New Foster Issues
Hi. I have been fostering dogs for a local rescue for about a year, and up until today, my fosters have been happy, loving dogs. Even the dog that had been locked up in a shed for four days (presumably for him to die, according to the local rescue where he originated) was a goofy delight.
I let them know I was ready to foster again, but instead of offering me the dogs I volunteered for, they asked if I would take a 2 yr old Chihuahua, who was seized, along with his sister, from an abusive household (possibly a backyard breeder/puppy mill situation). I said okay and they dropped him off a short while ago.
The dog is very nervous and shut down. He flattens to the ground if you get too close, will yelp if you touch him and turn to snap, sometimes, too.
I have four other dogs in my household - one Lab, two Mini Doxies and a Chi/JRT cross. They are loud, noisy and exuberent dogs, and though they all crowded around the foster when he came in (there was no way he was letting me pick him up to start a slow introduction) he doesn't seem overly fussed about them. He will try to get away from where they are, but if they come up for a sniff or two he's ok with them.
Never having cared for an abused dog before, can you folks give me any tips around having him settle in, or make it feel like a safe place for him to be? He is kennel trained so I will set up an open-doored crate for him, but I don't want to isolate him (or have him isolate himself) from me or the other dogs. I think once my other dogs get used to him in the house they will be good for him, showing him how to be a dog again and not some poor terrified pup.
Thank you ahead of time for any advice you can share!
I let them know I was ready to foster again, but instead of offering me the dogs I volunteered for, they asked if I would take a 2 yr old Chihuahua, who was seized, along with his sister, from an abusive household (possibly a backyard breeder/puppy mill situation). I said okay and they dropped him off a short while ago.
The dog is very nervous and shut down. He flattens to the ground if you get too close, will yelp if you touch him and turn to snap, sometimes, too.
I have four other dogs in my household - one Lab, two Mini Doxies and a Chi/JRT cross. They are loud, noisy and exuberent dogs, and though they all crowded around the foster when he came in (there was no way he was letting me pick him up to start a slow introduction) he doesn't seem overly fussed about them. He will try to get away from where they are, but if they come up for a sniff or two he's ok with them.
Never having cared for an abused dog before, can you folks give me any tips around having him settle in, or make it feel like a safe place for him to be? He is kennel trained so I will set up an open-doored crate for him, but I don't want to isolate him (or have him isolate himself) from me or the other dogs. I think once my other dogs get used to him in the house they will be good for him, showing him how to be a dog again and not some poor terrified pup.
Thank you ahead of time for any advice you can share!