Dog Community

What should we do?

Posted : 3/26/2007 7:37:56 AM

A few months ago we rescued a toy rat terrier (Gia) from a girl who purchased her from an amish puppy mill and wasn't able to take care of her. She is about 11 months old now. We had her for a couple of months and then found her a home that we thought would be perfect. They had another small dog that they took excellent care of and their vet references were great. My husband went over to check on her and found that they were treating her terribly. She was a nervous wreck. They were letting their other dog torment her mercilessly and they said that they really just thought she would be a great thing for their other dog to play with. It was almost like they just wanted a living toy to occupy their Parson Russel. My husband brought her back home with him that day and they didn't care a bit that we took her back.

She is here now and she just clings to us constantly. If one of my dogs come near her she starts growling and hides under a blanket. I have tried putting her in her crate so that she would feel safe but she just cries until we take her out and then she hides under a blanket again. I really want to help her since she really is a sweet girl. I know that she needs a home with someone who will just let her be the lap dog that she really wants to be and that has no small children (she isn't at all human aggressive but kids just seem to be to loud and hyper for her) or other dogs but I would like to help her be more adjusted before I place her with someone else. I am thinking of contacting the small breed rescue in my area and seeing if they may be able to find her a suitable lifetime home. She only weighs 7lbs and is so young to have to be so unhappy. I would just keep her now if I didn't have 3 other dogs, 2 of which are hyper puppies who really want to check her out and play with her. If anyone has any suggestions of how to help her relax and stop being so fearful I would love the help. If anyone has any suggestions on how to find her a great home that she can thrive in I would love to hear those as well. Thanks

g33

Posted : 3/26/2007 9:03:41 AM

Aww, poor kiddo. I think getting her into a socialization class would be great. Many trainers work with dog-dog fears, that would probably be something really beneficial to her!

ksags411

Posted : 3/26/2007 12:13:32 PM

What a cute little girl. I'm in love!

Where in NE Ohio are you? I'm in Cincinnati and would totally re-home that little girl. I have a toy fox terrier (male, 4 years old) who's fairly easy going and gets along with my sister's JRT well when they see one another. No kids, just me and the fiance. If you want to talk more, email me at [email=ksags@hotmail.com]ksags@hotmail.com[/email].

If you have any more pics, send them along. I know that face would melt anyone who saw it!

Emily Walker

Posted : 3/26/2007 6:14:38 PM

Awww...poor little pup! I hope you can rehome her into a good and LOVING home! How cool would it be if she could be rehomed with someone right here on the forum and close to where you live? At least we could all know she would be safe and very very happy!