[Varien]

I've had a bunch of puppies throughout my life and this one takes the cake.

Adopted a 12 week old German/Husky mix puppy today. The one we were going to get got adopted right as we walked up and the one we got was her sister. She was very timid/shy/submissive with the rolling over. I decided I really liked her! It wasn't until I got her home I realized there was something wrong.

Usually you put a puppy down and it will explore or hide or something. I sat her in front of the couch and 20 minutes later she was still in the exact same spot. When I approached her she tried to jump under the couch and when I got closer she stopped like a brick.

It's not like a normal "OMG OMG OMG I"M SCARED" thing either. She has a normal heartbeat, not super fast like she's scared. It's just wierd.

Any ideas? I'd appreciate any opinions or requests for more information.

*More info*
-Her sister pups were really clean and happy/playful and she was dirty.
-They say she was Kettle trained, i'm sure they meant locked up since birth (I dont use or approve of Kettles personally)
-The adoption group was pretty shoddy, wont name names on the forum. They only asked like 2 questions and let us take the dog.
-She hasn't made a single noise since we got her, which is 5 hours and still no movement lol.

[bex29]

I would get her checked out medically first. If she is coming down with something or has something, that may be the cause. Otherwise genetics do play a part in how social a dog/pup will be. If you've ruled out anything medically wrong, just give her time. She'll need lots of love. She may have been very dependent on the other pups and now doesn't know what to do without them. Did you try a stuffed animal for her?

[Varien]

We have a 7 month old baby so there are stuffed animals everywhere, no reaction on those.

We were thinking of taking her to the vet on post in the next 2 or 3 days if she stays the same.

[bex29]

I'd plan to take her. Puppies can also have vaccine reactions if they gave her those (5 or 7 in ones are the worst.)

I would try holding her close to you and keep her in a small area like a bathroom so she isn't overwhelmed. Imagine coming from living in a crate to having a whole world opened up.

Give her time and I'm glad you adopted!

[Varien]

We pick her up and put her in our lap or next to us and she doesn't freak out. She'll put her head on your leg. At one point I did get a kiss on the hand during the car ride.

[Yogi]

I agree that she does need a vet check up which should be done to ensure she is healthy. The vaccinations are not going to cause this reaction. This is primarily linked to non socialization which unfortunately falls on you along with a great deal of time and patience. She is be reminded only 12 weeks old and therefore is still new to you and your home and surroundings. As well as being a breeder for over 50 years I have also worked with rescues and evaluated dogs that could be made available for adoption from young to old. This is typical of a pup that has had no hands on by people until now. Just be patient and let her do the initial introductions which will come in time and also prevent her from feeling intimidated. When you do have to reach for her, come in front not over the top of her. So she sees you more at her level.
Good luck.

[Varien]

Thank you all for the responses, we just got back from the vet.

The doctor there told us that she believes the puppy is actually 18 weeks old and in good health =)

So the dog is/might be considerably older then we thought she was which is fine. Hopefully some time and ALOT of love me and the wife have will get through to her.

Again, thank you all for the responses.

[Salamander]

Originally Posted by Varien

Thank you all for the responses, we just got back from the vet.

The doctor there told us that she believes the puppy is actually 18 weeks old and in good health =)

So the dog is/might be considerably older then we thought she was which is fine. Hopefully some time and ALOT of love me and the wife have will get through to her.

Again, thank you all for the responses.

I've dealt with a lot of abused rescues and some of them will simply psychologically "shut down" because stress has totally overwhelmed them.

You should attempt to interact with her in a non-threatening, detached way but I've had more success with simply letting the dog *be* until its acclimated to its surroundings and learned that no harm will come to it.

Being social pack animals, 99% of the time, curiosity will eventually get the better of them.

Our body language is not like theirs; a loving hug can seem like terrifying dominance behavior, to them.

A pat on the head is perceived as a threatening gesture, akin to a dam's disciplinary nips or a predator's fatal bite.
[stroke her gently under her chin and neck, instead]

Don't stare her in the face...it's threatening.

Do not ever "loom over her"...just sit down somewhere, facing parallel to her, not looking at her and wait to see if she makes any moves towards you.

If she does, resist your natural joyful impulses and do not over-react, i.e. praise, pat, hug, etc.

Just let her investigate you at first, as much or as little as she can abide with becoming frightened.

She needs to build her confidence up before you try and handle her beyond her ability to comfortably tolerate it.

Speak to her in high-pitched tones, only.
["Baby talk"]

As much as possible, go on about your daily routine, basically "ignoring" her for a while and she will become comfortable with your non-threatening presence and your body language will mimic that of an alpha dog....unconcerned, confident and above all, calm.

If you try and force her to interact too much, she may perceive your body language as indicating that there really is something to "fear".
[she will definitely 'smell your concern' and it may freak her out]

Plus, overwhelming her with your well-intentioned sympathy will only reward and reinforce her phobias.

I have never had this "dog language" approach fail me.

In fact, one time it, "back fired"....LOL

Pookie, the horribly abused Ibizan Hound came here acting like a wild deer.
She was insane with terror and would literally try to break through closed doors and windows if anyone got near her.

So, I just acted like she wasn't here at all.

Within 2 days, the loony dog was stuck to me like fly paper.
[and still is, to the point of 'obsessive devotion"]....


From what you wrote, I would bet money she's "shut down".

That kind of trauma must be overcome differently than all others.

I hope she snaps out of it.
I think she will, with time and the right 'talk'.

[howtodogtrainer]

so 50 posts before posting a link?? that sucks

[Lunareclipse]

Originally Posted by howtodogtrainer

so 50 posts before posting a link?? that sucks

People were coming on the site just to post their website so they can sell us junk that we already have 10 of, so we made that rule.

[howtodogtrainer]

would of loved to have shared a link to a wonderful tutorial on how to properly socialize your puppy with its new surroundings but i guess i need to reach 50 posts. A new environment can be very intimidating when bringing your puppy home for the first time. The best thing to do would be to start crate training right away so it has a spot where it surely feels safe, then begin to open up areas beyond its crate.

[cigwyllt]

Most people can find tutorials and articles easily enough on line. The point of a forum is to discuss ideas that have worked for individuals. There are lots of resources out there but when you post on a forum you have the benefit of being able to hold a conversation with other owners.