Anyone who has adopted a puppy mill survivor? Advice Needed

TIME. Lots of love and patience, and she'll be a GREAT dog. You can't rush dogs from these situations..... they need time to get used to being in a home, and being handled.

Socialize slowly, don't force them into situations - and things will go smoothly.

tzu_mom

We have just adopted a female puppy mill shih tzu---estimated to be around 4 years of age. 

Here is a recent thread on puppy mill survivors:  http://community.dog.com/forums/p/86404/678590.aspx

Sounds like you will have an easier task than many who adopt them.

Thanks, Erica-----We'll take it slow and steady.

Janet Rose, thanks for the link--very helpful.  She seems surprisingly well adjusted, considering.  She was not fond of going into the crate, though---no problem, I certainly won't force the issue, I took the crate pad out and placed it directly on the floor. She slept great through the night on her little "bed" and on the rug at the foot of the bed.  She does like to be near my other tzu, so far he's been so good with her---he sleeps on the rug at the foot of the bed, and in his crate, pretty much wherever he feels like for the evening.

She did actually take a treat from my hand, this morning. 

The bigger challenge will be getting her to to go up and down the stairs to go potty----we have a landing and four stairs to the patio which leads to the lawn----I've had to carry her down/up the stairs (not an easy feat, as she is still skittish about being picked up, but I'm already seeing a bit of improvement with that).

I guess she just need time and patience.

Thanks, again.

Since she's little you can gently carry her when things are just too new and overwhelming.  Where you draw the line is easy - if you are asking her to handle more than one new or almost new thing at once, try to cut one or more out.  Ie, don't ask her to do stairs AND walk on a leash at the same time.  Potty outside on a new surface while strangers are walking by.  Etc.

Don't rush putting weight on.  If she is healthy (ie, not in danger of brain damage from glucose starvation and not in ketosis), just offer her nourishing food and let nature do the rest.  She will have a long period where she is picky, usually, because ketosis makes them very nauseated and they associate food with that horrible feeling for a while.  Eventually her brain will catch up to the workings of her body that tell her that eating is a good thing to do when she is hungry!

Have a vet check her for sarcoptic (red) mange, if the rescue hasn't already had her checked.  It sounds like a mild case if it ever was one, but it is contagious and can be a little stubborn about flaring back up again (though nothing like demodex).  It could also be fly bites or even wear from her ears rubbing against the top of a too-small cage

Good luck and God bless you.  I'm getting antsy to take on a rescue now again.  After responding on two threads like this and after losing Ben, I want to see if anyone needs help with a puppymill dog - in honor of Ben. 

 Yes, we've had several of various sorts. 

 The tips of the ears could also be ringworm altho typically that's just "naked" ear tips and tips of toes. 

I'm going to second **DON'T** try to put weight on fast -- she's weak, and her frame can't even hold it.  Typically, once puppy mill survivors find they are 'safe' they have th opposite problem -- they'll eat EVERYTHING and not know when to stop -- they were often denied enough food and will eat anything and everything if it's around so don't over-feed and watch for poop-eating.

Stairs -- be *very* careful -- have the vet check her hips specifically.  It may hurt and for a small dog jumping off a step is like jumping off a 6' ledge to you or I.  Any way you can put down a board and give her a ramp for a while?

Keep it very slow and very positive.  Use your other dog to provide an "example" -- it's good for the other dog to be the object of approval (it really helps with jealousy issues) and it will help bond them.  Even just ordinary things "Wow -- look at Poochie go down those stairs!! GOOD boy!!!" or "Wooooowwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwww whatta GREAT Sit Poochie!!  Good boy!" (and he didn't even do it FOR the treat but it's an easy way to begin teaching things without trauma)

 don't push toys -- but if she takes to toys of *any* form that's a super good sign.  Depends on how healthy the "inner puppy" is to be honest. 

 I don't have any advice, but this thread is interesting. 

I also want to applaud you for taking this little girl on.  She's luck to have you.

Bless you for taking this little gal home. She'll come around, I have no doubt! You are doing the right things and taking it slowly.

The scabs on the ears very well could be fly bites, but I'm sure you'll have her checked out again anyway.

My elkhound was probably a puppymill dog, but I think he had a home of some sort after his first year. He's not what I'd call a puppymill survivor as he is pretty well-adjusted.

I've seen video of the mill dogs learning to walk after having been in crates all their lives! 

Lucky little girl to have her new home.  On the stair issue I second what Becca advised.  Also, if these are open stairs (space in between ) many dogs are hesitant at first.  Once she has settled in and is walking on a leash well she will probably be able to deal with the stairs if you let her go at her own pace.  My only other advice is not to "baby" her too much.  As CM likes to say "dogs live in the moment" and dogs do best if they are allowed to adjust slowly without a lot of fussing from the humans.

Good luck and it sounds like she will be fine!  Cheers to you for taking this dog even though she's not the dog you THOUGHT you wanted. LOL

I just wanted to say thanks for the advice and well wishes.  Though I don't have a lot of time to post on this board, I am always checking in and am always impressed by the wealth of knowledege, here.

It has been three weeks since we adopted our little girl.  She is doing so well---far beyond my expectations.  She did have a visit to the vet---she checked out great--no mange, no parasites, just a bit anemic---hips and knees are fine, but she is lacking muscle, so her gait is a bit "off".  We have already seen improvement in these three short weeks---we walk twice a day.  Her "scabbies" on the ears were most likely from fly bites and just a lot of built up dirt/grime.  Those are all gone (she has had four baths---Earthbath's lavender--tolerates the bath well) her skin and coat are no longer greasy--her ears and teeth need a bit of work, still, but all in due time.

 She is proving to be a quick study (as is my other tzu---smart, but stubborn!--love it.)  She has learned to walk on a collar and lead--knows sit, wait, and comes to a whistle--as does my other little guy.  She still has a bit of trouble going down stairs, but no trouble going up.  She is still a bit skittish around humans, but improves a little each day.  Rides well in the car, plays great with her brother--just these past few days, she has been acting so much like a puppy---energy, energy, energy!

She has been eating great, chewing bones/bullies---is not "guardy" over food or bones, but, shortly after coming to live with us, collected all soft toys, put them in her "bed" and was very snarky if we or the dog came near her bed when the toys were on it.  Not sure what that is all about, but I have removed all soft toys for now, and will re-introduce them at a later date.  No problems with balls, frisbees, or any other toys---just soft plushies.

Anyway, I just wanted to give a quick update-----she is doing just great.  I can't wait for her hair to grow in and get her in to full coat.

Thanks, again.

What good news!  Thanks for keeping us posted.

tzu_mom

...shortly after coming to live with us, collected all soft toys, put them in her "bed" and was very snarky if we or the dog came near her bed when the toys were on it.  Not sure what that is all about, but I have removed all soft toys for now, and will re-introduce them at a later date. 

I wonder if the stuffed toys are substitute "babies" for her. By the way, I think it's great that you adopted her!