Hi, this is my first time in the forum. I have recently rescued two 5year old Bichons who were surendered by a backyard breeder. They (Mickey and MInnie) have been abused, Mickey is afraid of men, loud noises, sudden movement, Minnie is not housebroken, Mickey has not had one accident since I brought him home. I have tried taking her out on a schedule which doesn't always work, treats for succeses. I have had them for 2 months. They are crate trained but I don't want to keep them in a crate all the time. Minnie can't be out of your sight, she will just pee whenever and wherever. Anyone have a similiar problem and what did you do?

[Yogi]

The one thing I can tell you from many years of experience in rescuing dogs and working with rescue organizations is "Patience" and more "Patience". Though each dog may be much alike their experiences in the past are considered baggage that they continue to carry around for some time months and on occasion years. There is a natural insecurity that only time can heel and by you just being there with them and them coming to the realization that this is home and they will not have to leave in many cases will be enough for them to start coming around. In other cases, patiently working with them as to gain their confidence and trust will be the key issues to work on. I currently have 18 dogs, of which 10 are rescues I have kept. In two cases if took me nearly a year. One was a former breeding puppymill female. She had never been socialized with other dogs or people. It was assumed that she was deaf but in fact she reacted totally as a pack dog finding the alpha and responding only to what the alpha did. She was not deaf but took several months to respond to a human voice and reacting to it. It was just a matter of patience and working with them in such a way that they will feel comfortable and not fearful as most of their attitude is based on prior interaction with people that simply was in most cases not good.