her, I wish I could take her, but I already my 2 pet limit. :frown:
 
  • #28
I wish I could have this dog too.
 
  • #29
I'm going to feel so bad putting her to sleep.
 
  • #30
GCT said:
Is anyone here concerned about where this puppy came from?
You see, when a boy dog and a girl dog fall in love...
 
  • #31
GCT said:
Is anyone here concerned about where this puppy came from?

DaveC426913 said:
You see, when a boy dog and a girl dog fall in love...

... and get married. You can't leave out the most important part. Total abstinence until they're married.
 
  • #32
Only you would know best, you half to give the puppy up. Give it a bath before taking it to a shelter, it may up its chance for adoption. It looks like its going to be small{and OMG is it cute}, so it may stand a good chance. You may also want to check out places like this{below} that may not put strays down.

http://muttcats.com/shelters/arizona.htmThank you for taking care of it, for right now. You did good.
 
  • #33
BobG said:
... and get married. You can't leave out the most important part. Total abstinence until they're married.

DaveC426913 said:
You see, when a boy dog and a girl dog fall in love...

tribdog said:
Didn't your parents have this talk with you?

C'mon guys ...
 
  • #34
She just got her first bath. I love dogs when they get out of the tub and they do that run around the house of joy. The water was BLACK when we were done. I need to wash her face a bit better, but on the whole she looks a lot better. I need to name her now. Hypatia maybe? Evo? Hmmm C'mere Moonbear. Sit Evo!
 
  • #35
tribdog said:
She just got her first bath. I love dogs when they get out of the tub and they do that run around the house of joy. The water was BLACK when we were done. I need to wash her face a bit better, but on the whole she looks a lot better. I need to name her now. Hypatia maybe? Evo? Hmmm C'mere Moonbear. Sit Evo!

So she has been wandering around for some time , rolling around in mud and dung ... but why in the hell did she choose your doorstep out of all of the others?

Destiny.
 
  • #36
smell of more dung to roll around in I suppose
 
  • #37
tribdog said:
smell of more dung to roll around in I suppose

Exactly.
 
  • #38
I'd be willing to bet this dog has never had its tummy rubbed before. She thought I was going to hit her every time I reached towards her, but once she figured out I wasn't going to hurt her she loved it. She fell right asleep.
 
  • #39
Sounds like you have a new pet.
 
  • #40
No, as soon as she fell asleep I strangled her. Problem solved.
 
  • #41
tribdog said:
She just got her first bath. I love dogs when they get out of the tub and they do that run around the house of joy. The water was BLACK when we were done. I need to wash her face a bit better, but on the whole she looks a lot better. I need to name her now. Hypatia maybe? Evo? Hmmm C'mere Moonbear. Sit Evo!

My dog runs around and rolls around in her bed after she gets a bath. She goes nuts.
 
  • #42
There should be other options besides the pound, but I think you just made the vital mistake of wanting to name her. She is staying, and you know it!

Congratulations, she is cute.
 
  • #43
Congratulations on your new pet. Everyone knows you can't turn down a stray!
 
  • #44
Aww, congratulations on adopting a cute doggy! She may have been abused, which might explain why she cowers with closed doors or if you reach for her. I agree with the advice to give her more attention, hold her, be gentle, pet her, give her little treats, get her used to the idea that human interaction is a really good thing. It sounds like she's already claimed you as hers.
 
  • #45
My family adopted a stray dog. Friendliest dog in the world, but very wild and craves attention. He loves to be petted but if you so much as look at his right hip he goes crazy, yelping up a storm.
 
  • #46
I hope you can find a way to keep her. Doggy Daddy's are so cool.
 

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